Job 34 · a question people ask

Elihu says God will "cause every man to find according to his ways" (34:11). Does the book say that is why Job suffered?

In the text

Elihu says, "For the work of a man he will give to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways" (34:11). Other Scripture says the like: "for you reward every man according to his work" (Psalm 62:12), and "Shall he not give to every man according to his work?" (Proverbs 24:12). In 34:11 Elihu speaks of "a man" and "every man" and doesn't name Job. Where he names Job at the chapter's end, the reason he gives is "his answering like wicked men" (34:36). The book itself tells, before any of the speeches, how Job's troubles began, and the LORD says to Satan of Job, "He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause" (2:3). The book doesn't say how 34:11 fits with 2:3. These notes set the verses side by side and give no verdict, on Job or on Elihu.

The verses

“For the work of a man he will give to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.”
Job 34:11 · World English Bible
“Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.”
Psalm 62:12 · World English Bible
“If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work?”
Proverbs 24:12 · World English Bible
“I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.”
Job 34:36 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 34

Job 34: Far be it from God

Elihu's "He sees all his goings" (34:21) shares its Hebrew for see, ways and all … steps with Job's own "Doesn’t he see my ways, and count all my steps?" (31:4). And the justice Elihu says the Almighty will not pervert (34:12) is the same word as the right in the words he reports as Job's (34:5).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions