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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 34:9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/34-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/18_Job_34_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 34:9 - Elihu Confirms God's Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.'" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/34-8.htm" title="Job 34:8">◄</a> Job 34:9 <a href="/job/34-10.htm" title="Job 34:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/34.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For he says, &#8216There is no profit in trying to please God.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For he has said, ‘It is of no use to a man When he becomes friends with God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For he has said, &#8216It profits a man nothing When he is pleased with God.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he is pleased with God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It is of no use to a man When he is pleased with God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight <i>and</i> is pleased with God <i>and</i> obeys Him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For he has said, “A man gains nothing when he becomes God’s friend.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For he has said, &#8220A man gains nothing when he becomes God&#8217s friend.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />because he has said, "It doesn't pay to please God." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For he hath said, it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He says, 'It doesn't do any good to try to please God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He says that it never does any good to try to follow God's will. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because he says, 'There's no profit for a man to find joy with God.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For he has said, ?It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For he has said, It does not profit a man "" When he delights himself with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For he hath said, 'It doth not profit a man, When he delighteth himself with God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For he said, It will not profit a man in delighting himself with God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For he hath said : Man shall not please God, although he run with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For he has said, “Man will not please God, even if he should travel with him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When he says, “There is no profit in pleasing God.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It profits one nothing to take delight in God.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For he has said that a man is not justified because he fears God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You said that a man is not just when he is a worshiper of God<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing That he should be in accord with God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For thou shouldest not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas <i>there is</i> a visitation on him from the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/34-9.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=5221" 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">8</span>He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he has said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5532.htm" title="5532: yis·kān- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary.">‘It profits</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: gā·ḇer (N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/7521.htm" title="7521: bir·ṣō·ṯōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To be pleased with, accept favorably. A primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt.">that he should delight</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.…<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/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11-13</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” / Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth. / Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Malachi 3:14-15</a></span><br />You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts? / So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3</a></span><br />“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-2</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? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:12-14</a></span><br />Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. / There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></span><br />He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a></span><br />They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Psalm 14:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/36-1.htm">Psalm 36:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. / For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10-13</a></span><br />For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. / Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes. / But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-4.htm">2 Peter 3:4</a></span><br />“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-8</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? / However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1-2</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? / Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-32.htm">1 Corinthians 15:32</a></span><br />If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-4.htm">2 Timothy 3:4-5</a></span><br />traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, / having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.</p><p class="hdg">It</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Job 9:22,23,30,31</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> one <i>thing</i>, therefore I said <i>it</i>, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-14.htm">Job 21:14-16,30</a></b></br> Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/22-17.htm">Job 22:17</a></b></br> Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?</p><p class="hdg">delight</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-10.htm">Job 27:10</a></b></br> Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4</a></b></br> Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-27.htm">Accord</a> <a href="/job/27-10.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/job/20-20.htm">Delighteth</a> <a href="/job/33-1.htm">Please</a> <a href="/job/22-22.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/job/33-27.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Profiteth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">Profits</a> <a href="/job/34-3.htm">Tries</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/83-5.htm">Accord</a> <a href="/psalms/1-2.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/psalms/22-8.htm">Delighteth</a> <a href="/psalms/69-31.htm">Please</a> <a href="/psalms/20-3.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/job/35-3.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Profiteth</a> <a href="/psalms/62-10.htm">Profits</a> <a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Tries</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>For he has said</b><br>This phrase introduces the words of Elihu, one of Job's friends, who is responding to Job's earlier complaints about his suffering. Elihu is attempting to summarize Job's perspective, though he may not fully capture Job's intent. This reflects the ongoing dialogue and debate among Job and his friends about the nature of suffering and righteousness. Elihu's speeches are unique in the Book of Job as they attempt to offer a different perspective from the other friends, focusing on God's justice and sovereignty.