Job 34:36 Meaning and Explanation
“My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu wishes that Job's testing would continue, because of the way Job has answered like the wicked.
What Does Job 34:36 Mean?
Elihu voices a harsh wish: that Job 'may be tried unto the end' because his answers resemble those of 'wicked men.' He believes Job's complaints have aligned him with the ungodly and that further testing would expose or correct this. The severity here shows how far Elihu has moved from comfort toward indictment.
This is where Elihu's zeal for God's honor hardens into harshness toward a suffering man -- a caution to all who would defend God by wounding the afflicted. The God whom Elihu rightly exalts will soon speak for Himself, and He will deal far more gently with Job than His young defender. Truth about God must never be wielded without the compassion of God. Zeal without tenderness can do real harm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:36
What does Job 34:36 mean?
Elihu wishes that Job's testing would continue, because of the way Job has answered like the wicked.