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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 34:17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/34-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/18_Job_34_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 34:17 - Elihu Confirms God's Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Could one who hates justice govern? 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Will you condemn the just and mighty One?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn <i>Him who is</i> most just?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn a righteous mighty one,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just <i>and</i> mighty?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The mighty God is the one who brings about justice, and you are condemning him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Shall even one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just and mighty?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Should anyone who hates justice be allowed to govern? Will you condemn the one who is righteous and mighty?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Are you condemning the righteous God? Do you think that he hates justice? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Can one who hates justice really govern? And if God is righteous and mighty, can you condemn him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, does one hating justice govern? Or do you condemn the Most Just?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also shall he hating judgment, rule? and if thou wilt condemn the just mighty one?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Is he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is just?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Can an enemy of justice be in control, will you condemn the supreme Just One, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who hates justice cannot be declared innocent, and he who is innocent will not be condemned justly;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Whoever hates judgment is unjust, and if one is innocent, he is not justly condemned<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/34-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=5273" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm">Elihu Confirms God's Justice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ha·’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">Could</a> <a href="/hebrew/8130.htm" title="8130: śō·w·nê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">one who hates</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- Judgment. ">justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/2280.htm" title="2280: ya·ḥă·ḇō·wōš (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To bind, bind on, bind up. A primitive root; to wrap firmly; figuratively, to stop, to rule.">govern?</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/7561.htm" title="7561: tar·šî·a‘ (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To be wicked, act wickedly. A primitive root; to be wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate.">Will you condemn</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">the just</a> <a href="/hebrew/3524.htm" title="3524: kab·bîr (Adj-ms) -- Great, mighty, much. From kabar; vast, whether in extent, or in number, many.">and mighty One,</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/11-7.htm">Psalm 11:7</a></span><br />For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-5.htm">Psalm 33:5</a></span><br />The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a></span><br />For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/45-7.htm">Psalm 45:7</a></span><br />You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/99-4.htm">Psalm 99:4</a></span><br />The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-137.htm">Psalm 119:137</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-8.htm">Isaiah 61:8</a></span><br />For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-24.htm">Jeremiah 9:24</a></span><br />But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></span><br />Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6-11</a></span><br />God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-6</a></span><br />But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. / Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Romans 11:22</a></span><br />Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6</a></span><br />After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?</p><p class="hdg">even</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a></b></br> That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/23-3.htm">2 Samuel 23:3</a></b></br> The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men <i>must be</i> just, ruling in the fear of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-7</a></b></br> But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? <i>Is</i> God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) … </p><p class="hdg">govern.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-22.htm">Job 1:22</a></b></br> In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-8.htm">Job 40:8</a></b></br> Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/19-21.htm">2 Samuel 19:21</a></b></br> But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/32-3.htm">Condemn</a> <a href="/job/34-12.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-10.htm">Govern</a> <a href="/job/31-29.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-16.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/job/16-9.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/job/8-22.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/job/33-14.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/job/34-12.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/34-10.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/34-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/34-5.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/25-2.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/job/34-12.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/job/34-5.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/job/30-23.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/34-29.htm">Condemn</a> <a href="/job/34-22.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/9-8.htm">Govern</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/psalms/11-5.htm">Hates</a> <a href="/psalms/11-5.htm">Hateth</a> <a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/job/35-13.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/job/35-2.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/34-20.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/34-23.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/35-7.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/job/34-30.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/job/35-13.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/job/35-7.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/job/34-33.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Job 34</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-1.htm">Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-10.htm">God omnipotent cannot be unjust</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-31.htm">Man must humble himself unto God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/34-34.htm">Elihu reproves Job</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Could one who hates justice govern?