Job 34 · Verse 18

Job 34:18

Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
Job 34:18, King James Version

Job 34:18 in other translations

BSBwho says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
WEBwho says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
ASVHim that saith to a king, Thou art vile, Or to nobles, Ye are wicked;
YLTWho hath said to a king--‘Worthless,' Unto princes--‘Wicked?'
DARBYShall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
BBEHe who says to a king, You are an evil-doer; and to rulers, You are sinners;
WebsterIs it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

What does Job 34:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. Literally, (Is it fit) to be said to a king? It would be a gross outrage to reproach thus an earthly monarch, much more the King of kings (Ex 22:28). But Maurer with the Septuagint and Vulgate reads, (It is not fit to accuse of injustice Him) who says to a king, Thou art wicked; to princes, Ye are ungodly; that is, who punishes impartially the great, as the small. This accords with Job 34:19.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? - The sentence is very short, and is thus translated by the Vulgate: Qui dicit regi, Apostata? Qui vocat duces impios? "Who says to a king, Apostate? Who calls leaders impious?" Literally, Who calls a king Belial? Who calls princes wicked? Civil governors should be treated with respect; no man should speak evil of the ruler of the people. This should never be permitted. Even where the man cannot be respected, because his moral conduct is improper, even there the office is sacred, and should be reverenced. He who permits himself to talk against the man, would destroy the office and authority, if he could.

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 34:18 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.

הַאֲמֹ֣רha.'a.Mor¿ to sayH559
לְמֶ֣לֶךְle.Me.lekhto a kingH4428
בְּלִיָּ֑עַלbe.li.Ya.'alworthless personH1100
רָ֝שָׁ֗עra.Sha'wicked [one]H7563
אֶל\־'el-toH413
נְדִיבִֽים\׃ne.di.Vimnoble [people]H5081

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

Cross references for Job 34:18

  • Exodus 22:28

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  • Proverbs 17:26

    Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

  • Romans 13:7

    Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  • Acts 23:3

    Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

  • Jude 1:8

    Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

  • Acts 23:5

    Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  • 1 Peter 2:17

    Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ex 22:28; Pr 17:26; Ac 23:3,5; Ro 13:7; 1Pe 2:17; 2Pe 2:10; Jude 1:8

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

Context

  • 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?

  • Job 34:19

    How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

Read all of Job 34

Job 34:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Hase de decir al rey: Perverso; y á los príncipes: Impíos?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Dira-t-on Bélial, au roi? – Méchants, aux nobles?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sagt man zu einem Könige: Belial, zu Edlen: Du Gottloser? -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui dicit regi: Apostata; qui vocat duces impios;