Job 35 15

Job 35:15 kjv

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

Job 35:15 nkjv

And now, because He has not punished in His anger, Nor taken much notice of folly,

Job 35:15 niv

and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness.

Job 35:15 esv

And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not take much note of transgression,

Job 35:15 nlt

You say he does not respond to sinners with anger
and is not greatly concerned about wickedness.

Job 35 verses

Job 35 15 Meaning

Elihu asserts that God does not react to sin with immediate, hot anger, nor does He rush to exact punishment for every transgression, even significant ones. This verse suggests divine patience and a controlled approach to human failings, implying that God is not like a volatile human ruler who punishes in a fit of rage. Rather, His seemingly slow or unapparent judgment stems from His perfect nature and is part of a larger, often unperceived, divine process.

Job 35 15 Context

Job 35 is part of Elihu's third discourse. He aims to present a more balanced and profound understanding of God's ways than Job or his three friends have offered. In this chapter, Elihu argues that humanity's actions, whether righteous or sinful, do not directly affect God's infinite being (vv. 6-8), thus implying that God's justice is not reactive in a human sense. He rebukes Job for complaining that God does not answer him or that God has seemingly abandoned him (vv. 9-11). Elihu asserts that God indeed hears the cry of the afflicted, but often man's plea comes from a spirit of rebellion rather than humility (vv. 12-14). Within this discourse, verse 15 serves as Elihu's explanation for God's apparent silence or slowness to intervene in Job's perceived "transgression" of complaining. Elihu argues that God is not quick to act in passionate anger nor does He immediately focus on punishing every major sin.

Job 35 15 Word analysis

• Because (כִּֽי- kî): A conjunction indicating reason or explanation, introducing Elihu's justification for God's actions or inaction.
• God (אֵ֤ין ʾên implies lack/absence, but here refers to God's attribute in context): This term implies a negation of the immediate or rash action often attributed to deities in pagan belief systems or impatient human judges. Elihu highlights a divine characteristic.
• does not punish (פָּקַ֬ד pāqad - visit, attend, reckon, punish): The root carries the meaning of 'to visit' or 'to muster' often implying a visit for judgment or accountability. Elihu argues God does not 'visit' or 'punish' in wrath immediately. It signifies a careful, considered action, not a rash outburst.
• in His anger (בְּאַפּוֹ֙ bəʾappô - in His nostrils/face/anger): 'Anger' here is associated with immediate, hot passion, reflecting a visceral reaction often found in human wrath. Elihu contrasts God's composed nature with such impulsive anger. God possesses wrath but exercises it with deliberate restraint, not rashly.
• nor does He greatly regard (וְלֹֽא-יָדַ֣ע בְּמָתֶ֖ן wəloʾ-yādaʿ bəmāten - and not know/acknowledge in multitude/abundance/muchness):
  • nor (וְלֹֽא- wəloʾ - and not): Continues the negation.
  • does He ... regard (יָדַ֣ע yādaʿ - know, perceive, understand, acknowledge, care for): This verb signifies active discernment or careful attention. The phrase "does not know/regard" in this context implies a lack of intense, immediate focus or attention to bring about swift judgment for sin. It suggests God is not obsessed with instantly retaliating against every offense.
  • greatly (בְּמָתֶ֖ן bəmāten - in muchness, abundance, gift/reward): This word is difficult and often interpreted as "abundance" or "much" due to its rare form in this context. It describes the quantity or magnitude of the transgression, indicating that even when sin is great, God does not necessarily leap to judgment. It refers to a great degree or many instances of wrongdoing.
• transgression (זֻלָּֽה zullâ - except, besides, low, vile; usually with matten to mean great offense): In conjunction with bəmāten, this term refers to significant or numerous acts of rebellion/sin. The combined phrase (bəmāten zullâ) signifies a grave or manifold transgression, highlighting that even serious sin does not necessarily trigger immediate, angry divine retribution from God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Because God does not punish in His anger": This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and self-control. It counters a simplistic view of God as an easily provoked deity who lashes out immediately. It underlines His deliberate, reasoned nature even concerning judgment, differentiating Him from human rulers or volatile pagan deities. God's slowness to anger is a foundational attribute, indicating grace and patience rather than indifference to sin.
• "nor does He greatly regard transgression": This second part emphasizes God's transcendence and calm. "Greatly regard" suggests an intense, focused attention for the purpose of immediate retribution. Elihu argues God does not frantically concern Himself with punishing every specific major transgression on the spot. This points to God's patience, allowing time, or acting through different means, or having a larger plan. It does not imply God is unaware or dismissive of sin, but rather that He does not hastily respond with direct punishment for every offense.

Job 35 15 Bonus section

Elihu's perspective in this verse is not fully comprehensive of God's justice, as Scripture also reveals moments of swift divine wrath against sin (e.g., Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5). However, Elihu rightly emphasizes the prevailing attribute of God's slowness to anger and abundant mercy, a truth frequently declared throughout the Old Testament. This patience can sometimes be misinterpreted by humans as God being indifferent or unaware, which leads to complacency (as seen in Ecc 8:11). Elihu here is presenting a dimension of God's patience, His allowance for events to unfold without immediate punitive intervention for every wrong. This theological point sets the stage for God's ultimate answer to Job, demonstrating a God whose ways are indeed beyond human comprehension and direct cause-and-effect reasoning.

Job 35 15 Commentary

Elihu, in Job 35:15, presents a profound truth about God's character often overlooked by Job and his friends. He asserts that God's method of justice is not characterized by impetuous wrath or immediate, detailed punishment for every sin, even great ones. This statement highlights divine self-control and patience, portraying a God who is deliberate rather than volatile. Elihu isn't suggesting God ignores sin, but rather that His judgment operates on a timescale and by means often imperceptible to humans. This attribute allows for repentance, reveals God's longsuffering, and underscores His sovereign wisdom in unfolding events. Elihu implies that Job's suffering is not necessarily a direct, angry consequence of some specific "great transgression" that God is rapidly punishing, but possibly part of a deeper purpose or an unperceived discipline. It corrects the narrow retributive theology that insisted God always punishes immediately and proportionately to perceived sin, thus opening the door for understanding suffering as something other than direct punishment by God in anger.