Job 34:31-37

4. Job is rebellious in multiplying wicked words against God. (Job 34:31-37)

TEXT 34:31-37

31 For hath any said unto God,

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

32 That which I see not teach thou me:

If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?

33 Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it?

For thou most choose, and not I:

Therefore speak what thou knowest.

34 Men of understanding will say unto me,

Yea, every wise man that beareth met

35 Job speaketh without knowledge,

And his words are without wisdom.

36 Would that Job were tried unto the end,

Because of his answering like wicked men.

37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin;

He clappeth his hands among us,
And multiplieth his words against God.

COMMENT 34:31-37

Job 34:31To God is emphatic in the verse. If one confesses to God, He does not need Job's permission before forgiving. Chastisement of the A. V. is not in the text, which says I have borne, but what does that mean? Perhaps something like thisI am not evil, but have been led astray.[346] I will not offend suggests a declaration of innocence, rather than confession (any more is not in the text).

[346] See possibilities in G. R. Driver, Vetus Testamentum, Supplement, 1953, pp. 39ff,

Job 34:32The verse is a beautiful promise of obedience and a clear confession of sin. He is pleading for God's merciful presence.

Job 34:33According to your judgment implies that God is free to pardon; He does not need Job's permission. The first line contains because you reject it (in A. V. as thou refusest it) does not have an expressed object. Elihu is suggesting that if Job does not like the way God rules the universe, does he want to run the cosmos?

Job 34:34With such cogent arguments, how could anyone reply to Elihu? All wise men will condemn Job for arguing with God.

Job 34:35When Job complains against God, he manifests his lack of wisdom and understandingJob 35:16; Job 38:2; and Job 42:3.

Job 34:36Elihu would have pressed Job to the end of his ropeJob 7:18. The first line of this verse expresses wish or entreaty

(Heb. -abi wish).[347] He wishes that Job would change his attitude toward God, because he responds like all wicked men do.

[347] See thorough analysis in A. M. Honeyman, Journal of American Oriental Society, 1944, pp. 81-84, on developments of the root --'by.

Job 34:37 Elihu, like Eliphaz 22, charges Job with secret sin. He merely intensifies his rebellion against God. Clapping is a gesture of open mockery. (His hands is not in the text.) Job is castigated for his contempt toward God and Elihu's impeccable arguments.