Job 34:5 Meaning and Explanation
“For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu summarizes Job's complaint: that he is innocent, yet God has denied him justice.
What Does Job 34:5 Mean?
Elihu now states the charge he means to answer. He quotes Job as claiming both his own righteousness and that God 'hath taken away my judgment' -- that is, withheld a fair hearing or denied him his rightful vindication. Job had indeed cried out in such terms amid his suffering, longing for someone to plead his case before God.
Elihu fastens on the danger in Job's words: not the claim of innocence, but the implication that God has dealt unfairly. It is one thing to feel the weight of unexplained suffering; it is another to charge the Judge of all the earth with injustice. The tension Job feels is real, yet the answer will not be found in accusing God, but in trusting that the One who sees all will do right.
Job 34:5 in the Original Language
tsadaq (צָדַק), 'righteous' -- to be in the right, just and innocent, conforming to what is true.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:5
What does Job 34:5 mean?
Elihu summarizes Job's complaint: that he is innocent, yet God has denied him justice.