Job 35:7 Meaning and Explanation
“If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu insists that human righteousness adds nothing to God, who needs nothing from us.
What Does Job 35:7 Mean?
The mirror image of the verse before: just as sin cannot harm God, neither can righteousness enrich Him. He receives nothing from our hand that He did not first give. Elihu answers Job's 'what profit' question by reframing the whole exchange — we do not put God in our debt by being good, as though He were the one who benefits.
This truth guards the heart against pride and bargaining alike. 'Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?' Paul asks (Romans 11:35). If goodness cannot make God beholden, then our obedience is freed to be what it should be: gratitude, not leverage. We give to Him only what already belongs to Him, and He delights to receive it not from need but from love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 35:7
What does Job 35:7 mean?
Elihu insists that human righteousness adds nothing to God, who needs nothing from us.