Job 35 KJV: Elihu’s Third Speech: Does Human Morality Matter to God?

Job 35 articulates Elihu’s difficult argument that a human’s sin doesn't hurt God, nor does a human’s righteousness help Him; God is inherently self-sufficient. He suggests that God often ignores the cries of the oppressed because they are merely 'crying out like animals' for relief rather than truly seeking their Maker.

  1. v1-8: God’s Independence from Human Actions
  2. v9-13: Why God Often Ignores the Cry of the Afflicted
  3. v14-16: Rebuking Job’s Impatience for a Verdict

Job chapter 35

Elihu spake moreover, and said,
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

Grapple with the idea of a God who is so vast that our actions cannot diminish or add to His glory, yet who still requires sincere seeking. Begin your study with job 35 summary.

Elihu says God 'gives songs in the night,' a famous phrase suggesting that true seekers find joy even in the midst of darkness. The ‘Word Secret’ is *Shav*, meaning vanity or emptiness; Elihu warns that God will not hear an empty or insincere cry. Discover the riches with job 35 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden job 35 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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2 min read (254 words)