Read & explore together
Elihu Confirms God’s Justice
Elihu answers with a firm defence of God’s justice. He asks listeners to test words carefully, then argues that God does not do wickedness, sees every human way, and deserves a humble response.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is wisdom and dialogue. Elihu speaks to wise hearers, repeats what he says Job has claimed, and then builds his case that God rules the world justly, knows human actions fully, and is not partial between great and small.
Job 34:1–37Main takeaway
In this speech, Elihu argues that God does not twist justice and that people should respond with humility and teachability.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Test the wordsElihu begins by asking wise and knowledgeable people to listen. He says the ear tests words as the palate tastes food, so his hearers should weigh what is said.
02Elihu’s central claim about GodElihu says Job has spoken as though God took away his right and as though delighting in God brings no profit.
Explanation
Elihu says Job has spoken as though God took away his right and as though delighting in God brings no profit. Elihu rejects that strongly. He says wickedness is far from God, and that God gives to each person according to that person’s work and ways.
03God rules all without favouritismElihu argues that no one put God in charge of the earth. Human life depends on him, and if he gathered back spirit and breath, people would return to dust.
04Nothing is hidden, so learn humblyElihu says God sees every way a person takes, and no darkness can hide evildoers. He hears the cry of the afflicted when people ignore his ways.
Explanation
Elihu says God sees every way a person takes, and no darkness can hide evildoers. He hears the cry of the afflicted when people ignore his ways. Near the end, Elihu presents a fitting response: admit guilt, ask to be taught, and turn from iniquity rather than speaking against God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Elihu compare the ear to the palate at the start of his speech?
02Which verses state Elihu’s main argument that God is just?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 34:1–37
1Moreover Elihu answered,
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.”