Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ New Living Translation For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’ English Standard Version who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’ Berean Standard Bible who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ King James Bible Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? New King James Version Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’? New American Standard Bible Who says to a king, ‘You worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘You wicked one’; NASB 1995 Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’ NASB 1977 Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’; Legacy Standard Bible Who says to a king, ‘Vile one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’; Amplified Bible “God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’? Christian Standard Bible who says to a king, “Worthless man! ” and to nobles, “Wicked men! ”? Holman Christian Standard Bible who says to a king, “Worthless man!” and to nobles, “Wicked men!"? American Standard Version Him that saith to a king, Thou art vile, Or to nobles, Ye are wicked; Contemporary English Version Indeed, God is the one who condemns unfair rulers. English Revised Version Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art vile? or to nobles, Ye are wicked? GOD'S WORD® Translation Should anyone [even] say to a king, 'You good-for-nothing scoundrel!' or to nobles, 'You wicked people!' Good News Translation God condemns kings and rulers when they are worthless or wicked. International Standard Version Can one say to a king, 'You're vile!' or to nobles, 'You're wicked!'? Majority Standard Bible who says to kings, ?You are worthless!? and to nobles, ?You are wicked,? NET Bible who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,' New Heart English Bible Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'? Webster's Bible Translation Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? World English Bible who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho has said to a king, Worthless, "" To princes, Wicked? Young's Literal Translation Who hath said to a king -- 'Worthless,' Unto princes -- 'Wicked?' Smith's Literal Translation Saying to the king, Wickedness; (Belial) to nobles, Injustice. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho saith to the king : Thou art an apostate : who calleth rulers ungodly? Catholic Public Domain Version He says to the king, “You are an apostate.” He calls commanders impious. New American Bible Who says to a king, “You are worthless!” and to nobles, “You are wicked!” New Revised Standard Version who says to a king, ‘You scoundrel!’ and to princes, ‘You wicked men!’; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who says concerning the king that he is wicked, and yet he is a good ruler over princes and governors; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He who says evil about a King, a King of Rulers, a King of Governors OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'?-- Brenton Septuagint Translation He is ungodly that says to a king, Thou art a transgressor, that says to princes, O most ungodly one. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elihu Confirms God's Justice…17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, 18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ 19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.… Cross References Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Proverbs 8:15-16 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly. Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. Psalm 82:6-7 I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’ / But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.” Isaiah 40:23 He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless. 1 Timothy 6:15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech. Matthew 22:21 “Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” John 19:11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” Psalm 2:10-11 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. / Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Acts 4:26-27 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ / In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. 1 Kings 21:11-13 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Luke 12:11-12 When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. / For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.” Jeremiah 22:2-3 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates. / This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. Treasury of Scripture Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly? Exodus 22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. Proverbs 17:26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. Acts 23:3,5 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? … Jump to Previous Base Belial Evil-Doer Fit Kings Nobles Ones Princes Rulers Sinners Ungodly Vile Wicked WorthlessJump to Next Base Belial Evil-Doer Fit Kings Nobles Ones Princes Rulers Sinners Ungodly Vile Wicked WorthlessJob 34 1. Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice10. God omnipotent cannot be unjust 31. Man must humble himself unto God 34. Elihu reproves Job who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ This phrase highlights the sovereignty and authority of God over earthly rulers. In the biblical context, kings were often seen as the ultimate authority, but this statement underscores that even the most powerful human leaders are subject to God's judgment. The Bible frequently emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge of all people, regardless of their status (Psalm 2:10-12). Historically, kings were considered divinely appointed, yet this verse reminds us that their power is limited and accountable to God. This can be seen in the story of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, where God humbles the king to demonstrate His supreme authority. and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ Persons / Places / Events 1. ElihuA young man who speaks in the Book of Job, offering a perspective on Job's suffering and God's justice. He is the speaker in this verse. 2. Kings and Nobles Representing those in positions of power and authority, whom Elihu addresses in his discourse. 3. Job The central figure of the book, a man who suffers greatly and seeks understanding of his plight. 4. God The ultimate judge and authority, whose justice and righteousness are themes throughout the Book of Job. 5. The Book of Job A poetic and philosophical text in the Old Testament that explores themes of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over Earthly PowersGod holds ultimate authority over all rulers and authorities. No position of power is beyond His judgment or correction. The Fallibility of Human Authority Earthly leaders, regardless of their status, are fallible and can be deemed worthless or wicked without adherence to God's righteousness. Humility Before God Those in positions of power should exercise humility, recognizing that their authority is granted by God and subject to His will. The Importance of Righteous Leadership Leaders are called to lead with integrity and righteousness, aligning their actions with God's standards to avoid divine rebuke. Trust in Divine Justice Believers can trust that God will ultimately judge all leaders and authorities, ensuring justice and righteousness prevail.(18) Is it fit to say to a king?--The argument is from the less to the greater. "Who could challenge a king or princes? and if not a king, how much less the King of kings?" There is a strong ellipse in the Hebrew, but yet one that is naturally supplied. (Comp. Psalm 137:5.)Verse 18. - Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? Would any subject of an earthly king deem it fitting to accuse his sovereign of wicked and unjust conduct? Would he even tax those who stood next to the king - the princes and great officers of the court - with ungodliness? If a sense of what is becoming and seemly would restrain a man from the use of language of this sort towards his earthly ruler, can it be right that he should allow himself in such liberty or speech towards his heavenly King, his absolute Lord and Master? Job had not really used such language of God, though the complaints which he had made with respect to God's treatment of him might not unreasonably be held to imply some such accusation. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew who saysהַאֲמֹ֣ר (ha·’ă·mōr) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say to kings, לְמֶ֣לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king ‘[You are] worthless!’ בְּלִיָּ֑עַל (bə·lî·yā·‘al) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1100: Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness and to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to nobles, נְדִיבִֽים׃ (nə·ḏî·ḇîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 5081: Voluntary, generous, magnanimous, a grandee ‘[You are] wicked,’ רָ֝שָׁ֗ע (rā·šā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person Links Job 34:18 NIVJob 34:18 NLT Job 34:18 ESV Job 34:18 NASB Job 34:18 KJV Job 34:18 BibleApps.com Job 34:18 Biblia Paralela Job 34:18 Chinese Bible Job 34:18 French Bible Job 34:18 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 34:18 Who says to a king 'Vile! (Jb) |
    |