King James Version
What Does Job 35:8 Mean?
“Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.”
Job 35:8 · KJV
Context
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.
10
But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art (לְאִישׁ־כָּמוֹךָ רִשְׁעֶךָ, le-ish-kamocha rish'ekha)—Rasha (רֶשַׁע) denotes 'wickedness' or 'guilt.' Elihu argues that human sin affects fellow humans, not God. And thy righteousness may profit the son of man (וּלְבֶן־אָדָם צִדְקָתֶךָ, ul-ven-adam tsidqatekha)—Tsedaqah (צְדָקָה), 'righteousness,' benefits ben-adam (בֶּן־אָדָם), 'son of man,' humanity collectively.
This verse complements verse 7's divine transcendence with moral action's horizontal dimension. Sin and righteousness primarily impact the human community, not God's essential being. This contains profound truth: ethical behavior creates societal consequences—injustice harms communities, righteousness builds them (Proverbs 14:34).
Yet Elihu's limitation appears again: while God's being isn't affected by human action, His covenantal heart responds to both wickedness and righteousness. 'The LORD's soul was grieved for the misery of Israel' (Judges 10:16); 'Grieve not the holy Spirit of God' (Ephesians 4:30). God's impassibility (unchanging essence) coexists with His covenant responsiveness. Elihu rightly emphasizes creation-order morality's social impact but underplays covenant relationship's divine-human mutuality. Jesus later demonstrates this balance—suffering evil's effects (horizontal) while bearing sin's divine judgment (vertical, Isaiah 53:10).
This verse complements verse 7's divine transcendence with moral action's horizontal dimension. Sin and righteousness primarily impact the human community, not God's essential being. This contains profound truth: ethical behavior creates societal consequences—injustice harms communities, righteousness builds them (Proverbs 14:34).
Yet Elihu's limitation appears again: while God's being isn't affected by human action, His covenantal heart responds to both wickedness and righteousness. 'The LORD's soul was grieved for the misery of Israel' (Judges 10:16); 'Grieve not the holy Spirit of God' (Ephesians 4:30). God's impassibility (unchanging essence) coexists with His covenant responsiveness. Elihu rightly emphasizes creation-order morality's social impact but underplays covenant relationship's divine-human mutuality. Jesus later demonstrates this balance—suffering evil's effects (horizontal) while bearing sin's divine judgment (vertical, Isaiah 53:10).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature emphasized communal consequences of individual behavior. Hammurabi's Code, Egyptian Ma'at concept, and Mesopotamian wisdom texts all stressed social order requiring ethical behavior. Elihu stands within this tradition while adding theological depth—righteous living serves human community, not divine need.
Reflection Questions
- How does recognizing that your behavior primarily affects fellow humans (not God's essential being) shape your ethical motivations?
- What is the relationship between horizontal ethics (affecting humans) and vertical covenant relationship (affecting God's response)?
- How can we avoid both the error of thinking God needs our righteousness and the error of thinking He's indifferent to it?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 6 wordsלְאִישׁ1 of 6
“may hurt a man”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וּלְבֶן4 of 6
“may profit the son”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
צִדְקָתֶֽךָ׃6 of 6
“as thou art and thy righteousness”
H6666rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
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 35:8 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 35:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge