21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
21 For his eyes H5869 are upon the ways H1870 of man, H376 and he seeth H7200 all his goings. H6806
22 There is no darkness, H2822 nor shadow of death, H6757 where the workers H6466 of iniquity H205 may hide H5641 themselves.
23 For he will not lay H7760 upon man H376 more than right; that he should enter H1980 into judgment H4941 with God. H410
24 He shall break in pieces H7489 mighty men H3524 without number, H2714 and set H5975 others H312 in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth H5234 their works, H4566 and he overturneth H2015 them in the night, H3915 so that they are destroyed. H1792
26 He striketh H5606 them as H8478 wicked men H7563 in the open H4725 sight H7200 of others;
27 Because they turned back H5493 from him, H310 and would not consider H7919 any of his ways: H1870
28 So that they cause the cry H6818 of the poor H1800 to come H935 unto him, and he heareth H8085 the cry H6818 of the afflicted. H6041
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men `in ways' past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.
25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:
28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.
21 For His eyes `are' on the ways of each, And all his steps He doth see.
22 There is no darkness nor death-shade, For workers of iniquity to be hidden there;
23 For He doth not suffer man any more, To go unto God in judgment,
24 He breaketh the mighty -- no searching! And He appointeth others in their stead.
25 Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they are bruised.
26 As wicked He hath stricken them, In the place of beholders.
27 Because that against right They have turned aside from after Him, And none of His ways have considered wisely,
28 To cause to come in unto Him The cry of the poor, And the cry of the afflicted He heareth.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before ùGod in judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, He sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned aside from following him, And wouldn't have regard in any of his ways:
28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, He heard the cry of the afflicted.
21 For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no dark place, and no thick cloud, in which the workers of evil may take cover.
23 For he does not give man a fixed time to come before him to be judged.
24 He sends the strong to destruction without searching out their cause, and puts others in their place.
25 For he has knowledge of their works, overturning them in the night, so that they are crushed.
26 The evil-doers are broken by his wrath, he puts his hand on them with force before the eyes of all onlookers.
27 Because they did not go after him, and took no note of his ways,
28 So that the cry of the poor might come up to him, and the prayer of those in need come to his ears.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Job 34
Commentary on Job 34 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 34
Job 34:1-37.
1. answered—proceeded.
2. This chapter is addressed also to the "friends" as the thirty-third chapter to Job alone.
3. palate—(See on Job 12:11; Job 33:2).
4. judgment—Let us select among the conflicting sentiments advanced, what will stand the test of examination.
5. judgment—my right. Job's own words (Job 13:18; 27:2).
6. Were I to renounce my right (that is, confess myself guilty), I should die. Job virtually had said so (Job 27:4, 5; 6:28). Maurer, not so well, "Notwithstanding my right (innocence) I am treated as a liar," by God, by His afflicting me.
my wound—literally, "mine arrow," namely, by which I am pierced. So "my stroke" ("hand," Job 23:2, Margin). My sickness (Job 6:4; 16:13).
without transgression—without fault of mine to deserve it (Job 16:17).
7. (Job 15:16). Image from the camel.
scorning—against God (Job 15:4).
8. Job virtually goes in company (makes common cause) with the wicked, by taking up their sentiments (Job 9:22, 23, 30; 21:7-15), or at least by saying, that those who act on such sentiments are unpunished (Mal 3:14). To deny God's righteous government because we do not see the reasons of His acts, is virtually to take part with the ungodly.
9. with God—in intimacy (Ps 50:18, Margin).
10. The true answer to Job, which God follows up (Job 38:1-41). Man is to believe God's ways are right, because they are His, not because we fully see they are so (Ro 9:14; De 32:4; Ge 18:25).
11. Partly here; fully, hereafter (Jer 32:19; Ro 2:6; 1Pe 1:17; Re 22:12).
12. (Job 8:3). In opposition to Job, Job 34:5, will not—cannot.
13. If the world were not God's property, as having been made by Him, but committed to His charge by some superior, it might be possible for Him to act unjustly, as He would not thereby be injuring Himself; but as it is, for God to act unjustly would undermine the whole order of the world, and so would injure God's own property (Job 36:23).
disposed—hath founded (Isa 44:7), established the circle of the globe.
14, 15. "If He were to set His heart on man," either to injure him, or to take strict account of his sins. The connection supports rather [Umbreit], "If He had regard to himself (only), and were to gather unto Himself (Ps 104:29) man's spirit, &c. (which he sends forth, Ps 104:30; Ec 12:7), all flesh must perish together," &c. (Ge 3:19). God's loving preservation of His creatures proves He cannot be selfish, and therefore cannot be unjust.
