Read Job chapter 34 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 34 is part of “Elihu's Speeches” (32–37) in the outline of Job.
Job 34 summary
Elihu, it is likely, paused awhile, to see if Job had any thing to say against his discourse in the foregoing chapter; but he sitting silent, and it is likely intimating his desire that he would go on, he here proceeds. And, I. He bespeaks not only the audience, but the assistance of the company (Job 34:2-4). II. He charges Job with some more indecent expressions that had dropped from him (Job 34:5-9). III. He undertakes to convince him that he had spoken amiss, by showing very fully, 1. God's incontestable justice (Job 34:10-12, Job 34:17, Job 34:19, Job 34:23). 2. His sovereign dominion (Job 34:13-15). 3. His almighty power (Job 34:20, Job 34:24). 4. His omniscience (Job 34:21, Job 34:22, Job 34:25). 5. His severity against sinners (Job 34:26-28). 6. His overruling providence (Job 34:29, Job 34:30). IV. He teaches him what he should say (Job 34:31, Job 34:32). And then, lastly, he leaves the matter to Job's own conscience, and concludes with a sharp reproof of him for his peevishness and discontent (Job 34:33-37). All this Job not only bore patiently, but took kindly, because he saw that Elihu meant well; and, whereas his other friends had accused him of that from which his own conscience acquitted him, Elihu charged him with that only for which, it is probable, his own heart, now upon the reflection, began to smite him.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 Moreover Elihu answered,
2 “Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
8 who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
9 For 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.