For Job has declared
Job, a central figure in the book named after him, is known for his righteousness and suffering. This phrase introduces Job's own words, highlighting his self-assessment amidst his trials. Job's declarations throughout the book are part of a larger dialogue with his friends and God, reflecting his struggle to understand his suffering. The narrative is set in the land of Uz, a region whose exact location is uncertain but is thought to be in the area of Edom or northern Arabia, emphasizing Job's status as a non-Israelite who still worships the true God.

‘I am righteous
Job's claim to righteousness is consistent with the opening chapters of the book, where God Himself describes Job as "blameless and upright." This assertion is not one of sinless perfection but rather a reflection of his integrity and faithfulness to God. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, righteousness was often associated with adherence to social and religious norms. Job's insistence on his righteousness is a key theme, as it challenges the retributive justice theology held by his friends, who believe suffering is always a result of personal sin.

yet God has deprived me of justice.
Job's lament that God has deprived him of justice reflects his deep sense of confusion and betrayal. In the ancient world, justice was seen as a divine attribute, and the expectation was that the righteous would be rewarded while the wicked would be punished. Job's experience contradicts this expectation, leading to his profound theological crisis. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate resolution of the book, where God addresses Job's concerns directly. The theme of divine justice is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 73, where the psalmist grapples with the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. Job's cry for justice can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, though sinless, suffered unjustly, ultimately fulfilling God's redemptive purposes.

1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and his quest for understanding God's justice.

2. Elihu
A younger friend of Job who speaks in chapters 32-37. He is critical of Job's assertions and offers a different perspective on God's justice and righteousness.

3. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing and ultimately restores him. His justice and righteousness are central themes in the discourse.

4. The Land of Uz
The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.

5. The Heavenly Court
The unseen realm where God permits Satan to test Job, setting the stage for the events of the book.Understanding Righteousness
Job's claim of righteousness challenges us to consider what true righteousness is. It is not merely about being blameless in human terms but aligning with God's standards.

Perception of Justice
Job feels deprived of justice, prompting us to reflect on our understanding of divine justice versus human justice. God's ways are higher than ours.

Responding to Suffering
Job's response to his suffering can teach us about maintaining faith and integrity even when we do not understand our circumstances.

The Role of Friends in Suffering
Elihu's intervention shows the importance of wise counsel and the need for friends who can point us back to God's truth during trials.

God's Sovereignty
The account reminds us of God's ultimate control and purpose, encouraging trust in His sovereign plan even when it is not immediately apparent.(5) For Job hath said.--See Job 13:18-19; Job 27:2, especially.

Verse 5. - For Job hath said, I am righteous. Job had maintained his "righteousness" in a certain sense, i.e. his integrity, his honesty, his conviction that God would ultimately acquit him; but he had not maintained his sinlessness (see the comment on Job 33:9). He had not even said, in so many words, "I am righteous." The nearest that he had come to saying it was when (in Job 13:18) he had exclaimed, "I know that I shall be held righteous," or "justified." And God hath taken away my judgment. Job had said this (Job 27:2), but in the sense that God had withheld from him the judgment on his cause which he desired, not that he had perverted judgment, and wrongfully condemned him (see the 'Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 4. p. 97).

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Job
אִיּ֣וֹב (’î·yō·wḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 347: Job -- a patriarch

has declared,
אָ֭מַר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘I am righteous,
צָדַ֑קְתִּי (ṣā·ḏaq·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous

yet God
וְ֝אֵ֗ל (wə·’êl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

has deprived me of
הֵסִ֥יר (hê·sîr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

justice.
מִשְׁפָּטִֽי׃ (miš·pā·ṭî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style


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OT Poetry: Job 34:5 For Job has said 'I am righteous (Jb)