Job 34 · Verse 17

Job 34:17

Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Job 34:17, King James Version

Job 34:17 in other translations

BSBCould one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
WEBShould even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
ASVShall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty?—
YLTYea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?
DARBYShould he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
BBEHow may a hater of right be a ruler? and will you say that the upright Ruler of all is evil?
WebsterShall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

What does Job 34:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. "Can even He who (in thy view) hateth right (justice) govern?" The government of the world would be impossible if injustice were sanctioned. God must be just, because He governs (2Sa 23:3). govern--literally, "bind," namely, by authority (so "reign," 1Sa 9:17, Margin). Umbreit translates for "govern, repress wrath, namely, against Job for his accusations. most just--rather, "Him who is at once mighty and just" (in His government of the world).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Shall - he that hateth right govern? - Or, Shall he who hateth judgment, lie under obligation? It is preposterous to suppose that he who lives by no rule, should impose rules upon others. God, who is the fountain of all justice and righteousness, binds man by his laws; and wilt thou, therefore, pretend to condemn him who is the sum of righteousness?

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 34:16-30

Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his…

Read the full comment on Job 34:16-30 →

Job 34:17 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הַאַ֬ףha.'Af¿ alsoH637
שׂוֹנֵ֣אso.Ne'[one who] hatesH8130
מִשְׁפָּ֣טmish.Pat<of> justiceH4941
יַחֲב֑וֹשׁya.cha.Vo.oshwill he governH2280
וְאִם\־ve.'im-and or?H518
צַדִּ֖יקtza.Dik[the] righteous [one]H6662
כַּבִּ֣ירka.Bir[the] mighty [one]H3524
תַּרְשִֽׁיעַ\׃tar.Shi.a'will you condemn as guiltyH7561

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 34:17

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • Romans 9:14

    What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

  • Job 40:8

    Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

  • 2 Samuel 23:3

    The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

  • Romans 3:5-7

    But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

  • Job 1:22

    In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

  • 2 Samuel 19:21

    But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
even.
Ge 18:25; 2Sa 23:3; Ro 3:5-7
govern. Heb. bind. wilt.
1:22; 40:8; 2Sa 19:21; Ro 9:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 34:16

    If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

  • Job 34:17

    Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

  • Job 34:18

    Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

Read all of Job 34

Job 34:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Enseñorearáse el que aborrece juicio? ¿y condenarás tú al que es tan justo?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui hait la justice gouvernera-t-il donc? Et condamneras-tu le juste par excellence?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sollte auch herrschen, wer das Recht haßt? oder willst du den Allgerechten verdammen?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		numquid qui non amat judicium sanari potest? et quomodo tu eum qui justus est in tantum condemnas?