Job 34:9

Job 34:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
• New International Version (NIV)For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
• English Standard Version (ESV)For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'
• New King James Version (NKJV)For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’

Context of Job 34:9

7What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, 8Who goes in company with those who do evil And walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’ 10“Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. 11For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way.

Job 34:9 word by word

כִּֽי־אָ֭מַר לֹ֣א יִסְכָּן־גָּ֑בֶר בִּ֝רְצֹת֗וֹ עִם־אֱלֹהִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For he hath saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• It profitethסָכַןsâkan · be usefulH5532
• a manגָּבֶרgeber · great manH1397
• nothing that he should delightרָצָהrâtsâh · to acceptH7521
• himself with Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430

Cross-references for Job 34:9

• Job 9:22It is all one; therefore I say, ‘He destroys [both] the blameless and the wicked.’
• Job 21:14Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.
• Job 22:17They said to God, ‘Depart from us! What can the Almighty do for us or to us?’
• Job 35:3For you say, ‘What advantage have you [by living a righteous life]? What profit will I have, more [by being righteous] than if I had sinned?’
• Malachi 3:14You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God. What profit is it if we keep His ordinances, and walk around like mourners before the Lord of hosts?
• Job 27:10Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times?
• Psalms 37:4Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.

Commentaries on Job 34:9

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself in God - That is, there is no advantage in piety, and in endeavoring to serve God. It will make no difference in the divine dealings with him. He will be treated just as well if he lives a life of sin, as if he undertakes to live after the severest rules of piety. Job had not used precisely this language, but in Job 9:22, he had expressed nearly the same sentiment. It is probable…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9Elihu later repeated this accusation (35:3; compare Psalm 73:13; Zephaniah 1:12; Malachi 3:14). But he misrepresented Job’s words (Job 9:22–23; 21:15). Job had actually criticized those who had this perspective (21:14–16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. with God--in intimacy (Psa 50:18, Margin).Read the comment

Topics related to Job 34:9

• Blasphemy
• Infidelity

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Chastisement
• Choose
• Dust
• Elihu
• Fit
• Shebna

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