Job 34 19

Job 34:19 kjv

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.

Job 34:19 nkjv

Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.

Job 34:19 niv

who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

Job 34:19 esv

who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

Job 34:19 nlt

He doesn't care how great a person may be,
and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor.
He made them all.

Job 34 verses

Job 34 19 Meaning

Job 34:19 proclaims that God exhibits no favoritism towards human beings based on their social status or wealth. He does not distinguish between rulers and commoners, nor does He prefer the rich over the poor, for all humanity stands equal before Him as the direct creation of His hands. This verse is Elihu's assertion of God's absolute and unswerving justice and impartiality.

Job 34 19 Context

Job 34:19 is part of Elihu's extensive speech, spanning chapters 32-37. Elihu, a younger man, addresses Job's increasingly vehement complaints against God's perceived injustice, and he also corrects Job's three friends, who he believes failed to convince Job and rightly defend God. In chapter 34, Elihu's primary objective is to assert God's unimpeachable justice and power, arguing that Job's suffering is not evidence of divine caprice or injustice, but rather a manifestation of God's perfect governance, even if incomprehensible to humans.

Specifically, verse 19 functions as a direct refutation of any notion that God might be biased or show favor based on human status, power, or wealth. This addresses Job's sense that God might be afflicting him without just cause, or that Job's righteousness somehow warrants special treatment. Elihu forcefully states that God's ways are higher than human social distinctions, emphasizing that all humanity—princes and paupers alike—are equally dependent upon Him as His creation, thus nullifying any basis for divine favoritism. Historically, ancient Near Eastern societies were highly stratified, with rulers, nobles, and the wealthy often perceived to have inherent favor from deities or enjoy greater privileges. Elihu's declaration here serves as a powerful theological counterpoint, asserting the divine standard of absolute equity irrespective of social standing, a truth fundamental to biblical justice.

Job 34 19 Word analysis

• Who shows no partiality: The Hebrew phrase is לֹא נָשָׂא פְנֵי־נְשִׂיאִים (lo nasa' panei nesi'im).

  • לֹא (lo'): "No, not." A strong negation, emphasizing the absolute absence of an action.
  • נָשָׂא (nasa'): "to lift, to carry, to take." Here used idiomatically with 'faces'.
  • פְנֵי־ (p'nei): "faces of." The construct form of פָּנִים (panim), "face." The idiom "to lift the face" (nasa panim) means "to show favor," "to show respect," or "to accept." The negative, "not lift the face," therefore means "to show no favor," "no partiality." This directly speaks to judging a person not by appearance or status.
  • Significance: This idiom profoundly illustrates that God's gaze and judgment are not influenced by outward appearances, titles, or perceived greatness, contrasting sharply with human tendencies.

• princes: נְשִׂיאִים (nəsiʾim).

  • From נָשׂוּא (nasu'), "exalted, lifted up." Denotes those in high positions, chiefs, nobles, princes, rulers.
  • Significance: Elihu explicitly names the highest earthly authority, demonstrating that even those at the pinnacle of human power hold no special claim to God's favor.

• nor regards: יַכִּיר (yakkir).

  • Hiphil imperfect of נָכַר (nakar), "to recognize, discern, acknowledge, know." In the Hiphil, it often implies to pay attention, to acknowledge as superior, or to give preferential treatment.
  • Significance: God does not "recognize" or "acknowledge" the rich over the poor in a way that suggests favoritism. He perceives all equally.

• the rich: עָשִׁיר (ʿashir).

  • "Rich, wealthy, affluent." Denotes those possessing great material abundance.
  • Significance: Material wealth, a primary marker of human social status and power in ancient societies, is explicitly shown to have no bearing on God's treatment of an individual.

• more than the poor: מִדָּל (mi-dal).

  • מִ (mi): "from, than." A preposition of comparison.
  • דָּל (dal): "Poor, weak, lowly, thin." Refers to those lacking material resources or power.
  • Significance: This directly contrasts the social extremes—the powerful rich and the vulnerable poor—to underscore God's impartiality across the entire human spectrum. He sees no inherent worth differential between them based on their possessions.

• for they are all: כִּי מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו כֻּלָּם (ki ma'aseh yadaw kullam).

  • כִּי (ki): "For, because." Introduces the reason or justification for God's impartiality.
  • מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו (ma'aseh yadaw): "The work of His hands." A powerful and common biblical phrase indicating divine creation. "Yadav" (His hands) signifies direct, deliberate action and authorship.
  • כֻּלָּם (kullam): "All of them, the whole of them." An emphatic pronoun stressing the universal scope.
  • Significance of "work of His hands": This is the fundamental theological underpinning for God's impartiality. Since everyone, regardless of their social or economic standing, owes their very existence to God as their Creator, none have a special claim on His favor based on earthly distinctions. It levels the playing field before the Creator.
  • Significance of the words-group: The final phrase provides the ultimate justification for God's non-partiality. It establishes a theological truth: if God is the creator of all, then all are equal in their created status before Him. Human distinctions pale in comparison to the universal truth of divine authorship. This phrase serves as an unbreakable logical link for Elihu's argument.

Job 34 19 Bonus section

The emphatic declaration by Elihu on God's impartiality here prefigures and is in harmony with a major theme throughout the Bible, culminating particularly in the New Testament teachings of the Apostles (e.g., Peter, Paul, James). It reveals that God's character is consistent from the Old Testament to the New. While Elihu is an imperfect human voice, his insights into God's justice are validated by the broader biblical narrative, serving to defend divine rectitude in a world grappling with the problem of suffering. This impartiality is a foundational attribute that governs not only God's judgments but also His mercy and redemptive plan, available to all who turn to Him, regardless of their background or standing.

Job 34 19 Commentary

Elihu's statement in Job 34:19 is a profound declaration of God's character as a just and impartial judge and ruler over all creation. He unequivocally states that God’s justice is not swayed by the influence of princes, nor does He prefer the wealthy over the needy. This is in direct contrast to fallen human systems where power and riches often dictate justice and privilege. The core reason provided for God's impartiality is that "they are all the work of His hands." This simple theological truth underpins the entire concept of divine justice: since all humanity originates from God as their Creator, no individual possesses an inherent advantage or disadvantage in His eyes due to their societal standing, nationality, or wealth. All are equally accountable to Him, and all are equally the recipients of His perfect judgment. This truth not only reinforces God's sovereignty but also lays the foundation for true human equality before the divine, calling into question any human system that practices favoritism or discrimination. It is a vital principle not just for understanding God's nature but also for guiding human conduct in establishing just societies. For instance, in courts of law, judges are called to rule impartially, without bias towards the wealthy or powerful, reflecting God's standard. Similarly, ministries and churches should serve all individuals equally, seeing each person as a creation of God, irrespective of their socio-economic status.