Job 34:14 Meaning and Explanation
“If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu observes that human life depends entirely on God, who gives and could withdraw the breath of life.
What Does Job 34:14 Mean?
Elihu turns to the fragility of human life before God. If God were to 'set his heart' on reclaiming what He gave -- gathering back the 'spirit' and 'breath' He breathed into us -- the result would be immediate. This verse and the next form a single thought: all our living hangs upon His sustaining gift.
Far from a threat, this is a window into our utter dependence. The breath in our lungs is not our own possession but a gift continually given. 'In him we live, and move, and have our being.' The same God who formed the first man from the dust and breathed life into him sustains every soul moment by moment. To know this is to live in humble gratitude, holding life as the loan it is.
Job 34:14 in the Original Language
ruach (רוּחַ), 'spirit' -- the breath or life-giving wind of God that animates living things.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:14
What does Job 34:14 mean?
Elihu observes that human life depends entirely on God, who gives and could withdraw the breath of life.