Job 35:6
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 10
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
חָ֭טָאתָ
If thou sinnest
H2398
חָ֭טָאתָ
If thou sinnest
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תִּפְעָל
what doest
H6466
תִּפְעָל
what doest
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
4 of 10
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
וְרַבּ֥וּ
be multiplied
H7231
וְרַבּ֥וּ
be multiplied
Strong's:
H7231
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, to cast together , i.e., increase, especially in number; to multiply by the myriad
פְ֝שָׁעֶ֗יךָ
thou against him or if thy transgressions
H6588
פְ֝שָׁעֶ֗יךָ
thou against him or if thy transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
7 of 10
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Historical Context
Ancient philosophy debated whether gods could be affected by human actions. Aristotle's "Unmoved Mover" was utterly transcendent and unaffected. Some Stoics believed divine apatheia (freedom from passion). Biblical theology presents God as both transcendent (unchanging in essence) and immanent (genuinely engaged with creation). God's grief over sin (Genesis 6:6) coexists with His immutability.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile God's unchanging nature with biblical descriptions of Him being grieved by sin?
- What does the cross reveal about how seriously God takes sin even though it doesn't harm His essence?
- How should understanding God's transcendence and immanence shape our view of sin's significance?
Analysis & Commentary
Elihu asks: "If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?" These rhetorical questions probe whether human sin harms God. The verb pa'al (פָּעַל, "doest") means to work or accomplish. Elihu argues that sin doesn't damage God's being—a true insight. God's perfection and self-sufficiency mean He doesn't suffer diminishment from our rebellion. However, Elihu draws a faulty conclusion: that God is therefore indifferent to sin. Reformed theology distinguishes between God's essential being (unaffected by creatures) and His relational disposition (genuinely grieved by sin). Ephesians 4:30 commands, "Grieve not the holy Spirit of God." While sin doesn't harm God's essence, it violates His holy character and grieves His covenant love. The cross demonstrates sin's seriousness—though God needed not suffer, He chose to in Christ to remedy sin's offense against His holiness.