Job 34:29

Authorized King James Version

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When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

Original Language Analysis

וְה֤וּא H1931
וְה֤וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 1 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יַשְׁקִ֨ט׀ When he giveth quietness H8252
יַשְׁקִ֨ט׀ When he giveth quietness
Strong's: H8252
Word #: 2 of 13
to repose (usually figurative)
וּמִ֥י H4310
וּמִ֥י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 3 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יַרְשִׁ֗עַ who then can make trouble H7561
יַרְשִׁ֗עַ who then can make trouble
Strong's: H7561
Word #: 4 of 13
to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
וְיַסְתֵּ֣ר and when he hideth H5641
וְיַסְתֵּ֣ר and when he hideth
Strong's: H5641
Word #: 5 of 13
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
פָּ֭נִים his face H6440
פָּ֭נִים his face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 6 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּמִ֣י H4310
וּמִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 7 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ who then can behold H7789
יְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ who then can behold
Strong's: H7789
Word #: 8 of 13
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גּ֖וֹי him whether it be done against a nation H1471
גּ֖וֹי him whether it be done against a nation
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 10 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 11 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אָדָ֣ם or against a man H120
אָדָ֣ם or against a man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 12 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
יָֽחַד׃ only H3162
יָֽחַד׃ only
Strong's: H3162
Word #: 13 of 13
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Analysis & Commentary

Elihu observes: 'When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?' This acknowledges divine sovereignty over both blessing and hiddenness. Yet asserting God's power doesn't answer why He hides His face from the righteous.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern theology recognized divine hiddenness as judgment. Elihu assumes Job's suffering stems from sin requiring God to hide His face.

Questions for Reflection