Job 34:10 kjv
Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
Job 34:10 nkjv
"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity.
Job 34:10 niv
"So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
Job 34:10 esv
"Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
Job 34:10 nlt
"Listen to me, you who have understanding.
Everyone knows that God doesn't sin!
The Almighty can do no wrong.
Job 34 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 32:4 | "He is the Rock, his work is perfect... A God of faithfulness and without iniquity; Just and upright is He." | God's perfection, faithfulness, and uprightness. |
| 2 Sam 22:31 | "As for God, his way is blameless... He is a shield to all who take refuge in him." | God's blameless path. |
| Ps 7:9 | "Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and establish the righteous, O righteous God who tests hearts and minds!" | God's righteousness in judging evil. |
| Ps 19:8 | "The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." | God's commands reflect His pure nature. |
| Ps 92:15 | "The LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." | Emphasizes God's unwavering uprightness. |
| Ps 119:137 | "Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments." | God's righteous character and just decrees. |
| Ps 145:17 | "The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His works." | God's comprehensive righteousness. |
| Isa 45:21 | "There is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides Me." | God is uniquely righteous and a deliverer. |
| Jer 12:1 | "Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you..." | Even when questioned, God's righteousness holds. |
| Dan 9:14 | "For the LORD our God is righteous in all His works that He has done." | God's actions are consistently righteous. |
| Nahum 1:3 | "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty." | God's justice ensures no evil goes unpunished. |
| Hab 1:13 | "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong; why do you idly look at traitors..." | God's inability to countenance evil. |
| Mal 3:6 | "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." | God's unchanging righteous nature ensures His consistency. |
| Rom 2:6 | "He will render to each one according to his works." | God's just recompense to all. |
| Rom 3:5 | "But if our unrighteousness highlights God's righteousness, what shall we say? That God is unjust in inflicting wrath on us?" | Questions if human sin makes God unjust, which it cannot. |
| Rom 9:14 | "What then shall we say? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!" | Paul strongly denies God's injustice. |
| Eph 5:9 | "For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true." | Attributes of God's character mirrored in believers. |
| James 1:13 | "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one." | God is immune to and source of no evil. |
| 1 John 1:5 | "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." | God's absolute holiness and purity. |
| Rev 15:3 | "Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!" | Celebrates God's just and true governance. |
| Rev 16:7 | "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments!" | Confirms God's judgments are just. |
Job 34 verses
Job 34 10 Meaning
Job 34:10 declares, through Elihu's words, that it is utterly impossible for God, the Almighty, to commit wickedness or injustice. His very nature precludes Him from doing anything unrighteous. He cannot be associated with evil deeds or perverted judgment, as such actions are contrary to His divine character and absolute perfection.
Job 34 10 Context
Job 34 is part of Elihu's third discourse (chapters 34-37). Elihu, a younger man, has observed the conversation between Job and his three friends and believes he can offer a clearer perspective, distinct from both Job's self-righteous complaints and the friends' rigid dogma. He criticizes Job for suggesting God is unjust (Job 33:10; 34:5-9). Job 34:10 is Elihu's emphatic refutation of any notion that God might act wickedly or unjustly. He argues for God's inherent righteousness and perfect justice as the foundation of His governance over creation. His aim is to correct Job's rebellious and despairing attitude, emphasizing God's omnipotence and unwavering justice in handling human affairs, even in suffering.
Job 34 10 Word analysis
Therefore: Connects this declaration to Elihu's preceding arguments (Job 34:1-9) where he counters Job's claim that God is unfair. It signifies a logical consequence drawn from divine nature.
listen to me: Elihu's plea for attention, underscoring the importance and authority of his words, setting the tone for his instruction.
men of understanding: (Hebrew: ’ishe levav אִישׁ לֵבָב) Lit. "men of heart" or "men of discernment." Implies those who possess wisdom and spiritual insight, inviting them to rationally evaluate the truth being presented. This also might subtly differentiate his audience from Job's friends, implying a higher level of comprehension.
Far be it from God: (Hebrew: ḥālelah lā’el חָלִלָה לָאֵל) A strong idiom expressing abhorrence or emphatic rejection. It means "perish the thought," "God forbid," or "by no means." This phrase highlights the absolute impossibility of the action it describes for God. Abraham used a similar phrase in Gen 18:25 concerning God doing wrong.
wickedness: (Hebrew: resha' רֶשַׁע) Denotes unrighteousness, malice, guilt, perversity, or criminal behavior. It speaks to intentional deviation from moral uprightness. It represents a state of being morally corrupt.
and from the Almighty: (Hebrew: miššaddai מִשַּׁדַּי) Refers to God as El Shaddai, emphasizing His boundless power, sufficiency, and sovereign dominion. This underscores that God's inability to do evil is not due to weakness, but to His perfect nature. He is fully capable of all things, yet He cannot do what is contrary to His character.
injustice/wrong: (Hebrew: ‘awlāh עַוְלָה) Implies perversity, crookedness, oppression, or wrongdoing. It describes an action that is twisted or morally askew. Often paired with resha’ for emphasis on complete moral rectitude.
to do: Implies active participation, stressing that not only is evil not part of God's being, but He also does not commit evil actions.
to act perversely: Emphasizes actions that are distorted, twisted, or against righteousness. It parallels ‘awlāh and underscores that God's judgments and dealings are always straight and true, never arbitrary or corrupt.
"Far be it from God... or the Almighty... wickedness... injustice": This phrase combines powerful terms of rejection (ḥālelah) with strong names for God (El, Shaddai) and dual negative descriptors of evil (resha’, ‘awlāh). It is a triple-barreled statement of divine purity, leaving no room for doubt about God's absolute goodness and justice. It addresses directly Job's despairing complaints, correcting his understanding of God's character under suffering. The very idea that such a powerful and sovereign being could be flawed in His righteousness is unthinkable and abhorrent.
Job 34 10 Bonus section
The concept expressed in Job 34:10 is central to Christian theology: God's immutability and perfection in holiness and justice. This means His character cannot change, nor can He act contrary to His nature. Any theological framework that suggests God can be capricious, arbitrary, or unjust misunderstands His fundamental being. This truth offers comfort and stability in a chaotic world, assuring believers that God's judgments, though sometimes mysterious to human understanding, are always just and true. It lays the groundwork for understanding His covenant faithfulness, the rectitude of His Law, and the righteousness inherent in salvation through Christ. If God could be wicked, salvation itself would be untrustworthy. Elihu's declaration, therefore, isn't just about Job's suffering, but about the very essence of who God is.
Job 34 10 Commentary
Elihu's assertion in Job 34:10 serves as a foundational theological statement regarding the immutable character of God. It directly refutes the subtle blasphemy Elihu perceived in Job's complaints – that God, in permitting his suffering, might be acting unjustly or wickedly. Elihu powerfully declares that evil cannot originate from God, nor can it be a part of His nature or actions. This is not due to a limitation in His power, but a testament to His infinite holiness and righteousness. God, as El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, is inherently incapable of wickedness or perversion. His perfect moral attributes are woven into His very being. Therefore, any perceived injustice by humanity stems from a lack of understanding of His higher wisdom and purposes, not from a defect in His character. This verse anchors the reader in the absolute certainty of God's unwavering justice, even when His ways seem inscrutable.
For practical application, consider how this truth refutes human tendencies to blame God for suffering, evil, or misfortune. It teaches us to search for understanding and submit to His sovereignty, rather than impugn His character. When trials come, we are to remember that God is righteous, even when His reasons are veiled.