The big picture
Job 34 opens in verse 1 with “Furthermore Elihu answered and said,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 19 with “How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich…”, and closes in verse 37 with “For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth…” Repeated or prominent terms include words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Job · King James Version · 37Job 34:1-8
1–8: Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
Job 34:1–8 opens with “Furthermore Elihu answered and said,” and reaches “Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 34 develops its own movement around words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken, with particular weight carried by judgment, words, choose.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Job 34:1-8
King James Version1Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
6Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
Job 34:9-16
9–16: For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight…
Job 34:9–16 opens with “For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.” and reaches “If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 34 develops its own movement around words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken, with particular weight carried by Almighty, hearken, understanding.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Job 34:9-16
King James Version9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Job 34:17-24
17–24: Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that…
Job 34:17–24 opens with “Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?” and reaches “He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 34 develops its own movement around words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken, with particular weight carried by mighty, princes, right.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Job 34:17-24
King James Version17Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
Job 34:25-32
25–32: Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night…
Job 34:25–32 opens with “Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are…” and reaches “That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 34 develops its own movement around words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken, with particular weight carried by afflicted, back, borne.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Job 34:25-32
King James Version25Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Job 34:33-37
33–37: Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou…
Job 34:33–37 opens with “Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou…” and reaches “For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 34 develops its own movement around words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken, with particular weight carried by words, addeth, answers.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Job 34:33-37
King James Version33Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Job 34:1 begins with “Furthermore Elihu answered and said,”
Where the chapter turns
Job 34:19 forms a natural hinge: “How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.”
The final note
Job 34:37 leaves the reader with “For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words words, iniquity, judgment, wicked, hearken, right help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How is religion misused in this chapter?
Circumcision is proposed deceptively to make the city vulnerable.
What later passage evaluates Simeon and Levi's violence?
Genesis 49:5-7 condemns their fierce anger and cruel wrath.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.