Job 34 is the 34th chapter of the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1] The book is anonymous; most scholars believe it was written around 6th century BCE. This chapter records the speech of Elihu, which belongs to the "Verdicts" section of the book, comprising –42:6.
The original text is written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 37 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B;
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The structure of the book is as follows:
Within the structure, chapter 34 is grouped into the Verdict section with the following outline:
The section containing Elihu's speeches serves as a bridge between the Dialogue (chapters 3–31) and the speeches of YHWH (chapters 38–41). There is an introduction in the prose form (Job 32:1–5), describing Elihu's identity and circumstances that cause him to speak (starting in Job 32:6). The whole speech section can be formally divided into four monologues, each starting with a similar formula (Job 32:6; 34:1; 35:1; 36:1). Elihu's first monologue is preceded by an apologia (justification) for speaking (Job 32:6–22) and a transitionary part which introduces Elihu's main arguments (Job 33:1–7) before the speech formally commences (Job 33:8–33).
In the first three speeches Elihu cites and then disputes specific Job's charges in the preceding dialogue:
| Job's charges | Elihu's response | |
|---|---|---|
| Job 33:8–11 | Job 33:12–30 | |
| Job 34:5–9 | Job 34:10–33 | |
| Job 35:2–3 | Job 35:4–13 |
The second speech of Elihu in chapter 34 opens with a summon to the sages (presumably gathered around Job and his friends) to confirm his view (verses 2–4; cf. Job 34:10, 34) before citing Job's charges (Job 34:5–9) and providing correction to Job's view (34:10–33) and then again inviting the sages to consider the correction. The focus of the speech is God's justice.
In chapters 36–37 Elihu stops refuting Job's charges, but states his conclusions and verdict:
The section starts with Elihu calling on the sages to examine Job's intention for litigation (verse 3 quoting Job 12:11). This indicates that Elihu has listened well and now skillfully uses Job's own word back on him.
[Elihu said:] "For the ear tests words,
as the mouth tastes food."[2]
Elihu quotes Job's words from different parts of speeches (verse 5a citing Job 9:21; 13:18; 27:2–6; verse 5b citing Job 27:22; also 14:3; 19:7; verse 9 citing Job 9:22–24 and 21:5–13) which claim that the innocent Job has been wrongly denied justice by God. Then, Elihu comprehensively refutes Job with the strong insistence that God is fundamentally just and committed to justice. God the creator has all the right to actively rule over his creation, so can never be charged with acting unjustly, as God's sovereign power extends to life and death, and God does not need further information before acting justly (verses 24–25). Closing his speech, Elihu urges the gathering wise men to adopt his analysis of Job (verses 34–37).
[Elihu said:] "IYea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment."[5] This is one step further than 34:10 9 to emphasize that God cannot do what is wrong or wicked.
. Michael D. Coogan . The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 . Coogan . Michael David . Marc Zvi . Brettler . Carol Ann . Newsom . Pheme . Perkins . Augmented 3rd . Oxford University Press . 2007 . 9780195288810 .
. Henry Hampton Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary . 24th (revised). Zondervan Publishing House . 1965 . 0-310-25720-4.