Job 34:29-37

If God does not intervene, who can condemn Him, even if He set up the wicked to rule? If only man penitently confesses his sin, is Job to presume to fix his punishment? Wise men will say that Job has spoken without wisdom. Would that Job were tried to the end, for to his sin he adds rebellion against God.

Job 34:29 is very difficult. In Job 34:29 a render, If he remains quiet. Budde reads in Job 34:29 b blame for behold, and omits Job 34:29 c as a gloss. In Job 34:30 read with Theodotion and the Targum, If he cause a godless man to reign, One of them that ensnare the people. The best construction of Job 34:31 seems to be, If any one say unto God, I have borne chastisement. shall his recompense be as thou wilt that thou refusest it? Job is asked in amazement if any man who uses the language of penitence will presume to dictate to God the chastisement which he should receive. Elihu, in polite scorn, declines to join in such impiety (Strahan). In Job 34:33 b Ley reads For thou must choose and not God. This gives a much better sense.