Job 34:33
Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Original Language Analysis
הֲֽמֵעִמְּךָ֬
H5973
הֲֽמֵעִמְּךָ֬
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
1 of 12
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְשַׁלְמֶ֨נָּה׀
Should it be according to thy mind he will recompense
H7999
יְשַׁלְמֶ֨נָּה׀
Should it be according to thy mind he will recompense
Strong's:
H7999
Word #:
2 of 12
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
כִּי
it whether thou refuse
H3588
כִּי
it whether thou refuse
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָאַ֗סְתָּ
H3988
כִּי
it whether thou refuse
H3588
כִּי
it whether thou refuse
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִבְחַ֣ר
or whether thou choose
H977
תִבְחַ֣ר
or whether thou choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וּֽמַה
H4100
וּֽמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern texts (e.g., Babylonian Theodicy) featured dialogues questioning divine justice. Biblical faith uniquely permits questioning God while ultimately requiring submission. Prophets challenged God (Jeremiah 12:1, Habakkuk 1:2-4) but bowed to divine sovereignty (Jeremiah 12:5-6, Habakkuk 2:4). Job's friends demanded immediate submission; Elihu permits questions but ultimately points to God's incomprehensibility. This prepares for divine answer that neither explains nor condemns Job's questioning but reveals God's transcendent majesty.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we balance honest questioning with submission to divine sovereignty?
- What does the cross reveal about God's character that answers theodicy's questions?
- How should we respond when God's ways contradict our moral intuitions?
Analysis & Commentary
Should it be according to thy mind? (הֲמֵעִמְּךָ יְשַׁלְּמֶנָּה, hame'immekha yeshallemennah)—Elihu challenges Job: should God govern according to Job's standards? The phrase he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose (כִּי־אַתָּה מָאַסְתָּ כִּי־אַתָּה תִבְחַר, ki-attah ma'asta ki-attah tivchar) uses ma'as (מָאַס, "to reject") and bachar (בָּחַר, "to choose"). God's justice operates independently of human approval or rejection. The phrase and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest (וְלֹא־אָנִי וּמַה־יָדַעְתָּ דַּבֵּר) shifts burden to Job—if you know better, speak.
This is theodicy's central question: does God answer to human moral intuitions, or do we submit to His revealed character? Isaiah 55:8-9 answers: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." Romans 9:20 challenges: "Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" Yet Scripture also validates lament and questioning (Habakkuk, Psalms). The gospel resolves this: the cross reveals God's justice and mercy united (Romans 3:25-26)—satisfying both divine righteousness and human need.