Job 34:19

Authorized King James Version

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How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

Original Language Analysis

אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 1 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָשָׂ֨א׀ How much less to him that accepteth H5375
נָשָׂ֨א׀ How much less to him that accepteth
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 3 of 14
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לִפְנֵי more than H6440
לִפְנֵי more than
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שָׂרִ֗ים of princes H8269
שָׂרִ֗ים of princes
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 5 of 14
a head person (of any rank or class)
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִכַּר nor regardeth H5234
נִכַּר nor regardeth
Strong's: H5234
Word #: 7 of 14
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
שׁ֭וֹעַ the rich H7771
שׁ֭וֹעַ the rich
Strong's: H7771
Word #: 8 of 14
a noble, i.e., liberal, opulent; also (as noun in the derived sense) a halloo
לִפְנֵי more than H6440
לִפְנֵי more than
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 9 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
דָ֑ל the poor H1800
דָ֑ל the poor
Strong's: H1800
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה for they all are the work H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה for they all are the work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 12 of 14
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדָ֣יו of his hands H3027
יָדָ֣יו of his hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 13 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כֻּלָּֽם׃ H3605
כֻּלָּֽם׃
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

Analysis & Commentary

How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands. Elihu escalates his argument: if earthly kings deserve respect (verse 18), God deserves infinitely more because He shows no partiality. The phrase "accepteth not the persons" (lo' nasa pene, לֹא נָשָׂא פְנֵי) literally means "does not lift up the face"—a Hebrew idiom for showing favoritism or partiality. God's impartiality appears throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 10:17, Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11).

Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor uses nakar (נָכַר, regardeth) meaning to recognize, acknowledge, or show preference. Shoa (שׁוֹעַ, rich) contrasts with dal (דָּל, poor), encompassing economic extremes. The reason for divine impartiality follows: they all are the work of his hands (ki ma'aseh yadav kullam, כִּי־מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו כֻּלָּם). Every person, regardless of status, is God's handiwork—created, sustained, and valued equally. This doctrine revolutionizes social ethics. Ancient Near Eastern society was rigidly hierarchical; kings and nobles had vastly more worth than peasants. God's impartial creation undermines such hierarchies, establishing equal human dignity before the Creator. The verse anticipates James 2:1-9's prohibition against favoritism in the church. Ironically, while Elihu rightly describes God's impartiality, he wrongly assumes Job's suffering must indicate God's judgment rather than recognizing that God's purposes transcend simple retribution.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern legal systems often favored the wealthy and powerful (Exodus 23:2-3, Leviticus 19:15 command impartiality, showing the problem was pervasive). Israel's covenant law mandated equal justice (Deuteronomy 1:16-17), reflecting God's character. Job himself had administered justice impartially (29:12-17). Elihu's affirmation of divine impartiality is sound theology, though his application to Job's case misses the mark—God's impartial justice doesn't preclude testing the righteous for purposes beyond punishment.

Questions for Reflection