Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 34:19

[How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands.

19. Partiality or injustice is not to be thought of in God, for all men, rich and poor, are alike the work of His hands. In these words the disputant makes the transition from his principle to the illustration of it in God’s actual rule of men, and this illustration he pursues at length.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

How much less to him that accepteth not the person of princes – To accept the person of anyone is to treat him with special favor on account of his rank, his wealth, or from favoritism and partiality. This God often disclaims in respect to himself; (compare Gal 2:6; Act 10:34; 2Ch 19:7; Rom 2:11; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25), and solemnly forbids it in others; see Jam 2:1, Jam 2:3,Jam 2:9; Lev 19:15; Deu 1:17; Deu 16:19. The meaning here is, that God is entirely impartial in his administration, and treats all as they ought to be treated. He shows favor to no one on account of wealth, rank, talent, office, or joyous apparel, and he excludes no one from favor on account of poverty, ignorance, or a humble rank in life. This it seems was an admitted sentiment in the time of Elihu, and on the ground of the fact that it was indisputable, he strongly argues the impropriety of calling in question the equity of his administration in language such as that which Job had used.

For they all are the work of his hands – He regards them all as his creatures. No one has any special claim on him on account of rank, talent, or wealth. Every creature that he has made, high and low, rich and poor, bond and free, may expect that impartial justice will be done him, and that his external circumstances will not control or modify the divine determinations in regard to him, or the divine dealings toward him.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 19. That accepteth not] If it be utterly improper to speak against a king or civil governor, how much more so to speak disrespectfully of God, who is not influenced by human caprices or considerations, and who regards the rich and the poor alike, being equally his creatures, and equally dependent on his providence and mercy for their support and salvation.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

To him that accepteth not the persons of princes, i.e. to God, who respecteth not the greatest princes, so as to do any unjust thing to gain their favour, or to avoid their anger, to whom princes and peasants are equally subject, and infinitely inferior; who therefore is free from all temptation to injustice, which commonly proceeds from respect of persons, Lev 19:15, and to whom therefore thou didst owe more reverence than thy words have expressed.

They all are the work of his hands; and therefore of equal worth and price with him, and equally subject to his power and pleasure.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

19. (Act 10:34;2Ch 19:7; Pro 22:2;Job 31:15).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

[How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes,…. And indeed God is not the respecter of the persons of any, no, not of the greatest men on earth, kings and princes,

Ac 10:34; these are alike dealt with by him as others in the dispensations of his providence; nor do they escape the marks of his displeasure, wrath and vengeance, when they sin against him:

nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? by showing favour to them, or conniving at them,

for they [are] all the work of his hands; both the rich and the poor; not only as creatures made by him, but as rich men and poor men; it is God that makes men rich or poor, 1Sa 2:7; instances follow proving this, that God is no respecter of persons on account of outward circumstances.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

19. Omit italics, how much less to, and read:

Him that . God treats all, the rich and the poor, even princes, according to their deserts. In Job 34:19-20 Elihu establishes the impartiality of God. The Wisdom of Solomon (vi, 7) furnishes a good comment on this verse.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Job 34:19 [How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands.

Ver. 19. How much less to him that accepteth not the person of princes ] How much more both dangerous and indecent must it needs be wrongfully to accuse God of injustice and partiality, which is far below him; since he neither doth nor needeth prefer great ones before meaner men in judgment! See on Job 13:7 ; Job 32:21 .

Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? ] The word rendered rich, opulent, or potent, comes either from a root, that signifieth to save, because it is in the power of such to save others from hurt and damage; or else from another root, that signifieth to cry aloud; because such men use to speak their minds more freely and boldly, as having that which can bear them out. But God acknowledgeth them not as such; only of them to whom much is given much shall be required.

For they are all the work of his hands ] Both for their persons, for they are all equally his creatures; and for their conditions, which God also hath cut them out and apportioned. Thus he is said to have made Moses and Aaron, that is, to have advanced them, 1Sa 12:6 ; and Christ is said to have made the twelve when he ordained them to the apostleship, Mar 3:14 .

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

accepteth not, &c. Compare Deu 10:17. 2Ch 19:7. Luk 20:21. Act 10:34.

regardeth. A Homonym (Hebrew. nakar), with three meanings: (1) here, to regard; (2) to mistake, Deu 32:27; (3) to deliver, 1Sa 23:7.

poor: i.e. reduced in circumstances. Hebrew. dal. See note on Pro 6:11.

the work, &c. Compare Job 10:3; Job 14:15; Job 31:15, &c.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

accepteth: Job 13:8, Deu 10:17, 2Ch 19:7, Act 10:34, Rom 2:11, Gal 2:6, Eph 6:9, Col 3:25, 1Pe 1:17, Heb 12:28

princes: Job 12:19, Job 12:21, Psa 2:2-4, Ecc 5:8, Isa 3:14

regardeth: Job 36:19, Psa 49:6, Psa 49:7, Jam 2:5

they: Job 31:15, Pro 14:31, Pro 22:2

Reciprocal: Gen 12:17 – General Gen 20:7 – surely Gen 50:19 – for am I Exo 30:15 – rich Lev 14:21 – poor Jdg 8:12 – took 1Sa 25:35 – accepted 2Sa 14:14 – neither 2Ki 15:5 – the Lord 2Ch 15:13 – whether small 2Ch 16:9 – Herein Neh 7:71 – chief Job 1:22 – charged God foolishly Job 10:3 – Is it good Job 31:34 – the contempt Job 32:21 – accept Psa 49:2 – General Psa 72:2 – thy poor Psa 82:2 – accept Pro 17:26 – to strike Pro 18:5 – not Ecc 8:4 – What Isa 40:23 – General Dan 4:35 – all Hos 14:9 – for Luk 20:21 – acceptest Rom 9:14 – Is there unrighteousness 1Co 1:28 – to bring Jam 2:4 – partial Rev 6:15 – the kings Rev 13:16 – rich

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge