| Job 34 | |
|---|---|
 The whole Book of Job in theLeningrad Codex (1008 C.E.) from an old facsimile edition. | |
| Book | Book of Job |
| Hebrew Bible part | Ketuvim |
| Order in the Hebrew part | 3 |
| Category | Sifrei Emet |
| Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 18 |
Job 34 is the 34thchapter of theBook of Job in theHebrew Bible or theOld Testament of theChristianBible.[1][2] The book is anonymous; most scholars believe it was written around 6th century BCE.[3][4] This chapter records the speech ofElihu, which belongs to the "Verdicts" section of the book, comprisingJob 32:1–42:6.[5][6]
The original text is written inHebrew language.This chapter is divided into 37 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter inHebrew are of theMasoretic Text, which includes theAleppo Codex (10th century), andCodex Leningradensis (1008).[7]
There is also a translation intoKoine Greek known as theSeptuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version includeCodex Vaticanus (B;B; 4th century),Codex Sinaiticus (S;BHK:S; 4th century), andCodex Alexandrinus (A;A; 5th century).[8]
The structure of the book is as follows:[9]
Within the structure, chapter 34 is grouped into the Verdict section with the following outline:[10]
The section containing Elihu's speeches serves as a bridge between the Dialogue (chapters 3–31) and the speeches ofYHWH (chapters 38–41).[11] There is an introduction in the prose form (Job 32:1–5), describing Elihu's identity and circumstances that cause him to speak (starting in Job 32:6).[11] The whole speech section can be formally divided into four monologues, each starting with a similar formula (Job 32:6; 34:1; 35:1; 36:1).[11] Elihu's first monologue is preceded by an apologia (justification) for speaking (Job 32:6–22) and a transitionary part which introduces Elihu's main arguments (Job 33:1–7) before the speech formally commences (Job 33:8–33).[12]
In the first three speeches Elihu cites and then disputes specific Job's charges in the preceding dialogue:[13]
| Job's charges | Elihu's response |
|---|---|
| Job 33:8–11 | Job 33:12–30 |
| Job 34:5–9 | Job 34:10–33 |
| Job 35:2–3 | Job 35:4–13 |
The second speech of Elihu in chapter 34 opens with a summon to the sages (presumably gathered around Job and his friends) to confirm his view (verses 2–4; cf. Job 34:10, 34) before citing Job's charges (Job 34:5–9) and providing correction to Job's view (34:10–33) and then again inviting the sages to consider the correction.[14] The focus of the speech is God's justice.[14]
In chapters 36–37 Elihu stops refuting Job's charges, but states his conclusions and verdict:[13]
The section starts with Elihu calling on the sages to examine Job's intention for litigation (verse 3 quoting Job 12:11).[14] This indicates that Elihu has listened well and now skillfully uses Job's own word back on him.[14]
Elihu quotes Job's words from different parts of speeches (verse 5a citing Job 9:21; 13:18; 27:2–6; verse 5b citing Job 27:22; also 14:3; 19:7; verse 9 citing Job 9:22–24 and 21:5–13) which claim that the innocent Job has been wrongly denied justice by God.[18] Then, Elihu comprehensively refutes Job with the strong insistence that God is fundamentally just and committed to justice.[19] God the creator has all the right to actively rule over his creation, so can never be charged with acting unjustly, as God's sovereign power extends to life and death, and God does not need further information before acting justly (verses 24–25).[20] Closing his speech, Elihu urges the gathering wise men to adopt his analysis of Job (verses 34–37).[21]
This is one step further thanverse 10 to emphasize that God cannot do what is wrong or wicked.[23]
Book of Job public domain audiobook atLibriVox Various versions