Job 35

King James Version

Full text for Job Chapter 35

1¶ Elihu spake moreover, and said,

2Thinkest thou this to be right, [that] thou saidst, My righteousness [is] more than God's?

3For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? [and], What profit shall I have, [if I be cleansed] from my sin?

4I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

5Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds [which] are higher than thou.

6If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or [if] thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

7If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?

8Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou [art]; and thy righteousness [may profit] the son of man.

9¶ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10But none saith, Where [is] God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

12There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

13Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

14¶ Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, [yet] judgment [is] before him; therefore trust thou in him.

15But now, because [it is] not [so], he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth [it] not in great extremity:

16Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Elihu continues his discourse, challenging Job's assertion that his righteousness surpasses God's and that there is no profit in being cleansed from sin. He argues that human actions do not directly affect God, who is transcendent, but rather impact other men. Elihu criticizes those who cry out under oppression but fail to seek God, their Maker, concluding that Job speaks ignorantly and without true understanding.

Medium Summary

Elihu confronts Job, questioning his belief that his righteousness is superior to God's and that cleansing from sin offers no advantage. He explains that God is exalted above humanity, and thus, human sin or righteousness does not directly harm or benefit the Almighty. Instead, human wickedness affects other people, and human righteousness profits them. Elihu observes that while the oppressed cry out, they often neglect to seek God, their Creator, who provides solace and wisdom. He states that God does not heed empty pleas, and despite Job's feelings of abandonment, divine judgment is always present. Elihu concludes that Job's words are vain and spoken without true understanding.

Long Summary

Elihu resumes his argument, directly challenging Job's previous statements. He questions Job's assertion that his own righteousness is greater than God's, and his implication that there is no real advantage or profit in being purified from sin. Elihu invites Job to consider the vastness of the heavens, emphasizing God's transcendence. He then posits that human sin, no matter how multiplied, does not directly impact God, nor does human righteousness add anything to Him. Rather, Elihu explains, human wickedness harms other individuals, and human righteousness benefits fellow men. He then shifts to the general state of humanity, noting that people cry out due to the multitude of oppressions and the power of the mighty. However, Elihu laments that none inquire after God, their Maker, who grants comfort even in adversity and bestows wisdom superior to that of animals. He attributes the unanswered cries to the pride of evil men and the failure to seek God genuinely. Elihu firmly states that God will not listen to "vanity" or empty, insincere pleas. He reminds Job that even if he feels God is unseen, divine judgment is ever-present, and therefore, trust in God is warranted. Elihu interprets Job's current situation, suggesting that God has visited in anger, though perhaps not to the "great extremity" Job perceives. He concludes his address by declaring that Job's continued lamentations are futile, and his words are multiplied without true knowledge or understanding of God's ways.

Core Concepts

  • God's TranscendenceElihu emphasizes that God is far above humanity, unaffected by human sin or righteousness directly, as He is too high to be harmed or benefited by man's actions.
  • Impact of Human ActionsHuman wickedness and righteousness primarily affect other people, causing harm or bringing profit to fellow men, rather than directly impacting God.
  • Neglect of GodThe oppressed cry out in distress but often fail to seek God, their Creator, who provides comfort and wisdom, even in the night.
  • God's Unheeded PrayersGod does not hear "vanity" or insincere cries, especially when they stem from the pride of evil men or a lack of genuine seeking.
  • Divine Judgment and TrustDespite feelings of abandonment or not seeing God, divine judgment is always present before Him, and therefore, trust in God is warranted.
  • Job's IgnoranceElihu concludes that Job's words are spoken in vain and without true knowledge, suggesting Job misinterprets God's actions and character in his suffering.