Job 34:14

Job 34:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
• New International Version (NIV)If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
• English Standard Version (ESV)If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
• New King James Version (NKJV)If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,

Context of Job 34:14

12Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. 13Who put God in charge over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world? If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath, 15All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. 16“If you now have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.

Job 34:14 word by word

אִם־יָשִׂ֣ים אֵלָ֣יו לִבּ֑וֹ רוּח֥וֹ וְ֝נִשְׁמָת֗וֹ אֵלָ֥יו יֶאֱסֹֽף׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If he setשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: makeH7760
• his heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• he gatherאָסַף'âsaph · to gatherH622
• unto himself his spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• and his breathנְשָׁמָהneshâmâh · breathH5397

Cross-references for Job 34:14

• Job 7:17What is man that You [should] magnify him [and think him important]? And that You are concerned about him?
• Job 9:4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; Who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?
• Psalms 104:29You hide Your face, they are dismayed; You take away their breath, they die And return to their dust.
• Isaiah 24:22They will be gathered together As prisoners [are gathered] in a dungeon; They will be shut up in prison, And after many days they will be visited and punished.

Commentaries on Job 34:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14If he set his heart upon man - I think this and the following verse should be read thus: - "If he set his heart upon man, he will gather his soul and breath to himself; for all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust." On whomsoever God sets his heart, that is, his love, though his body shall perish and turn to dust, like the rest of men, yet his soul will God gather to himself.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14If he set his heart upon man - Margin, as in Hebrew “upon him” - meaning “man.” That is, if he fixes his attention particularly on him, or should form a purpose in regard him. The argument seems to be tbis. “If God wished such a thing, and should set his heart upon it, he could easily cut off the whole race. He has power to do it, and no one can deny him the right. Man has no claim to life, but he who gave it has a right to withdraw it, and the race is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-15Verses 10-15 Elihu had showed Job, that God meant him no hurt by afflicting him, but intended his spiritual benefit. Here he shows, that God did him no wrong by afflicting him. If the former did not satisfy him, this ought to silence him. God cannot do wickedness, nor the Almighty commit wrong. If services now go unrewarded, and sins now go unpunished, yet there is a day coming, when God will fully render to every man according to his works. Further…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-15The passage connects three ideas to the belief that God can do no wrong (34:10, 12): God rewards or punishes people based on their actions (34:11); As the creator, God does not have to answer to anyone (34:13). Every living being relies on God for life. God can take life away without being wrong (34:14–15; compare Romans 9:19–29).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-1514-15. "If He were to set His heart on man," either to injure him, or to take strict account of his sins. The connection supports rather [Umbreit], "If He had regard to himself (only), and were to gather unto Himself (Psa 104:29) man's spirit, &c. (which he sends forth, Psa 104:30; Ec 12:7), all flesh must perish together," &c. (Ge 3:19). God's loving preservation of His creatures proves He cannot be selfish, and therefore cannot be unjust.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 34:14

• Death
• God
• Life

In the dictionaries

• Chastisement
• Choose
• Dust
• Elihu
• Fit
• Death
• Providence
• Psychology
• Spirit

Commentaries on Job 34

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings