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Job Chapter 34

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 37 Verses

What is Job 34 about?

The suffering of a righteous man and the profound questions it raises about God's justice, sovereignty, and human understanding. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
4Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right:
6Notwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; My wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression.
7What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,
8Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men?
9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.
10Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.
12Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
14If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.
16If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.
17Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?-
18[Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked;
19That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
20In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.
21For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
22There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
24He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.
25Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:
28So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether [it be done] unto a nation, or unto a man:
30That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people.
31For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:
32That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?
33Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest.
34Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me:
35Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.
36Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.
37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Furthermore Elihu answered and said.] It is reasonable to suppose that Elihu made a considerable pause, to see whether Job would make any reply to what he had delivered, or object to what he had said; which he gave him free liberty to do, if he had anything upon his mind: but perceiving he was not inclined to return any answer to him, he went on with his discourse; and which is called a further answer to him: for though John had made no reply to which this could be called an answer, yet as there were several things remaining for Elihu to answer to, and which he proposed to answer and did, it may with great…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Job 34:1-37) answered--proceeded.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Furthermore, Elihu answered and said - That is, evidently, after a pause to see if Job had anything to reply. The word answered in the Scriptures often means “to begin a discourse,” though nothing had been said by others; see Job 3:2; Isaiah 14:10; Zechariah 1:10; Zechariah 3:4; Zechariah 4:11-12. Sometimes it is used with reference to a subject, meaning that one replied to what could be suggested on the opposite side. Here it maybe understood either in the general sense of beginning a discourse, or more probably as replying to the sentiments which Job had advanced in the debate with his friends. return to 'Top…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Ear - The ear, is put for the mind to which things are conveyed by it. Job 34:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 3
“34:3-4 ear tests . . . mouth distinguishes: Elihu echoed Job’s earlier complaint about the other counselors’ weak argument that “wisdom belongs to the aged” (12:11-12; see 6:30; Heb 5:14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 2
“Pro 1:5; Co1 10:15, Co1 14:20 Job 34:3”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“1 Then began Elihu and said: 2 Hear, ye wise men, my words, And ye experienced ones, give ear to me! 3 For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth by eating. 4 Let us find out what is right, Let us explore among ourselves what is good. After his first speech Elihu has made a brief pause; now since Job is silent, he begins anew. ויען ויאמר, lxx correctly, here as in all other instances where the phrase occurs: ὑπολαβὼν λέγει, taking up the word he said. The wise and the knowing (Arab. ‛ulamâ), whose attention he bespeaks, are not Job and the three (Umbr., Hahn), who are indeed a party, and as such a…”
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