Job 34:29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,

◄ Job 34:29 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,

English Standard Version
When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?—

New American Standard Bible
When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him, That is, in regard to both nation and man?--

King James Bible
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both individuals and nations,

International Standard Version
"If he remains silent, who will condemn him? If he conceals his face, who can see him? He watches over both nation and individual alike,

American Standard Version
When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man:

Douay-Rheims Bible
For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?

Darby Bible Translation
When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth his face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;

Young's Literal Translation
And He giveth rest, and who maketh wrong? And hideth the face, and who beholdeth it? And in reference to a nation and to a man, It is the same.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

34:16-30 Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

29. (Pr 16:7; Isa 26:3).

make trouble—rather, "condemn" (Ro 8:33, 34). Maurer, from the reference being only to the godless, in the next clause, and Job 34:20 translates, "When God keeps quiet" (leaves men to perish) Ps 83:1; [Umbreit] from the Arabic (strikes to the earth), "who shall condemn Him as unjust?" Job 34:17.

hideth … face—(Job 23:8, 9; Ps 13:1).

it be done—Whether it be against a guilty nation (2Ki 18:9-12) or an individual, that God acts so.