Job 34:25

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 34:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Job 34:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore he knoweth their works, etc.] Being God omniscient, or rather takes notice of them, weighs and considers them, and gives to man according to them; or rather makes them known, for of his omniscience Elihu had spoken before; he makes them known to themselves, fastens convictions of their evil ways and works on their consciences, and obliges them to confess them, as the instances of Cain, Pharaoh, and others, show; and he makes them known to others by the judgment he executes, as on the old world, Sodom and Gomorrah; and the works of all will be made manifest at the day of judgment; and he overturneth [them] in the night; literally taken, as the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain…”
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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
“Therefore--because He knows all things (Job 34:21). He knows their works, without a formal investigation (Job 34:24). in the night--suddenly, unexpectedly (Job 34:20). Fitly in the night, as it was in it that the godless hid themselves (Job 34:22). UMBREIT, less simply, for "overturneth," translates, "walketh"; that is, God is ever on the alert, discovering all wickedness.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore he knoweth their works - Or, “Because he knoweth their works.” The word (לכן lākên) here rendered “therefore” is evidently used as denoting that since or because he was intimately acquainted with all which they did, he could justly bring vengeance upon them without long investigation. And he overturneth them in the night - literally, “he turneth night;” meaning, probably, he turns night upon them; that is, he brings calamity upon them. The word “night” is often used to denote calamity, or ruin. Umbreit understands it in the sense of “turning about the night;” that is, that they had covered up their deeds as in the night, but that God “so turns the night about” as to bring them to…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he knoweth: Psa 33:15; Isa 66:18; Hos 7:2; Amo 8:7; Rev 20:12 in the: Job 34:20; Sol 3:8; Isa 15:1; Th1 5:2 destroyed: Heb. crushed Job 34:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification