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Selected Verse: Job 34:24 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Job 34:24	Strong Concordance	He shall break in pieces [07489] mighty men [03524] without number [02714], and set [05975] others [0312] in their stead.
	King James	He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
break in pieces-- (Psa 2:9; Job 12:18; Dan 2:21).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

break in pieces-- (Psa 2:9; Job 12:18; Dan 2:21).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
He shall break in pieces - He crushes or destroys the great. He is not intimidated by their wealth, their rank, or their number. Without number - Margin, more correctly, "searching out." That is, he does it without the protracted process of a judicial investigation. The Hebrew word used here (חקר chêqer) means properly "a searching out," "an examination"; and the meaning here is, that there is no need of his going into a protracted investigation into the lives of wicked people before he brings them to punishment. He sees them at once; knows all their conduct, and may proceed against them without delay. Hence, it is that he comes often in such a sudden manner, and cuts them off. A human tribunal is under a necessity of examining witnesses and of attending to all the palliating circumstances, before it can pronounce a sentence on an offender. But it is not so with God. He judges at once and directly, and comes forth therefore in a sudden manner to cut down the guilty. And set others in their stead - Place others in the situation which they now occupy. That is, he can with the utmost case make entire revolutions among people.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
24 He breaketh the mighty in pieces without investigation And setteth others in their place. 25 Thus He seeth through their works, And causeth their overthrow by night, thus they are crushed. 26 He smiteth them after the manner of evil-doers In the sight of the public. 27 For for such purpose are they fallen away from Him And have not considered any of His ways, 28 To cause the cry of the poor to come up to Him, And that He should hear the cry of the needy. He makes short work (לא־חקר for בּלא, as Job 12:24; Job 38:26 : without research, viz., into their conduct, which is at once manifest to Him; not: in an incomprehensible manner, which is unsuitable, and still less: innumerabiles, as Jer., Syr.) with the mighty (כּבּירים, Arab. kibâr, kubarâ), and in consequence of this (fut. consec.) sets up (constituit) others, i.e., better and worthier rulers (comp. אהר, Job 8:19; Isa 55:1-13 :15), in their stead. The following לכן is not equivalent to לכן אשׁר, for which no satisfactory instance exists; on the contrary, לכן here, as more frequently, introduces not the real consequence (Job 20:2), but a logical inference, something that directly follows in and with what precedes (corresponding to the Greek ἄρα, just so, consequently), comp. Job 42:3; Isa 26:14; Isa 61:7; Jer 2:33; Jer 5:2; Zac 11:7 (vid., Khler in loc.). Thus, then, as He hereby proves, He is thoroughly acquainted with their actions (מעבּד, nowhere besides in the book of Job, an Aramaizing expression for מעשׂה). This abiding fact of divine omniscience, inferred from the previously-mentioned facts, then serves again in its turn, in Job 34:25, as the source of facts by which it is verified. לילה is by no means an obj. The expositions: et inducit noctem (Jer.), He walks in the night in which He has veiled Himself (Umbr.), convertit eos in noctem (Syr., Arab.), and such like, all read in the two words what they do not imply. It is either to be translated: He throws them by night (לילה as Job 27:20) upon the heaps (הפך as Pro 12:7), or, since the verb has no objective suff.: He maketh a reformation or overthrow during the night, i.e., creates during the night a new order of things, and they who stood at the head of the former affairs are crushed by the catastrophe. Job 34:26 The following תּחת רשׁעים cannot signify: on the place of the evil-doers, i.e., in the place where evil-doers are punished (Hirz., Hahn, and others), for תּחת (תּחתּי) only has this signification with the suff. (vid., on Hab 3:16); but not otherwise than: in the evil-doers' stead, taking them and treating them as such, as Jer. has correctly translated: quasi impios (comp. Isa 10:4, Jerome, cum interfectis). The place first mentioned afterwards is not exactly the usual place of judgment, but any place whatever where all can see it. There He smites those who hitherto held positions of eminence, as of unimpeachable honour, like the common criminal; ספק, Arab. ṣfq, complodere, and then ictu resonante percutere, as the likewise cognate Arab. sf' signifies first to box the ear (as Arab. sfq = ṣfq), then so to strike that it smacks. As little as לכן, Job 34:25, was = לכן אשׁר, just so little is אשׁר על־כּן, Job 34:27, = על־כן אשׁר (vid., on the other hand what is said on Gen 18:5 concerning כּי־על־כּן). Elihu wishes to say that they endure such a destiny of punishment, because they therefore, i.e., in order to suffer such, have turned aside from following after God, and have not thought on all His ways, i.e., guidings, by which He manifested Himself to them: they have thus sought to cause the cry of the poor to come (Jer. well renders: ut pervenire facerent ad eum) before Him (עליו, perhaps with the idea of urging forward = לפניו or בּאזניו), and that He may hear the cry of the lowly (construction exactly like Job 33:17), i.e., have sought to bring forth His avenging justice by injustice that cries aloud to heaven.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

24 He breaketh the mighty in pieces without investigation

And setteth others in their place.

25 Thus He seeth through their works,

And causeth their overthrow by night, thus they are crushed.

26 He smiteth them after the manner of evil-doers

In the sight of the public.

27 For for such purpose are they fallen away from Him

And have not considered any of His ways,

28 To cause the cry of the poor to come up to Him,

And that He should hear the cry of the needy.

He makes short work (לא־חקר for בּלא, as Job 12:24; Job 38:26 : without research, viz., into their conduct, which is at once manifest to Him; not: in an incomprehensible manner, which is unsuitable, and still less: innumerabiles, as Jer., Syr.) with the mighty (כּבּירים, Arab. kibâr, kubarâ), and in consequence of this (fut. consec.) sets up (constituit) others, i.e., better and worthier rulers (comp. אהר, Job 8:19; Isa 55:1-13 :15), in their stead. The following לכן is not equivalent to לכן אשׁר, for which no satisfactory instance exists; on the contrary, לכן here, as more frequently, introduces not the real consequence (Job 20:2), but a logical inference, something that directly follows in and with what precedes (corresponding to the Greek ἄρα, just so, consequently), comp. Job 42:3; Isa 26:14; Isa 61:7; Jer 2:33; Jer 5:2; Zac 11:7 (vid., Khler in loc.). Thus, then, as He hereby proves, He is thoroughly acquainted with their actions (מעבּד, nowhere besides in the book of Job, an Aramaizing expression for מעשׂה). This abiding fact of divine omniscience, inferred from the previously-mentioned facts, then serves again in its turn, in Job 34:25, as the source of facts by which it is verified. לילה is by no means an obj. The expositions: et inducit noctem (Jer.), He walks in the night in which He has veiled Himself (Umbr.), convertit eos in noctem (Syr., Arab.), and such like, all read in the two words what they do not imply. It is either to be translated: He throws them by night (לילה as Job 27:20) upon the heaps (הפך as Pro 12:7), or, since the verb has no objective suff.: He maketh a reformation or overthrow during the night, i.e., creates during the night a new order of things, and they who stood at the head of the former affairs are crushed by the catastrophe.

Job 34:26

The following תּחת רשׁעים cannot signify: on the place of the evil-doers, i.e., in the place where evil-doers are punished (Hirz., Hahn, and others), for תּחת (תּחתּי) only has this signification with the suff. (vid., on Hab 3:16); but not otherwise than: in the evil-doers' stead, taking them and treating them as such, as Jer. has correctly translated: quasi impios (comp. Isa 10:4, Jerome, cum interfectis). The place first mentioned afterwards is not exactly the usual place of judgment, but any place whatever where all can see it. There He smites those who hitherto held positions of eminence, as of unimpeachable honour, like the common criminal; ספק, Arab. ṣfq, complodere, and then ictu resonante percutere, as the likewise cognate Arab. sf' signifies first to box the ear (as Arab. sfq = ṣfq), then so to strike that it smacks. As little as לכן, Job 34:25, was = לכן אשׁר, just so little is אשׁר על־כּן, Job 34:27, = על־כן אשׁר (vid., on the other hand what is said on Gen 18:5 concerning כּי־על־כּן). Elihu wishes to say that they endure such a destiny of punishment, because they therefore, i.e., in order to suffer such, have turned aside from following after God, and have not thought on all His ways, i.e., guidings, by which He manifested Himself to them: they have thus sought to cause the cry of the poor to come (Jer. well renders: ut pervenire facerent ad eum) before Him (עליו, perhaps with the idea of urging forward = לפניו or בּאזניו), and that He may hear the cry of the lowly (construction exactly like Job 33:17), i.e., have sought to bring forth His avenging justice by injustice that cries aloud to heaven.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
He shall break in pieces - In multitudes of cases God depresses the proud, and raises up the humble and meek. Neither their strength nor number can afford them security.

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²¹ And he changeth [08133] the times [05732] and the seasons [02166]: he removeth [05709] kings [04430], and setteth up [06966] kings [04430]: he giveth [03052] wisdom [02452] unto the wise [02445], and knowledge [04486] to them that know [03046] understanding [0999]:

¹⁸ He looseth [06605] the bond [04148] of kings [04428], and girdeth [0631] their loins [04975] with a girdle [0232].

⁹ Thou shalt break [07489] them with a rod [07626] of iron [01270]; thou shalt dash them in pieces [05310] like a potter's [03335] vessel [03627].

¹⁷ That he may withdraw [05493] man [0120] from his purpose [04639], and hide [03680] pride [01466] from man [01397].

⁵ And I will fetch [03947] a morsel [06595] of bread [03899], and comfort ye [05582] your hearts [03820]; after that [0310] ye shall pass on [05674]: for therefore are ye come [05674] to [05921] your servant [05650]. And they said [01696], So do [06213], as thou hast said [0559].

²⁷ Because they turned back [05493] from him [0310], and would not consider [07919] any of his ways [01870]:

²⁵ Therefore he knoweth [05234] their works [04566], and he overturneth [02015] them in the night [03915], so that they are destroyed [01792].

⁴ Without me they shall [01115] bow down [03766] under the prisoners [0616], and they shall fall [05307] under the slain [02026]. For all this his anger [0639] is not turned away [07725], but his hand [03027] is stretched out still [05186].

¹⁶ When I heard [08085], my belly [0990] trembled [07264]; my lips [08193] quivered [06750] at the voice [06963]: rottenness [07538] entered [0935] into my bones [06106], and I trembled [07264] in myself, that I might rest [05117] in the day [03117] of trouble [06869]: when he cometh up [05927] unto the people [05971], he will invade them with his troops [01464].

²⁶ He striketh [05606] them as [08478] wicked men [07563] in the open [04725] sight [07200] of others;

⁷ The wicked [07563] are overthrown [02015], and are not: but the house [01004] of the righteous [06662] shall stand [05975].

²⁰ Terrors [01091] take hold [05381] on him as waters [04325], a tempest [05492] stealeth him away [01589] in the night [03915].

²⁵ Therefore he knoweth [05234] their works [04566], and he overturneth [02015] them in the night [03915], so that they are destroyed [01792].

⁷ And I will feed [07462] the flock [06629] of slaughter [02028], even you [03651], O poor [06041] of the flock [06629]. And I took [03947] unto me two [08147] staves [04731]; the one [0259] I called [07121] Beauty [05278], and the other [0259] I called [07121] Bands [02254]; and I fed [07462] the flock [06629].

² And though they say [0559], The LORD [03068] liveth [02416]; surely they swear [07650] falsely [08267].

³³ Why trimmest [03190] thou thy way [01870] to seek [01245] love [0160]? therefore hast thou also taught [03925] the wicked ones [07451] thy ways [01870].

⁷ For your shame [01322] ye shall have double [04932]; and for confusion [03639] they shall rejoice [07442] in their portion [02506]: therefore in their land [0776] they shall possess [03423] the double [04932]: everlasting [05769] joy [08057] shall be unto them.

¹⁴ They are dead [04191], they shall not live [02421]; they are deceased [07496], they shall not rise [06965]: therefore hast thou visited [06485] and destroyed [08045] them, and made all their memory [02143] to perish [06].

³ Who is he that hideth [05956] counsel [06098] without knowledge [01847]? therefore have I uttered [05046] that I understood [0995] not; things too wonderful [06381] for me, which I knew [03045] not.

² Therefore do my thoughts [05587] cause me to answer [07725], and for this I make haste [02363].

¹ Ho [01945], every one that thirsteth [06771], come [03212] ye to the waters [04325], and he that hath no money [03701]; come [03212] ye, buy [07666], and eat [0398]; yea, come [03212], buy [07666] wine [03196] and milk [02461] without money [03701] and without price [04242].
² Wherefore do ye spend [08254] money [03701] for that which is not bread [03899]? and your labour [03018] for that which satisfieth [07654] not [03808]? hearken [08085] diligently [08085] unto me, and eat [0398] ye that which is good [02896], and let your soul [05315] delight [06026] itself in fatness [01880].
³ Incline [05186] your ear [0241], and come [03212] unto me: hear [08085], and your soul [05315] shall live [02421]; and I will make [03772] an everlasting [05769] covenant [01285] with you, even the sure [0539] mercies [02617] of David [01732].
⁴ Behold, I have given [05414] him for a witness [05707] to the people [03816], a leader [05057] and commander [06680] to the people [03816].
⁵ Behold, thou shalt call [07121] a nation [01471] that thou knowest [03045] not, and nations [01471] that knew [03045] not thee shall run [07323] unto thee because of the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], and for the Holy One [06918] of Israel [03478]; for he hath glorified [06286] thee.
⁶ Seek [01875] ye the LORD [03068] while he may be found [04672], call [07121] ye upon him while he is near [07138]:
⁷ Let the wicked [07563] forsake [05800] his way [01870], and the unrighteous [0205] man [0376] his thoughts [04284]: and let him return [07725] unto the LORD [03068], and he will have mercy [07355] upon him; and to our God [0430], for he will abundantly [07235] pardon [05545].
⁸ For my thoughts [04284] are not your thoughts [04284], neither are your ways [01870] my ways [01870], saith [05002] the LORD [03068].
⁹ For as the heavens [08064] are higher [01361] than the earth [0776], so are my ways [01870] higher [01361] than your ways [01870], and my thoughts [04284] than your thoughts [04284].
¹⁰ For as the rain [01653] cometh down [03381], and the snow [07950] from heaven [08064], and returneth [07725] not thither, but watereth [07301] the earth [0776], and maketh it bring forth [03205] and bud [06779], that it may give [05414] seed [02233] to the sower [02232], and bread [03899] to the eater [0398]:
¹¹ So shall my word [01697] be that goeth forth [03318] out of my mouth [06310]: it shall not return [07725] unto me void [07387], but it shall accomplish [06213] that which I please [02654], and it shall prosper [06743] in the thing whereto I sent [07971] it.
¹² For ye shall go out [03318] with joy [08057], and be led forth [02986] with peace [07965]: the mountains [02022] and the hills [01389] shall break forth [06476] before [06440] you into singing [07440], and all the trees [06086] of the field [07704] shall clap [04222] their hands [03709].
¹³ Instead of the thorn [05285] shall come up [05927] the fir tree [01265], and instead of the brier [05636] shall come up [05927] the myrtle tree [01918]: and it shall be to the LORD [03068] for a name [08034], for an everlasting [05769] sign [0226] that shall not be cut off [03772].

¹⁹ Behold, this is the joy [04885] of his way [01870], and out of the earth [06083] shall others [0312] grow [06779].

²⁶ To cause it to rain [04305] on the earth [0776], where no man [0376] is; on the wilderness [04057], wherein there is no man [0120];

²⁴ He taketh away [05493] the heart [03820] of the chief [07218] of the people [05971] of the earth [0776], and causeth them to wander [08582] in a wilderness [08414] where there is no way [01870].