Job 34:10

God is Not Unjust

34:10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. ¹ 

Far be it from ²  God to do wickedness,

from the Almighty to do evil.

Job 34:37

34:37 For he adds transgression ³  to his sin;

in our midst he claps his hands, ⁴ 

and multiplies his words against God.”

[34:10]  ¹ tn Heb “men of heart.” The “heart” is used for the capacity to understand and make the proper choice. It is often translated “mind.”

[34:10]  ² tn For this construction, see Job 27:5.

[34:37]  ³ tn Although frequently translated “rebellion,” the basic meaning of this Hebrew term is “transgression.”

[34:37]  ⁴ tc If this reading stands, it would mean that Job shows contempt, meaning that he mocks them and accuses God. It is a bold touch, but workable. Of the many suggested emendations, Dhorme alters some of the vowels and obtains a reading “and casts doubt among us,” and then takes “transgression” from the first colon for the complement. Some commentators simply delete the line.