God’s Word Translation
Job 34:14
14If he thought only of himself and withdrew his Spirit and his breath,
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
12Certainly, God will never do anything evil, and the Almighty will never pervert justice. 13Who put him in charge of the earth? Who appointed him to be over the whole world? If he thought only of himself and withdrew his Spirit and his breath, 15all living beings would die together, and humanity would return to dust. 16“If you understand, listen to this. Open your ears to my words!
Read all of Job 34Job 34:14 word by word
אִם־יָשִׂ֣ים אֵלָ֣יו לִבּ֑וֹ רוּח֥וֹ וְ֝נִשְׁמָת֗וֹ אֵלָ֥יו יֶאֱסֹֽף׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 34:14
- Job 7:17“What is a mortal that you should make so much of him, that you should be concerned about him?
- Job 9:4“God is wise in heart and mighty in power. Who could oppose him and win?
- Psalms 104:29You hide your face, and they are terrified. You take away their breath, and they die and return to dust.
- Isaiah 24:22They’ll be gathered like prisoners in a jail and locked in prison. After a long time they’ll be 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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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