<p><b>‘It profits a man nothing</b><br>Elihu is suggesting that Job has implied that serving God brings no tangible benefit, especially in light of his suffering. This reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief that the righteous should be rewarded and the wicked punished. The idea of profit or gain from serving God is a recurring theme in wisdom literature, contrasting with the prosperity gospel notion that righteousness leads to material blessings. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the intrinsic value of righteousness apart from material gain.<p><b>that he should delight in God.’</b><br>Delighting in God implies a deep, personal relationship and joy in God's presence, beyond mere obedience or ritual. Elihu's interpretation of Job's words suggests a misunderstanding of Job's faith, as Job's lamentations are more about his confusion and pain rather than a rejection of God. This phrase invites reflection on the nature of true worship and devotion, which is not contingent on external circumstances. It echoes themes found in Psalms, where delighting in the Lord is associated with spiritual fulfillment and peace (e.g., <a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4</a>). This also foreshadows New Testament teachings on finding joy in Christ regardless of trials (e.g., <a href="/philippians/4-4.htm">Philippians 4:4</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 different perspective on Job's suffering. He is the speaker in <a href="/bsb/job/34.htm">Job 34</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A righteous man who suffers immense loss and physical affliction, questioning the justice of God.<br><br>3. <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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and judge, whose justice and righteousness are central themes in the Book of Job.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>The ongoing conversation between Job, his friends, and Elihu, exploring themes of suffering, justice, and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_misinterpretation.htm">Understanding Misinterpretation</a></b><br>Elihu misinterprets Job's words, suggesting that Job believes there is no benefit in delighting in God. This teaches us to be careful in understanding others' perspectives and not to jump to conclusions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_righteousness.htm">The Value of Righteousness</a></b><br>Despite the trials and suffering, the Bible consistently teaches that delighting in God and living righteously is ultimately rewarding, both spiritually and eternally.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_trials.htm">Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Job's account encourages believers to maintain faith and integrity even when circumstances seem to suggest that there is no immediate benefit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_timing.htm">God's Justice and Timing</a></b><br>Trusting in God's justice and timing is crucial, as His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and His plans are ultimately for our good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_counsel.htm">The Role of Counsel</a></b><br>Elihu's role reminds us of the importance of wise and compassionate counsel, especially when addressing those who are suffering.<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/what_happens_if_you_abandon_faith.htm">What does it profit to gain the world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_noah_and_job_called_righteous.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 claims no one is righteous--how does this align with biblical figures like Noah and Job who are described as righteous?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_7_20_conflict_with_nt's_grace.htm">Does Job 7:20's portrayal of God as a watcher or observer of human sin conflict with the New Testament depiction of a forgiving, grace-filled God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job_9_7_poetic_or_literal.htm">In Job 9:7, the text suggests God can command the sun not to rise, but astronomy shows consistent solar cycles--does this imply poetic exaggeration or a literal event?</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>(9) <span class= "bld">It profiteth a man nothing.</span>--Comp. what Job had said (<a href="/context/job/9-20.htm" title="If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.">Job 9:20-22</a>; <a href="/context/job/9-30.htm" title="If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;">Job 9:30-31</a>; <a href="/context/job/10-6.htm" title="That you enquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin?">Job 10:6-7</a>; <a href="/context/job/10-14.htm" title="If I sin, then you mark me, and you will not acquit me from my iniquity.">Job 10:14-15</a>). Eliphaz had virtually said the same thing, though the form in which he cast it was the converse of this (see <a href="/job/22-3.htm" title="Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? or is it gain to him, that you make your ways perfect?">Job 22:3</a>), for he had represented it as a matter of indifference to <span class= "ital">God </span>whether man was righteous or not, which was, of course, to sap the foundations of all morality; for if God cares not whether man is righteous or not, it certainly cannot <span class= "ital">profit </span>man to be righteous. On the other hand, Eliphaz had in form uttered the opposite doctrine (<a href="/job/22-21.htm" title="Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come to you.">Job 22:21</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God</span>. Again it must be remarked that Job had not said this. The nearest approach to it is to be found in <a href="/job/9-22.htm">Job 9:22</a>, where this passage occurs: "It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked" (Revised Version). Elsewhere Job speaks, not generally, but of his own individual case, remarking that his righteousness has not saved him from calamity (<a href="/job/9-17.htm">Job 9:17, 18</a>; <a href="/job/10-15.htm">Job 10:15</a>; <a href="/job/17-9.htm">Job 17:9</a>-17, etc.). And the fact is one that causes him the deepest perplexity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/34-9.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he has said,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֭מַר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘It profits</span><br /><span class="heb">יִסְכָּן־</span> <span class="translit">(yis·kān-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5532.htm">Strong's 5532: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be familiar with, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּ֑בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(gā·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that he should delight</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֝רְצֹת֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bir·ṣō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7521.htm">Strong's 7521: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God.’</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/34-9.htm">OT Poetry: Job 34:9 For he has said 'It profits (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/34-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 34:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 34:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/34-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 34:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 34:10" /></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>