Job 34:17
New International Version
Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?

New Living Translation
Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?

English Standard Version
Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

Berean Standard Bible
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

King James Bible
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

New King James Version
Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just?

New American Standard Bible
“Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,

NASB 1995
“Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,

NASB 1977
“Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn a righteous mighty one,

Legacy Standard Bible
Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,

Amplified Bible
“Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty?

Christian Standard Bible
Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,

American Standard Version
Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty??

Contemporary English Version
The mighty God is the one who brings about justice, and you are condemning him.

English Revised Version
Shall even one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just and mighty?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Should anyone who hates justice be allowed to govern? Will you condemn the one who is righteous and mighty?

Good News Translation
Are you condemning the righteous God? Do you think that he hates justice?

International Standard Version
Can one who hates justice really govern? And if God is righteous and mighty, can you condemn him?

Majority Standard Bible
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

NET Bible
Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One,

New Heart English Bible
Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--

Webster's Bible Translation
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

World English Bible
Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Indeed, does one hating justice govern? Or do you condemn the Most Just?

Young's Literal Translation
Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?

Smith's Literal Translation
Also shall he hating judgment, rule? and if thou wilt condemn the just mighty one?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Is he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is just?

New American Bible
Can an enemy of justice be in control, will you condemn the supreme Just One,

New Revised Standard Version
Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who hates justice cannot be declared innocent, and he who is innocent will not be condemned justly;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Whoever hates judgment is unjust, and if one is innocent, he is not justly condemned
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Confirms God's Justice
16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. 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,’…

Cross References
Psalm 11:7
For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

Psalm 33:5
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 45:7
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.

Psalm 99:4
The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Psalm 119:137
Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.

Isaiah 61:8
For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?

Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

Romans 2:6-11
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. ...

Romans 3:5-6
But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. / Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

Romans 9:14
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!

Romans 11:22
Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

2 Thessalonians 1:6
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,


Treasury of Scripture

Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?

even

Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

2 Samuel 23:3
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Romans 3:5-7
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) …

govern.

Job 1:22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 40:8
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

2 Samuel 19:21
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?

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Condemn Evil Govern Hater Hates Hateth Hating Indeed Justice Mighty Right Righteous Rule Ruler Upright Wilt
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Condemn Evil Govern Hater Hates Hateth Hating Indeed Justice Mighty Right Righteous Rule Ruler Upright Wilt
Job 34
1. Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice
10. God omnipotent cannot be unjust
31. Man must humble himself unto God
34. Elihu reproves Job














Could one who hates justice govern?
This phrase challenges the very nature of leadership and governance. The Hebrew root for "justice" is "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), which encompasses not only legal decisions but also righteousness and fairness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, justice was a foundational principle for kingship and governance. A ruler who despises justice is inherently unfit to lead, as justice is the bedrock of societal stability and divine order. This rhetorical question implies that true governance is impossible without a commitment to justice, reflecting God's own nature as the ultimate just ruler.

Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Here, the focus shifts to the character of God, described as both "just" and "mighty." The Hebrew word for "just" is "צַדִּיק" (tsaddiq), which signifies righteousness and moral integrity. The term "mighty" is derived from "גִּבּוֹר" (gibbor), often used to describe warriors or heroes, emphasizing strength and power. This phrase underscores the absurdity of condemning God, who embodies perfect justice and omnipotence. Historically, this reflects the ancient understanding of God as the ultimate judge and sovereign, whose actions are beyond human reproach. The rhetorical question serves to remind the audience of God's unassailable righteousness and power, encouraging trust in His divine governance.

(17) Shall even he. . . .--The argument is that one who holds such a position of absolute rule cannot be other than most just. He who is fit to rule must be just, and He who is the ultimate ruler must be fit to rule, and must, therefore, be just; but if He is absolutely just, how shall we condemn His government or Him on account of it, even though we cannot explain it all or reconcile it with our view of what is right?

Him that is most just, is rather him that is just and mighty, i.e., not only just, but able also to execute justice because mighty.

Verse 17. - Shall even he that hateth right govern? Is it conceivable that there can be at the head of the universe, its Ruler and Guide, One who hates justice? The appeal is to the instinctive feeling that in the one God perfect goodness and omnipotence are united. Its spirit is exactly that of Abraham's question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (see Genesis 18:5). And wilt thou condemn him that is most just? rather, him that is both just and strong (see the Revised Version).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Could
הַאַ֬ף (ha·’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

one who hates
שׂוֹנֵ֣א (śō·w·nê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8130: To hate

justice
מִשְׁפָּ֣ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

govern?
יַחֲב֑וֹשׁ (ya·ḥă·ḇō·wōš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

Will you condemn
תַּרְשִֽׁיעַ׃ (tar·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7561: To be, wrong, to disturb, violate

the just
צַדִּ֖יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

and mighty One,
כַּבִּ֣יר (kab·bîr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3524: Great, mighty, much


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OT Poetry: Job 34:17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? (Jb)
Job 34:16
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