Job 34:16-28 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Injustice is incompatible with rule. How does Job condemn God, before whom even kings and princes are vile, and who regards rich and poor alike? He sees the oppressor and suddenly destroys him.

In Job 34:16 follow mg. only understand. In Job 34:18 read with LXX, Vulg. Who saith to a king, Thou art vile, and to nobles, Ye are wicked; that respecteth not the persons of princes. It is God who so speaks. In Job 34:20 b read for the people with Budde the rich; without hand means by the act of God. In Job 34:23 read, For he appointeth no set time for a man that he should go before God in judgment (Wright, Budde, Duhm). In Job 34:26 a some emendation is necessary; the oppressors were wicked and cannot well be struck as wicked men. Perhaps we should read, His wrath breaks the wicked, He striketh at them in the open sight of the others (Bickell, Budde).

Related Commentaries of Job 34:16

Job 34:16-28

16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

19 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.

20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mightye shall be taken away without hand.

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enterf into judgment with God.

24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number,g and set others in their stead.

25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.h

26 He striketh them as wicked men in the openi sight of others;

27 Because they turned back from him,j and would not consider any of his ways:

28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.