Job 34:9 Meaning and Explanation
“For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Elihu cites Job as saying there is no profit in delighting in God, since the righteous suffer anyway.
What Does Job 34:9 Mean?
Elihu now identifies what he sees as the heart of Job's error: the claim that 'it profiteth a man nothing' to delight in God. In his anguish Job had wondered aloud whether goodness brings any reward, since the upright and the wicked seem to meet the same fate. Elihu treats this as a dangerous conclusion that strikes at the foundation of faith.
This is the very accusation the adversary once leveled in heaven: that Job served God only for gain. The deepest answer is that delighting in God is its own reward, for He is the treasure, not merely the giver of treasures. 'Delight thyself also in the LORD,' the psalmist sings, 'and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.' To love God for Himself is never profitless.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 34:9
What does Job 34:9 mean?
Elihu cites Job as saying there is no profit in delighting in God, since the righteous suffer anyway.