Job Chapter 36 · Verse 6
He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְחַיֶּ֥ה
He preserveth not the life
H2421
יְחַיֶּ֥ה
He preserveth not the life
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
2 of 6
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
רָשָׁ֑ע
of the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֑ע
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
3 of 6
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט
right
H4941
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט
right
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Psalms 140:12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.Job 5:15But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.Psalms 9:12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.Psalms 55:23But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.Psalms 72:4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:Job 21:30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern societies operated on patron-client systems where the wealthy exploited the poor with impunity. Israel's law codes uniquely protected the vulnerable (Exodus 22:21-27, Deuteronomy 15:7-11), reflecting Yahweh's character as defender of the oppressed. Job's speeches questioned whether God actually enforces this moral order. Elihu reasserts orthodox covenant theology: God judges wickedness and vindicates the righteous, even when delayed judgment tests faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does trusting God's timing for judgment affect your response to injustice in the world?
- What does God's giving 'right to the poor' reveal about His priorities in human society?
- How can we participate in God's justice for the oppressed while waiting for His ultimate judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
He preserveth not the life of the wicked—The Hebrew לֹא־יְחַיֶּה (lo-yechayeh, "does not keep alive") states God's active judgment against רָשָׁע (rasha, "the wicked")—those who live in persistent rebellion. This counters Job's complaint that the wicked prosper (21:7-13). But giveth right to the poor uses מִשְׁפַּט (mishpat, "justice/right") and עֲנִיִּים (aniyyim, "afflicted/poor"), affirming God's preferential concern for the oppressed.
Elihu presents God's moral governance: the wicked's apparent prosperity is temporary, while God ensures justice for the vulnerable. This theological principle saturates Scripture—Psalm 37:35-36 describes the wicked's sudden disappearance; Luke 1:52-53 celebrates God casting down the mighty and exalting the humble. Elihu refutes Job's complaint that God ignores injustice, insisting divine judgment operates on God's timeline, not human impatience.