</b><br>This rhetorical question challenges the idea that someone who despises justice could effectively rule. In the biblical context, justice is a fundamental attribute of God's character (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>). The question implies that a ruler must love justice to govern rightly, reflecting the divine order. Historically, ancient Near Eastern kings were often seen as representatives of divine justice, tasked with maintaining order and fairness. This phrase also echoes the wisdom literature's emphasis on justice as a cornerstone of righteous leadership (<a href="/proverbs/29-4.htm">Proverbs 29:4</a>).<p><b>Will you condemn the just and mighty One,</b><br>This phrase addresses the folly of condemning God, who is both just and mighty. The "just and mighty One" refers to God, whose justice is perfect and whose power is unmatched (<a href="/psalms/89-14.htm">Psalm 89:14</a>). The rhetorical question underscores the absurdity of questioning God's righteousness. In the broader biblical narrative, God's justice is often linked with His might, as seen in His deliverance of Israel from Egypt (<a href="/exodus/15-6.htm">Exodus 15:6</a>). This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate justice and might displayed in Jesus Christ, who embodies divine justice and power (<a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elihu.htm">Elihu</a></b><br>A young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a perspective on God's justice and sovereignty. Elihu is portrayed as a passionate defender of God's righteousness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man of great faith who undergoes severe trials and questions the justice of his suffering. Job's account is a profound exploration of human suffering and divine justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (The Just and Mighty One)</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and embodiment of justice and righteousness. Elihu defends God's character against any accusation of injustice.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who argue that Job's suffering must be due to his sin, reflecting a retributive view of justice.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>The land of Uz, where Job's account unfolds, serving as a backdrop for the exploration of divine justice and human suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>God, as the ultimate ruler, embodies perfect justice. His governance is inherently righteous, and His decisions are beyond human reproach.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitations_in_understanding_divine_justice.htm">Human Limitations in Understanding Divine Justice</a></b><br>Our finite understanding cannot fully grasp God's ways. Trusting in His justice requires faith, especially when circumstances seem unjust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_condemning_god.htm">The Danger of Condemning God</a></b><br>Questioning God's justice can lead to a dangerous path of self-righteousness. We must approach God with humility, acknowledging His wisdom and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering_in_understanding_justice.htm">The Role of Suffering in Understanding Justice</a></b><br>Suffering can challenge our perceptions of justice, but it also provides an opportunity to deepen our trust in God's righteous character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_defending_god's_character.htm">The Importance of Defending God's Character</a></b><br>Like Elihu, believers are called to defend God's justice and righteousness, especially when faced with accusations or misunderstandings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 34</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_17_3_fit_god's_justice.htm">How does Job's plea for a guarantor in Job 17:3 align with the broader biblical view of God's sovereignty and justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_tell_divine_justice_from_chance.htm">Job 34:29 - If God can remain silent, how can we reliably distinguish divine justice from random events or coincidences?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_romans_12_14_align_with_ot_warfare.htm">In Romans 12:14, how does 'blessing those who persecute you' align with Old Testament passages that command warfare or retribution?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_15_34-35_align_with_god's_mercy.htm">In Job 15:34-35, how can the harsh depiction of divine judgment be squared with other biblical passages emphasizing God's mercy (e.g., Psalm 103:8)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Shall even he. . . .</span>--The argument is that one who holds such a position of absolute rule cannot be other than most just. He who is fit to rule must be just, and He who is the ultimate ruler must be fit to rule, and must, therefore, be just; but if He is absolutely just, how shall we condemn His government or Him on account of it, even though we cannot explain it all or reconcile it with our view of what is right?<p><span class= "bld">Him that is most just, </span>is rather <span class= "ital">him that is just </span>and <span class= "ital">mighty, i.e., </span>not only just, but able also to execute justice because mighty.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Shall even he that hateth right govern?</span> Is it conceivable that there can be at the head of the universe, its Ruler and Guide, One who hates justice? The appeal is to the instinctive feeling that in the one God perfect goodness and omnipotence are united. Its spirit is exactly that of Abraham's question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (see <a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Genesis 18:5</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And wilt thou condemn him that is most just?</span> rather, <span class="accented">him that is both just and strong</span> (see the Revised Version). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/34-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Could</span><br /><span class="heb">הַאַ֬ף</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one who hates</span><br /><span class="heb">שׂוֹנֵ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(śō·w·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">justice</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּ֣ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">govern?</span><br /><span class="heb">יַחֲב֑וֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ya·ḥă·ḇō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2280.htm">Strong's 2280: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Will you condemn</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּרְשִֽׁיעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tar·šî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7561.htm">Strong's 7561: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, wrong, to disturb, violate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the just</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֖יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mighty One,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּבִּ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(kab·bîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3524.htm">Strong's 3524: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, mighty, much</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/34-17.htm">Job 34:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/34-17.htm">OT Poetry: Job 34:17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/34-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 34:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 34:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/34-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 34:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 34:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>