New International Version
Job 34:18
18Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
Job 34:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
- English Standard Version (ESV)who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man,'
- New King James Version (NKJV)Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’?
- New Living Translation (NLT)For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’
Context of Job 34:18
16“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. 17Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ 19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
Read all of Job 34Job 34:18 word by word
הַאֲמֹ֣ר לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בְּלִיָּ֑עַל רָ֝שָׁ֗ע אֶל־נְדִיבִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 34:18
- Exodus 22:28“Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
- Proverbs 17:26If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
- Acts 23:3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
- Romans 13:7Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
- 1 Peter 2:17Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
- 2 Peter 2:10This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
- Jude 1:8In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.
Commentaries on Job 34:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? - The sentence is very short, and is thus translated by the Vulgate: Qui dicit regi, Apostata? Qui vocat duces impios? "Who says to a king, Apostate? Who calls leaders impious?" Literally, Who calls a king Belial? Who calls princes wicked? Civil governors should be treated with respect; no man should speak evil of the ruler of the people. This should never be permitted. Even where the man cannot be respected…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? - The argument here is this: “There would be gross impropriety in arraigning the conduct of an earthly monarch, and using language severely condemning what he does. Respect is due to those of elevated rank. Their plans are often concealed. It is difficult to judge of them until they are fully developed. To condemn those plans, and to use the language of complaint, would not be tolerated, and would be grossly…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-30Verses 16-30 Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. Literally, (Is it fit) to be said to a king? It would be a gross outrage to reproach thus an earthly monarch, much more the King of kings (Ex 22:28). But Maurer with the Septuagint and Vulgate reads, (It is not fit to accuse of injustice Him) who says to a king, Thou art wicked; to princes, Ye are ungodly; that is, who punishes impartially the great, as the small. This accords with Job 34:19.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 34:18
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
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