Job 34:35 - ‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Job 34:35" mean?
Job 34:35, "‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’" expresses the speaker's judgment of Job's arguments and complaints in the Book of Job. Let's break down its meaning:
Speaker: This verse is spoken by Elihu, the youngest and arguably most assertive of Job's friends/comforters. Elihu enters the debate later than Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
Context: Elihu is reacting to Job's persistent declarations of innocence and his questioning of God's justice in the face of immense suffering. Job has repeatedly claimed he doesn't deserve his fate and has challenged God to explain why he is being punished.
‘Job speaks without knowledge’: This criticizes Job's understanding of God's ways and purposes. Elihu believes Job is presumptuous in claiming to know whether he deserves his suffering. It suggests that Job's perspective is limited and flawed. Job, according to Elihu, doesn't truly comprehend the vastness and complexity of God's plan, and therefore his pronouncements are based on insufficient information.
‘His words are without wisdom’: This reinforces the previous statement. Elihu asserts that Job's speech lacks sound judgment and understanding. It implies that Job's complaints are not only based on flawed knowledge but are also unwise and even foolish. Job's words are not offering constructive solutions or exhibiting the kind of humble submission that Elihu believes is appropriate.
In essence, Elihu is accusing Job of:
Ignorance: Claiming to know things he doesn't (specifically, God's reasons).
Lack of Understanding: Failing to grasp the complexities of God's justice and the relationship between righteousness and suffering.
Foolishness: Speaking rashly and without careful consideration, thereby demeaning God's character and wisdom.
Arrogance: Positioning himself as an equal or superior to God by demanding answers and justifications.
Important Considerations:
Elihu's Perspective: It's crucial to remember that Elihu's words represent his understanding, not necessarily the ultimate truth presented in the Book of Job. The book itself challenges the simplistic cause-and-effect view of suffering that Elihu and the other friends espouse.
The Book's Message: Ultimately, the Book of Job doesn't fully endorse Elihu's perspective. While Job's pronouncements may have been bold and even reckless, the book also acknowledges the profound pain and frustration that drove them. God eventually speaks directly to Job, but not to reprimand him. Instead, God reveals his power and majesty, highlighting the limitations of human understanding.
The Question of Suffering: The Book of Job grapples with the problem of innocent suffering and challenges the notion that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. It suggests that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension.
In summary, Job 34:35 is Elihu's sharp critique of Job's complaints, accusing him of speaking ignorantly and unwisely about God's actions and the nature of suffering. However, this verse should be understood within the larger context of the Book of Job, which presents a more nuanced and complex perspective on these issues.
Job 34:35 - ‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
What does "Job 34:35" mean?
Job 34:35, "‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’" expresses the speaker's judgment of Job's arguments and complaints in the Book of Job. Let's break down its meaning:
Speaker: This verse is spoken by Elihu, the youngest and arguably most assertive of Job's friends/comforters. Elihu enters the debate later than Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
Context: Elihu is reacting to Job's persistent declarations of innocence and his questioning of God's justice in the face of immense suffering. Job has repeatedly claimed he doesn't deserve his fate and has challenged God to explain why he is being punished.
‘Job speaks without knowledge’: This criticizes Job's understanding of God's ways and purposes. Elihu believes Job is presumptuous in claiming to know whether he deserves his suffering. It suggests that Job's perspective is limited and flawed. Job, according to Elihu, doesn't truly comprehend the vastness and complexity of God's plan, and therefore his pronouncements are based on insufficient information.
‘His words are without wisdom’: This reinforces the previous statement. Elihu asserts that Job's speech lacks sound judgment and understanding. It implies that Job's complaints are not only based on flawed knowledge but are also unwise and even foolish. Job's words are not offering constructive solutions or exhibiting the kind of humble submission that Elihu believes is appropriate.
In essence, Elihu is accusing Job of:
Ignorance: Claiming to know things he doesn't (specifically, God's reasons).
Lack of Understanding: Failing to grasp the complexities of God's justice and the relationship between righteousness and suffering.
Foolishness: Speaking rashly and without careful consideration, thereby demeaning God's character and wisdom.
Arrogance: Positioning himself as an equal or superior to God by demanding answers and justifications.
Important Considerations:
Elihu's Perspective: It's crucial to remember that Elihu's words represent his understanding, not necessarily the ultimate truth presented in the Book of Job. The book itself challenges the simplistic cause-and-effect view of suffering that Elihu and the other friends espouse.
The Book's Message: Ultimately, the Book of Job doesn't fully endorse Elihu's perspective. While Job's pronouncements may have been bold and even reckless, the book also acknowledges the profound pain and frustration that drove them. God eventually speaks directly to Job, but not to reprimand him. Instead, God reveals his power and majesty, highlighting the limitations of human understanding.
The Question of Suffering: The Book of Job grapples with the problem of innocent suffering and challenges the notion that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. It suggests that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension.
In summary, Job 34:35 is Elihu's sharp critique of Job's complaints, accusing him of speaking ignorantly and unwisely about God's actions and the nature of suffering. However, this verse should be understood within the larger context of the Book of Job, which presents a more nuanced and complex perspective on these issues.