Job 36 9

Job 36:9 kjv

Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

Job 36:9 nkjv

Then He tells them their work and their transgressions? That they have acted defiantly.

Job 36:9 niv

he tells them what they have done? that they have sinned arrogantly.

Job 36:9 esv

then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.

Job 36:9 nlt

he shows them the reason.
He shows them their sins of pride.

Job 36 verses

Job 36 9 Meaning

Job 36:9 signifies that God, through affliction or His providential dealings, reveals to individuals their actions and transgressions, especially highlighting when these wrongs stem from or are fueled by pride and arrogance. Elihu, the speaker, emphasizes that God exposes such hidden sins and underlying pride not merely for punishment, but as a means to instruct and prompt a return to righteousness.

Job 36 9 Context

Job 36:9 is spoken by Elihu, the youngest of Job's four interlocutors. His discourse spans chapters 32-37. Unlike Job's three friends, who simplistically argued that Job's immense suffering must be direct punishment for specific sins, Elihu introduces a more nuanced perspective. Elihu believes that God's actions are always just and wise, and that He can use suffering not only to punish past iniquity but also as a means of correction, instruction, and purification to prevent future, deeper sins.

In chapters 33-35, Elihu challenges Job's self-justification and the friends' limited view of divine justice. In chapter 36, Elihu emphasizes God's sovereign power, infinite knowledge, and unwavering justice. He asserts that God is great and meticulous, attending even to the poor and afflicted (vv. 5-7). Elihu suggests that when people are "bound with cords of affliction" (v. 8), God permits this not out of arbitrary cruelty, but with a specific purpose. Verse 9 then explains that this purpose is to expose their "work and their transgressions," particularly noting that these misdeeds stem from "pride." This serves as Elihu's theological framework: God's hand in suffering aims to reveal hidden pride and other sins, thereby prompting humility and repentance, and steering the individual towards a better path (v. 10). Historically and culturally, while the prevalent belief system often directly linked suffering to specific sin, Elihu’s discourse offers a development, stressing God's pedagogical use of adversity to lead to deeper spiritual self-awareness and restoration.

Job 36 9 Word analysis

• Then (וַיָּ֫בֶר, wayyabher): A consecutive Hebrew particle indicating sequence. It links this action to God's prior attention to and judgment of afflicted individuals, emphasizing that the declaration of sin follows the onset of hardship as part of God's disciplinary process (Job 36:8).
• he declares (וַיַּגֵּד, wayyaggêd): From the verb nagad (נָגַד), meaning "to tell," "to report," "to make known," "to reveal," or "to announce." This word implies a direct, often authoritative, revelation from God, making clear what was perhaps unrecognized or unacknowledged by the individual concerning their own behavior.
• to them (לָהֶם, lâhem): Refers to the "bound with cords of affliction" mentioned in the preceding verse (Job 36:8), or generally to people experiencing divine correction through adversity.
• their work (פָּעֳלָם, po‘olam): From the root pa'al (פָּעַל), which means "to do," "to make," "to act," or "to accomplish." In this context, it refers to a person's deeds, actions, or conduct. Elihu suggests these are the visible (or at least actual) results of their inner state that God reveals.
• and their transgressions (וְכִפְשִׁעֵיהֶם, ûḵhiś’êyhem): From the noun pesha' (פֶּשַׁע), meaning "rebellion," "transgression," "sin," "trespass," or "revolt." This term specifies that the "work" includes serious violations or a breaking away from God's way, denoting active rebellion rather than mere error.
• that they have behaved proudly (כִּי יִתְגַּבְּרוּ, kî yiṯga’êrû): This critical phrase provides the reason or nature of their "work" and "transgressions." The verb is ga'ah (גָּאָה), meaning "to rise up," "to be high," "to be lifted up," "to be proud," or "to be arrogant." The hitpa'el stem used here (reflexive-intensive) reinforces the active and intentional nature of this pride: they behaved proudly, acted arrogantly, or exalted themselves. Elihu implies that deep-seated pride is often the root cause or pervasive quality of human sin.

Words-group analysis:

• "he declares to them their work and their transgressions": This phrase highlights God's penetrating knowledge and active role in making humanity accountable. It indicates that God's discipline has an enlightening purpose, pulling back the veil of self-deception or ignorance.
• "their work and their transgressions, that they have behaved proudly": This construction connects external actions and rebellions directly to an internal, fundamental flaw—pride. Elihu emphasizes that pride is not merely one sin among many, but an underlying attitude that drives and infects a wide range of "works" and "transgressions," which God aims to expose and correct through the humbling process of affliction.

Job 36 9 Bonus section

Elihu's assertion in Job 36:9 marks a crucial theological advancement within the book of Job, moving beyond simple retribution to embrace a didactic aspect of divine activity. This view foreshadows themes found elsewhere in biblical wisdom literature and even the New Testament regarding the purpose of discipline (e.g., Ps 119:67, 71; Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-11). It speaks to God's commitment to transforming the character of individuals. Elihu suggests that God's omniscience allows Him to see beyond mere outward actions to the inner motivations and attitudes, like pride, that corrupt the heart and manifest in "transgressions." Therefore, the "declaration" of one's "work and transgressions" is more than a mere indictment; it is an exposure of the source of the problem, allowing for a focused and redemptive response from the disciplined individual. This perspective underscores God's personal engagement with humanity, aiming not for destruction, but for restoration to His holy character.

Job 36 9 Commentary

Job 36:9 distills Elihu's unique contribution to the dialogue on suffering. He postulates that divine affliction serves a crucial revelatory purpose: God uses it to expose a person's deeds and rebellions, especially when those are rooted in pride. This perspective contrasts with the Friends' simplistic retribution, presenting suffering as a refining tool. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, intervenes not only to punish wrongdoing but to highlight and eradicate the insidious presence of pride that can lead individuals astray. By bringing this deep-seated issue to light, God opens a path for repentance and restoration. Elihu maintains that this act of revelation is a mercy, offering a chance for the afflicted to recognize their true spiritual condition and return to humility and obedience.

• Example 1: A person with abundant talent experiences public humiliation; Elihu would suggest God is exposing a deep-seated pride that was previously unacknowledged.
• Example 2: Someone who has always relied on their intellect encounters a problem they cannot solve, leading to frustration. God, through this humbling experience, might be revealing their intellectual pride.