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Job 34

Elihu defends God’s justice and rule over all people, then uses that defense to bring severe charges against Job.

Elihu addresses the wise men listening to Job’s dispute and asks them to weigh his words. He recounts Job’s claim that God has denied him justice, then argues that the Almighty cannot do wrong. God sustains every life, sees every deed, and judges rulers without favoring wealth or rank. Elihu closes by accusing Job of speaking without knowledge and adding rebellion to his sin. These charges belong to Elihu’s speech; Job does not answer here.

injustice and angerdoubtsermon or Bible study notes
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2“Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
4Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
6Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
7What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
8who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
10“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11For the work of a man he will give to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
15all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
17Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
19He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect 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. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
22There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
24He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
25Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
29When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,
30that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
33Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
34Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
35‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
36I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
37For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Job 34:21God’s sight reaches every human action, grounding Elihu’s claim that no wrongdoing escapes divine judgment.
Job 34:29Elihu places nations and individuals under God’s rule, beyond anyone’s power to overturn his quietness or concealment.
Job 34:19Rich and poor share one Maker, so wealth and rank carry no privilege before God’s judgment.
Where this chapter reaches

Psalm and Proverbs share this chapter’s themes of God seeing human conduct, hearing the afflicted, and judging without favor toward the rich. Romans shares the theme of judgment according to deeds and without partiality, while Hebrews also speaks of human life exposed to God’s sight.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

Where does Elihu move from describing God’s justice to making claims about Job?

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What does God’s equal regard for rich and poor challenge in your view of status?

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Questions people ask about Job 34

Who is speaking in Job 34?

Elihu speaks throughout Job 34. He addresses men he calls wise and knowledgeable, asks them to assess Job’s claims, and at points addresses Job. His speech defends God’s justice and ends with a harsh verdict on Job’s words. Neither Job nor God speaks in this chapter.

Is Elihu right about Job in Job 34?

Elihu affirms that God does no wrong, shows no favoritism, and sees all human conduct. He also accuses Job of rebellion and speaking like wicked men. The chapter records those accusations without a narrator’s verdict on them. His claims about God and his judgment of Job require separate attention.

What does Job 34:29 mean?

Elihu says that no one can challenge God when he grants quietness or force access when he hides his face. The verse extends this rule to both a nation and an individual. In context, it belongs to Elihu’s argument that God governs rulers and peoples beyond human control.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).