16. In Job 34:2, Elihu had spoken to all in general, now he calls Job's special attention.
17. "Can even He who (in thy view) hateth right (justice) govern?" The government of the world would be impossible if injustice were sanctioned. God must be just, because He governs (2Sa 23:3).
govern—literally, "bind," namely, by authority (so "reign," 1Sa 9:17, Margin). Umbreit translates for "govern, repress wrath, namely, against Job for his accusations.
most just—rather, "Him who is at once mighty and just" (in His government of the world).
18. Literally, (Is it fit) to be said to a king? It would be a gross outrage to reproach thus an earthly monarch, much more the King of kings (Ex 22:28). But Maurer with the Septuagint and Vulgate reads, (It is not fit to accuse of injustice Him) who says to a king, Thou art wicked; to princes, Ye are ungodly; that is, who punishes impartially the great, as the small. This accords with Job 34:19.
19. (Ac 10:34; 2Ch 19:7; Pr 22:2; Job 31:15).
20. they—"the rich" and "princes" who offend God.
the people—namely, of the guilty princes: guilty also themselves.
at midnight—image from a night attack of an enemy on a camp, which becomes an easy prey (Ex 12:29, 30).
without hand—without visible agency, by the mere word of God (so Job 20:26; Zec 4:6; Da 2:34).
21. God's omniscience and omnipotence enable Him to execute immediate justice. He needs not to be long on the "watch," as Job thought (Job 7:12; 2Ch 16:9; Jer 32:19).
22. shadow of death—thick darkness (Am 9:2, 3; Ps 139:12).
23. (1Co 10:13; La 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, Ge 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.
24. break in pieces—(Ps 2:9; Job 12:18; Da 2:21).
25. 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.
26. He striketh them—chasteneth.
as—that is, because they are wicked.
sight of others—Sinners hid themselves in darkness; therefore they are punished before all, in open day. Image from the place of public execution (Job 40:12; Ex 14:30; 2Sa 12:12).
27, 28. The grounds of their punishment in Job 34:26. Job 34:28 states in what respect they "considered not God's ways," namely, by oppression, whereby "they caused the cry," &c.
29. (Pr 16:7; Isa 26:3).
make trouble—rather, "condemn" (Ro 8:33, 34). Maurer, from the reference being only to the godless, in the next clause, and Job 34:20 translates, "When God keeps quiet" (leaves men to perish) Ps 83:1; [Umbreit] from the Arabic (strikes to the earth), "who shall condemn Him as unjust?" Job 34:17.
hideth … face—(Job 23:8, 9; Ps 13:1).
it be done—Whether it be against a guilty nation (2Ki 18:9-12) or an individual, that God acts so.
30. Ensnared—into sin (1Ki 12:28, 30). Or rather, "enthralled by further oppression," Job 34:26-28.
31. Job accordingly says so (Job 40:3-5; Mic 7:9; Le 26:41). It was to lead him to this that Elihu was sent. Though no hypocrite, Job, like all, had sin; therefore through affliction he was to be brought to humble himself under God. All sorrow is a proof of the common heritage of sin, in which the godly shares; and therefore he ought to regard it as a merciful correction. Umbreit and Maurer lose this by translating, as the Hebrew will bear, "Has any a right to say to God, I have borne chastisement and yet have not sinned?" (so Job 34:6).
borne—namely, the penalty of sin, as in Le 5:1, 17.
offend—literally, "to deal destructively or corruptly" (Ne 1:7).
32. (Job 10:2; Ps 32:8; 19:12; 139:23, 24).
no more—(Pr 28:13; Eph 4:22).
33. Rather, "should God recompense (sinners) according to thy mind? Then it is for thee to reject and to choose, and not me" [Umbreit]; or as Maurer, "For thou hast rejected God's way of recompensing; state therefore thy way, for thou must choose, not I," that is, it is thy part, not mine, to show a better way than God's.
34, 35. Rather, "men … will say to me, and the wise man (Job 34:2, 10) who hearkens to me (will say), 'Job hath spoken,'" &c.
36. Margin, not so well, "My father," Elihu addressing God. This title does not elsewhere occur in Job.
tried—by calamities.
answers for wicked men—(See on Job 34:8). Trials of the godly are not removed until they produce the effect designed.
37. clappeth … hands—in scorn (Job 27:23; Eze 21:17).
multiplieth … words—(Job 11:2; 35:16). To his original "sin" to correct which trials have been sent, "he adds rebellion," that is, words arraigning God's justice.