Job 34:37 Meaning and Explanation
“For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu charges that Job compounds sin with rebellion, gesturing defiantly and multiplying words against God.
What Does Job 34:37 Mean?
Elihu closes his speech with his sharpest accusation: Job 'addeth rebellion unto his sin,' claps his hands in defiance 'among us,' and 'multiplieth his words against God.' In Elihu's eyes, Job's continued protest is no longer mere error but mounting rebellion, an excess of speech aimed against the Almighty.
Yet the reader knows what Elihu does not: that God will commend Job for speaking what is right, even as He corrects him. The warning against multiplying words against God stands, for 'in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.' But Elihu's verdict is too severe. The chapter leaves us longing for the voice of God Himself, who alone judges the heart truly and who answers Job not with condemnation but with His own overwhelming presence.
Job 34:37 in the Original Language
pesha' (פֶּשַׁע), 'rebellion' -- transgression or revolt, a deliberate breaking away from rightful authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:37
What does Job 34:37 mean?
Elihu charges that Job compounds sin with rebellion, gesturing defiantly and multiplying words against God.