Job 34:23

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 34:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
Job 34:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For he will not lay upon man more [than right], etc.] Neither in a way of duty, his law being holy, just, and good, not any of his commandments grievous, but all his precepts concerning all things right, his yoke easy and his burden light; nor in a way of punishment, always punishing then less than their iniquities deserve; nor in a way of chastisement, suffering nothing to befall his people but what is common to men; and he is faithful to bear them up under it and through it, and to make a way to escape out of it: or the phrase, “than right”, being a supplement, may be left out, and the words be connected with what follows, that he should enter into judgment with God; and the sense is,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Co1 10:13; Lam 3:32; Isa 27:8). Better, as UMBREIT, "He does not (needs not to) regard (as in Job 34:14; Isa 41:20) man long (so Hebrew, Gen 46:29) in order that he may go (be brought by God) into judgment." Literally, "lest his (attention) upon men" (Job 11:10-11). So Job 34:24, "without number" ought to be translated, "without [needing any] searching out," such as has to be made in human judgments.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For he will not lay upon man more than right - Very various translations have been given of this verse. According to our common version, it means that God will not deal with man in such a manner as to give him just reason for calling in question the rectitude of the divine dealings. He shall in no case receive more than his sins deserve, so as to give him cause for complaint. This is undoubtedly a correct sentiment; but it may be doubted whether it is the sense conveyed by the original. Umbreit renders it: Denn er braucht auf einem Mann nicht lang zu achten Um ihm vor Gott in das Gericht zn ziehen. “For he needs not long to regard a man in order to bring him before God in judgment” - meaning…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“34:23 We don’t set the time: Elihu rejected Job’s wish for a quick (21:19), published time of judgment (24:1).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he will: Job 34:10-12, Job 11:6; Ezr 9:13; Psa 119:137; Isa 42:3; Dan 9:7-9 that he: Job 9:32, Job 9:33, Job 16:21, Job 23:7; Jer 2:5; Rom 9:20 enter: Heb. go Job 34:24”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification