Job 34:29 Meaning and Explanation
“When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →When God grants peace none can disturb it, and when He hides His face none can compel His attention, whether toward a nation or a single person.
What Does Job 34:29 Mean?
Elihu marvels at God's sovereign freedom. When He gives 'quietness,' no one can overturn it; when He 'hideth his face,' no one can force Him to appear. And this holds true alike 'against a nation, or against a man only' -- His rule reaches the whole people and the single soul. Peace and the sense of His presence are His to grant or withhold.
This humbles every presumption that we can manage God. We cannot manufacture His peace nor command His nearness; both are gifts of grace. Yet the same God who hides His face also promises, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' When His presence seems withdrawn, faith waits, trusting that the One who gives quietness will give it again. He is sovereign over nations and over each heart that seeks Him.
Job 34:29 in the Original Language
shaqat (שָׁקַט), 'quietness' -- rest, calm, undisturbed peace; the stillness of a land at rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:29
What does Job 34:29 mean?
When God grants peace none can disturb it, and when He hides His face none can compel His attention, whether toward a nation or a single person.