Chapter XXXIV · Location 34 of 42
Chapter 34 · Open to readFrom Job · Douay–Rheims / Challoner (1749–1752)
What does Job Chapter 34 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?
Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary
Eliu invites wise men to test words and reports accusations concerning Job. He asserts divine justice and describes breath, princes, darkness and cries of the poor. He invites correction, then asks that Job be tried and tied fast; no agreement from the listeners is recorded.
Chapter breakdown
Eliu continues, asking wise and learned men to hear and test words as the mouth tastes food, choosing judgment together. He reports Job's statements about being just, judgment overthrown and a violent arrow without sin. Eliu accuses him of drinking scorn like water and accompanying workers of iniquity, attributing to him the saying that man will not please God although he runs with Him.
In Eliu’s speech, eliu asserts wickedness is far from God, who rewards according to works and does not condemn without cause or pervert judgment. He asks who else has been appointed over earth or the world, and says if God draws spirit and breath to Himself all flesh perishes and man returns to ashes. He asks whether one who does not love judgment can be healed and how the just one can be condemned. He describes calling kings apostate and rulers ungodly, no partiality to princes or a tyrant against a poor man, since all are works of His hands. He speaks of sudden death, people troubled at midnight and the violent taken away without hand.
In Eliu’s speech, eliu says God's eyes see human ways and no darkness hides iniquity. Man cannot enter judgment with God; many are broken and replaced, their works known, night brought upon them and wickedness struck openly. They have revolted and caused the needy's cry, and God heard the poor. Eliu asks who can condemn when God grants peace or behold Him when His face is hidden, regarding nations or all men, and who makes a hypocrite reign for the people's sins.
In Eliu’s speech, he says he will not hinder the other's turn, asks to be taught if he erred and promises not to add iniquity if he spoke it. He asks whether God requires something because it displeased Job and invites better knowledge. Calling wise men to hear, Eliu says Job spoke foolishly without discipline. He asks that Job be tried to the end, charges added blasphemy and says to let him be tied fast among them and then provoke God to judgment with speeches. No listener's agreement or clapping of hands is narrated. The separate heading identifies Eliu's charge and exposition of divine power and justice.
The story inside
Opening: Eliu invites wise men to test words and reports accusations concerning Job. Development: He asserts divine justice and describes breath, princes, darkness and cries of the poor. Conclusion: He invites correction, then asks that Job be tried and tied fast; no agreement from the listeners is recorded.
Lessons worth keeping
- 1Eliu invites wise men to test words and reports accusations concerning Job.
- 2He asserts divine justice and describes breath, princes, darkness and cries of the poor.
- 3He invites correction, then asks that Job be tried and tied fast; no agreement from the listeners is recorded.
Test your recall
Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?
Source edition and notes
Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.
Lines 56972–56979
34:10. Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty. 34:11. For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them. 34:12. For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Lines 56984–56988
34:14. If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself. 34:15. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
Lines 57006–57010
34:21. For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps. 34:22. There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
