Logos Bible Study

Job 34:31–37

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Job Is Foolish to Rebel

34:31“Has anyone said to God,

‘I have endured chastisement,54

but I will not act wrongly any more.

34:32Teach me what I cannot see.55

If I have done evil, I will do so no more.’

34:33Is it your opinion56 that God57 should recompense it,

because you reject this?58

But you must choose, and not I,

so tell us what you know.

34:34Men of understanding say to me—

any wise man listening to me says—

34:35that59 Job speaks without knowledge

and his words are without understanding.60

34:36But61 Job will be tested to the end,

because his answers are like those of wicked men.

34:37For he adds transgression62 to his sin;

in our midst he claps his hands,63

and multiplies his words against God.”

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Footnotes

  1. 54 The Hebrew text has only “I lift up” or “I bear” (= I endure). The reading “I have been led astray” is obtained by changing the vowels to read a passive. If the is retained, an object has to be supplied, such as “chastisement” (so , ) or “punishment” (). If not, then a different reading would be followed (e.g., “I was misguided” []; “I am guilty” []).
  2. 55 Heb “what I do not see,” more specifically, “apart from [that which] I see.”
  3. 56 Heb “is it from with you,” an idiomatic expression meaning “to suit you” or “according to your judgment.”
  4. 57 Heb “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  5. 58 There is no object on the verb, and the meaning is perhaps lost. The best guess is that Elihu is saying Job has rejected his teaching.
  6. 59 Adding “that” in the translation clarifies Elihu’s indirect citation of the wise individuals’ words.
  7. 60 The Hiphil infinitive construct is here functioning as a substantive. The word means “prudence; understanding.”
  8. 61 The reads אָבִי (’avi, “my father”), which makes no sense. Some follow the and emend the word to make a verb “I desire” or use the noun “my desire of it.” Others follow an Arabic word meaning “entreat, I pray” (cf. ESV, “Would that Job were tried”). The and the versions have “but” and “surely” respectively. Since this is the only support, albeit weak, it may be the best choice. In this sense Elihu would be saying that because of Job’s attitude God will continue to test him.
  9. 62 Although frequently translated “rebellion,” the basic meaning of this Hebrew term is “transgression.”
  10. 63 If this reading stands, it would mean that Job shows contempt, meaning that he mocks them and accuses God. It is a bold touch, but workable. Of the many suggested emendations, Dhorme alters some of the vowels and obtains a reading “and casts doubt among us,” and then takes “transgression” from the first colon for the complement. Some commentators simply delete the line.

The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“For has anyone said to God,

‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;

teach me what I do not see;

if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Will he then make repayment to suit you,

because you reject it?

For you must choose, and not I;

therefore declare what you know.

Men of understanding will say to me,

and the wise man who hears me will say:

‘Job speaks without knowledge;

his words are without insight.’

Would that Job were tried to the end,

because he answers like wicked men.

For he adds rebellion to his sin;

he claps his hands among us

and multiplies his words against God.”

Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Suppose someone says to God,

‘I am guilty but will offend no more.

Teach me what I cannot see;

if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’

Should God then reward you on your terms,

when you refuse to repent?

You must decide, not I;

so tell me what you know.

“Men of understanding declare,

wise men who hear me say to me,

‘Job speaks without knowledge;

his words lack insight.’

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost

for answering like a wicked man!

To his sin he adds rebellion;

scornfully he claps his hands among us

and multiplies his words against God.”

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Suppose someone says to God,

“I have endured my punishment;

I will no longer act wickedly.

Teach me what I cannot see;

if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”

Should God repay you on your terms

when you have rejected his?

You must choose, not I!

So declare what you know.

Reasonable men will say to me,

along with the wise men who hear me,

“Job speaks without knowledge;

his words are without insight.”

If only Job were tested to the limit,

because his answers are like those of wicked men.

For he adds rebellion to his sin;

he scornfully claps in our presence,

while multiplying his words against God.

Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

NLTNew Living Translation

“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned,

but I will sin no more’?

Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me.

If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

“Must God tailor his justice to your demands?

But you have rejected him!

The choice is yours, not mine.

Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

After all, bright people will tell me,

and wise people will hear me say,

‘Job speaks out of ignorance;

his words lack insight.’

Job, you deserve the maximum penalty

for the wicked way you have talked.

For you have added rebellion to your sin;

you show no respect,

and you speak many angry words against God.”

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Indeed, does anyone say to God, ‘I have endured chastisement;

I will not act corruptly again;

teach me yourself what I cannot see;

if I have done wrong, I will not repeat it’?

According to your judgment, must he repay it because you rejected this?

Indeed, you must choose, and not I, so declare what you know.

Those who have sense say to me,

and the wise man hearing me says:

‘Job speaks without knowledge,

and his words are without insight.

Would that Job were tested up to the end

because his answers are like those from men of mischief,

for he adds transgression to his sin;

he claps hands among us,

and he multiplies his words against God.’ ”

Copyright 2012 Lexham Press

KJV 1900King James Version

Surely it is meet to be said unto God,

I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:

That which I see not teach thou me:

If I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

Should 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.

Let men of understanding tell me,

And let a wise man hearken unto me.

Job hath spoken without knowledge,

And his words were without wisdom.

My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end

Because of his answers for wicked men.

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin,

He clappeth his hands among us,

And multiplieth his words against God.

Public Domain