King James Version

What Does Job 35:7 Mean?

Job 35:7 in the King James Version says “If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?” — study this verse from Job chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?”

Job 35:7 · KJV

Context

5

Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

6

If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

7

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?

8

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

9

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

Read Job 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? (אִם־צָדַקְתָּ מַה־תִּתֶּן־לוֹ, im-tsadaqta mah-titten-lo)—The verb tsadaq (צָדַק) means 'to be righteous' or 'to be in the right.' Elihu's rhetorical question challenges Job's implicit claim that his righteousness obligates God to respond favorably. Or what receiveth he of thine hand? (אוֹ מַה־מִיָּדְךָ יִקָּח, o mah-miyadkha yiqqach)—laqach (לָקַח), 'to receive' or 'take,' emphasizes that God gains nothing from human righteousness.

Elihu articulates divine aseity—God's self-sufficiency and independence from creation. This theological truth appears throughout Scripture: 'If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof' (Psalm 50:12); 'Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?' (Romans 11:35). Human righteousness doesn't create divine debt or obligate blessing.

Yet this truth requires nuance: while God needs nothing from us, He chooses covenant relationship where obedience pleases Him and sin grieves Him. The incarnation reveals God's voluntary vulnerability to human action—we can wound Christ, serve Him, feed Him (Matthew 25:40). Elihu grasps God's transcendent self-sufficiency but underestimates covenantal mutuality. Job later learns (42:5-6) that seeing God matters infinitely more than receiving answers—relationship transcends transaction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern polytheism often depicted gods as needing human service—sacrifices fed deities, temples housed them, rituals maintained cosmic order. Biblical monotheism radically rejected this transactional framework, asserting God's absolute self-sufficiency. Elihu's argument defends this distinctive theology against any suggestion that human righteousness creates divine obligation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that God needs nothing from you affect your motivation for obedience?
  2. In what ways do we subtly treat righteousness as creating divine debt or earning blessing?
  3. How can we balance God's transcendent self-sufficiency with the biblical teaching that our actions genuinely please or grieve Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
אִם1 of 9
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

צָ֭דַקְתָּ2 of 9

“If thou be righteous”

H6663

to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)

מַה3 of 9
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִּתֶּן4 of 9

“what givest”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֑וֹ5 of 9
H0
א֥וֹ6 of 9
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

מַה7 of 9
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

מִיָּדְךָ֥8 of 9

“he of thine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יִקָּֽח׃9 of 9

“thou him or what receiveth”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 35:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 35:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 16:2Job 22:2-3Luke 17:10Proverbs 9:12Romans 11:351 Chronicles 29:14

Test Your Knowledge

Job 35 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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