Job 34:18
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 Version
Who 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 Bible
Who 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 Bible
He 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 1917
Is 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? …

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Base Belial Evil-Doer Fit Kings Nobles Ones Princes Rulers Sinners Ungodly Vile Wicked Worthless
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Base Belial Evil-Doer Fit Kings Nobles Ones Princes Rulers Sinners Ungodly Vile Wicked Worthless
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














who says to kings
In this phrase, Elihu, the speaker, is emphasizing God's sovereignty and authority over earthly rulers. The Hebrew word for "kings" is "מֶלֶךְ" (melek), which denotes a ruler or sovereign. Historically, kings were seen as the ultimate authority in their realms, often considered as divinely appointed. However, Elihu is pointing out that God, the ultimate King, has the power to judge and speak to earthly kings, reminding us that no human authority is beyond God's reach. This serves as a humbling reminder that all power and authority are subject to God's will.

‘You are worthless!’
The term "worthless" in this context is a strong rebuke. The Hebrew root word "בְּלִיָּעַל" (belial) often conveys a sense of worthlessness or wickedness. Elihu is illustrating that God can declare even the most powerful human leaders as insignificant or morally corrupt. This reflects the biblical theme that human pride and self-importance are nothing before God. It serves as a caution against placing ultimate trust in human leaders, reminding believers that true worth and righteousness come from God alone.

and to nobles
"Nobles" refers to those of high social status or aristocracy, often seen as wise and influential. The Hebrew word "נָדִיב" (nadiv) suggests generosity or nobility, but Elihu is highlighting that even those with esteemed positions are not immune to God's judgment. Historically, nobles were advisors and power brokers, yet Elihu underscores that their status does not exempt them from accountability to God. This reinforces the biblical principle that God shows no partiality and judges all people by His standards.

‘You are wicked!’
The accusation of being "wicked" is a serious charge. The Hebrew word "רָשָׁע" (rasha) means wicked or guilty. Elihu is asserting that God can declare the moral failings of even the most esteemed individuals. This reflects the biblical understanding that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). It serves as a reminder that human judgment is flawed, and only God can truly discern the heart and intentions of individuals. This calls believers to seek righteousness and humility before God, recognizing His ultimate authority and justice.

(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 says
הַאֲמֹ֣ר (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


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OT Poetry: Job 34:18 Who says to a king 'Vile! (Jb)
Job 34:17
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