Job 34:20 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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

They - "the rich" and "princes" who offend God.

The people - namely, of the guilty princes; guilty also themselves.

At midnight - image from a night attack of an enemy on a camp, which becomes an easy prey (Exodus 12:29-30, "At midnight the Lord smote all the first-born").

Without hand - without visible agency, by the mere word of God (so Job 20:26, "a fire not blown;" Zechariah 4:6; Daniel 2:34, "a stone was cut out without hands").

Job 34:20

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.