Read Job chapter 35 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 35 is part of “Elihu's Speeches” (32–37) in the outline of Job.
Job 35 summary
Job being still silent, Elihu follows his blow, and here, a third time, undertakes to show him that he had spoken amiss, and ought to recant. Three improper sayings he here charges him with, and returns answer to them distinctly: - I. He had represented religion as an indifferent unprofitable thing, which God enjoins for his own sake, not for ours; Elihu evinces the contrary (Job 35:1-8). II. He had complained of God as deaf to the cries of the oppressed, against which imputation Elihu here justifies God (Job 35:9-13). III. He had despaired of the return of God's favour to him, because it was so long deferred, but Elihu shows him the true cause of the delay (Job 35:14-16).
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 “Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
3 that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’
4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.
5 Look to the skies, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
9 “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.
14 How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance,
16 therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”