Job 34:7
Job 34:7 in Multiple Translations
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,
What man is like Job, a man who freely makes sport of God,
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
What man is like Iob, that drinketh scornfulnesse like water?
Who [is] a man like Job? He drinketh scoffing like water,
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
◄Is there any person like Job, who insults others as easily as people accept a drink of water?/There is no person like Job, who insults others as easily as people accept a drink of water.► [RHQ]
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 34:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 34:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִי
גֶ֥בֶר
כְּ/אִיּ֑וֹב
יִֽשְׁתֶּה
לַּ֥עַג
כַּ/מָּֽיִם
מִי
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
גֶ֥בֶר
geber
H1397
great man
N-ms
כְּ/אִיּ֑וֹב
ʼÎyôwb
H347
Job
Prep | N-proper
יִֽשְׁתֶּה
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לַּ֥עַג
laʻag
H3933
derision
N-ms
כַּ/מָּֽיִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 34:7
מִי
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
גֶ֥בֶר
geber
H1397
"great man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for a great man or warrior, emphasizing strength or ability to fight, used to describe a person of valor. It is translated as 'man' or 'mighty' in the KJV. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of strong leaders.
Definition: man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: every one, man, [idiom] mighty. See also: Exodus 10:11; Psalms 88:5; Psalms 34:9.
כְּ/אִיּ֑וֹב
ʼÎyôwb
H347
"Job"
Prep | N-proper
Job was a patriarch famous for his patience and is the subject of the book of Job, which explores his struggles and faith in God.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Job.1.1 Also named: Iōb (Ἰώβ "Job" G2492) § Job = "hated" a patriarch, the subject of the book of Job
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: Job. See also: Job 1:1; Job 32:3; Ezekiel 14:20.
יִֽשְׁתֶּה
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
לַּ֥עַג
laʻag
H3933
"derision"
N-ms
Derision or scoffing is what this word is all about, describing a strong feeling of contempt or mocking.
Definition: 1) mocking, derision, stammering 1a) mocking, derision 1b) stammerings
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: derision, scorn (-ing). See also: Job 34:7; Psalms 123:4; Psalms 44:14.
כַּ/מָּֽיִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
Study Notes — Job 34:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 34:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 34:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 34:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 34:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 34:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 34:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 34:7
- Cambridge Bible on Job 34:7
- Barnes' Notes on Job 34:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 34:7
- Sermons on Job 34:7
Context — Elihu Confirms God’s Justice
5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. 9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 15:16 | how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water? |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 29:19 | because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:22 | “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? |
| 4 | Proverbs 4:17 | For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. |
Job 34:7 Summary
This verse is saying that Job is someone who can endure a lot of mockery and scorn without getting defensive or angry, kind of like drinking water to quench your thirst. It's not saying that Job is perfect, but rather that he is able to trust in God and endure hardship, as seen in Job 13:15. We can learn from Job's example by trusting in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when we don't understand our circumstances, and by following Jesus' example of enduring insults and suffering, as noted in 1 Peter 2:20-21. By doing so, we can find peace and comfort in God's presence, as seen in Psalm 23:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'drink up derision like water' in Job 34:7?
This phrase means that Job is willingly and continually enduring mockery and scorn, much like one would drink water to quench their thirst, as seen in the way Jesus also endured insults and suffering, as noted in Hebrews 12:3 and 1 Peter 2:23.
Is Job 34:7 saying that Job is sinless or perfect?
No, the verse is highlighting Job's unique ability to endure hardship and mockery, but Job himself acknowledges his imperfections and need for a Redeemer, as seen in Job 9:2-3 and Job 19:25.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Job?
This verse is part of Elihu's speech, where he is trying to correct Job's misconceptions about God and suffering, as seen in Job 32-37, and ultimately pointing to the wisdom and justice of God, as seen in Job 38-42.
What can we learn from Job's example in this verse?
We can learn the importance of humility and trust in God, even in the face of suffering and mockery, as seen in Job 13:15 and Psalm 37:7, and strive to follow Jesus' example of enduring insults and suffering, as noted in 1 Peter 2:20-21.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with mockery or scorn, and what can I learn from Job's example in this verse?
- In what ways can I 'drink up derision like water' and trust in God's sovereignty, even when I don't understand my circumstances?
- How can I balance the need to stand up for myself with the need to humble myself and trust in God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7?
- What are some practical ways I can apply the lesson of trusting in God's wisdom and justice, even in difficult situations, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on Job 34:7
What man [is] like Job,.... This is said as wondering at the part he acted, that a man so wise and good as Job was esteemed to be should behave in such a manner as he did; [who] drinketh up scorning like water?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 34:7
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? (Job 15:16.) Image from the camel. Scorning - against God (Job 15:4).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 34:7
i.e. Abundantly and greedily; who doth so oft and so easily break forth into scornful and contemptuous expressions, not only against his friends, but in some sort even against God himself, whom he foolishly and insolently chargeth with dealing rigorously with him. The words may be thus read, What man, being like Job, would drink up?..? That a wicked or foolish man should do thus is not strange; but that a man of such piety, gravity, wisdom, and authority as Job should be guilty of such a sin, this is wonderful.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 34:7
Job 34:7 What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water?Ver. 7. What man is like Job?] This Elihu speaketh by way of angry admiration, as if he would make Job a very nonsuch, a matchless offender; and that he much wondered with what face he could speak in that sort, Exclamatio admirativa (Pisc.). What, such a man as Job do thus? Oh, shameful! what? upbraid and reproach Almighty God? who would ever have expected such words from such a mouth? Is the man in his right mind, wot you, that he thus maketh himself a common laughing stock and by word, and yet maketh nothing of anything, but doth with as great facility and readiness swallow up men’ s scoffs and taunts, as if he were drinking cold water, and no more is he troubled at them? Why, but is this Job? and is it possible that he should have so far lost all fear of God, and shame of the world, that he should set his mouth against heaven, as if he would spit in God’ s face, and not care though he drink up scorning and affronts like water, quasi maledictis aleretur, ut venenis capreae, as if he were much taken and tickled with them? True it is, that Nemo pluris aestimavit virtutem, as Seneca saith, No man setteth a better price upon virtue than he who will rather part with his good name than part with his honesty. But it is also as true, that to neglect altogether what others think and say of us, non solum arrogantis est, sed et dissoluti, is the part not of a proud only, but of a forlorn person, saith the orator.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 34:7
(7) Who drinketh up scorning?—The same word had been applied to Job by Zophar (Job 11:3), “And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?” and the same reproach by Eliphaz (Job 15:16).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 34:7
Verse 7. Drinketh up scorning like water?] This is a repetition of the charge made against Job by Eliphaz, Job 15:16. It is a proverbial expression, and seems to be formed, as a metaphor, from a camel drinking, who takes in a large draught of water, even the most turbid, on its setting out on a journey in a caravan, that it may serve it for a long time. Job deals largely in scorning; he fills his heart with it.
Cambridge Bible on Job 34:7
7. Elihu cannot restrain his abhorrence of Job’s sentiments. By scorning is meant impiety and scepticism. On the figure comp. ch. Job 15:16.
Barnes' Notes on Job 34:7
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? - A similar image occurs in Job 15:16. The idea is, that he was full of reproachful speeches respecting God; of the language of irreverence and rebellion.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 34:7
7. Drinketh up scorning like water — He uses against Job one of the figures of Eliphaz, (see note on Job 15:16,) in which “iniquity” is the subject instead of “scorning,” as here.
Sermons on Job 34:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Mischief of Sin by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the mischief of sin, highlighting God's mercy in saving Christians from persisting in sin and the consequences of unrepentant sinners storing up wrath |
|
To Fill Heaven With Hells by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the grave condition of wicked men who willingly indulge in sin, illustrating how their hearts are hardened and their consciences seared. He warns that such |
|
The Sin of Self Advancement - Puffed by Pride by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the destructive nature of pride in his sermon 'The Sin of Self Advancement - Puffed by Pride,' emphasizing that pride is often the root cause of personal an |
|
Divine Mercy to Mourning Penitents by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the divine mercy extended to mourning penitents, using the example of Ephraim's repentance and God's compassionate response. The sermon highlights the |
|
Dedication According to Renewed Knowledge by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the past year as a time of both blessings and challenges in their walk with God. They express a belief that God is doing something significa |
|
Led by the Spirit of God - Part 5 by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of turning to discipline and reproof. He highlights the need for believers to allow the Spirit of God to control their lives |
|
(Proverbs) ch.8:17 - 10:12 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence in both the business world and in spiritual life. He references the biblical story of Adam being to |