Job 34:14
If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָשִׂ֣ים
If he set
H7760
יָשִׂ֣ים
If he set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
2 of 8
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לִבּ֑וֹ
his heart
H3820
לִבּ֑וֹ
his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
רוּח֥וֹ
unto himself his spirit
H7307
רוּח֥וֹ
unto himself his spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 8
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern creation accounts often depicted gods creating humans as slaves to do work gods found tiresome. Scripture's doctrine is radically different—God creates freely and sustains continuously, not from need but from love. Elihu's point would have resonated in a culture aware of life's fragility, where death from disease, famine, or violence was common. Recognizing God as life's source was essential to covenant faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that every breath depends on God's active sustaining power affect your daily perspective?
- What does God's continuous sustenance of rebellious humanity reveal about His patience and grace?
- How should dependence on God for life itself shape our response to His commands and our trust in His purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; Elihu contemplates God's absolute sovereignty over human life. The conditional "if" (im, אִם) introduces a hypothetical: should God decide to recall what He has given, the consequences would be catastrophic (verse 15). "Set his heart" (yasem el-lev, יָשֵׂם אֶל־לֵב) means to fix attention or intention upon something—if God focused on withdrawing His sustaining power rather than granting it. "Gather unto himself" (asaph elav, אָסַף אֵלָיו) uses the verb for gathering, collecting, or withdrawing what was dispersed.
His spirit and his breath (rucho u-nishmato, רוּחוֹ וּנְשָׁמָתוֹ) refers to the life-giving power God breathed into humanity (Genesis 2:7). Ruach (רוּחַ) is spirit, wind, or breath—God's animating force. Neshamah (נְשָׁמָה) is breath or life-force. These terms emphasize that human life exists moment-by-moment by divine sustenance, not inherent vitality. Elihu's point is profound: life is not humanity's possession but God's continuous gift. God doesn't merely create and then leave creation autonomous; He actively sustains every breath. This anticipates Colossians 1:17 ("by him all things consist") and Acts 17:28 ("in him we live, and move, and have our being"). The verse should inspire both humility (we depend utterly on God) and worship (He mercifully sustains us despite our sin).