ScriptureDepth's study of Job 35
“If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?”
Job 35:6
Elihu speaks to Job, questioning the impact of sin on God, which challenges Job's understanding of righteousness and suffering in light of his complaints.
What Job 35 is about
In Job chapter 35, Elihu continues his discourse, addressing Job's earlier questions about the value of righteousness and the tendency for wrongdoing to seemingly go unnoticed by God. Elihu challenges Job's perspective by asking why Job believes that his righteousness entitles him to special treatment from God or that his sin affects God in any way. Elihu emphasizes that human actions primarily affect other humans and not God Himself.
He highlights the idea that God does not react to human behavior in the way humans might expect, because His ways are higher and His justice is perfect. Elihu also encourages Job to consider that God may have purposes beyond human understanding and that cries for help out of pure pride or self-interest do not capture God's attention like genuine cries of humility and faith.
Job 35 at a glance
- Job 35:1–2Elihu's Initial Challenge
- Job 35:3–8Questioning Righteousness' Value
- Job 35:9–11Crying for Help
- Job 35:12–14God's Response to Pride
- Job 35:15–16Job's Empty Words
Key verse: Job 35:6
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Job 35 (WEB)
Elihu's Initial Challenge Job 35:1–2
1Verse 1. Moreover Elihu answered, 2Verse 2. “Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
Questioning Righteousness' Value Job 35:3–8
3Verse 3. That you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you?What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’4Verse 4. I will answer you,and your companions with you.5Verse 5. Look to the heavens, and see.See the skies, which are higher than you.6Verse 6. If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him?If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?7Verse 7. If you are righteous, what do you give him?Or what does he receive from your hand?8Verse 8. Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are,and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
Crying for Help Job 35:9–11
9Verse 9. “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out.They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.10Verse 10. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,who gives songs in the night,11Verse 11. who teaches us more than the animals of the earth,and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
God's Response to Pride Job 35:12–14
12Verse 12. There they cry, but no one gives answer,because of the pride of evil men.13Verse 13. Surely God will not hear an empty cry,neither will the Almighty regard it.14Verse 14. How much less when you say you don’t see him.The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
Job's Empty Words Job 35:15–16
15Verse 15. But now, because he has not visited in his anger,neither does he greatly regard arrogance.16Verse 16. Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk,and he multiplies words without knowledge.”
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Job 35
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Job 35
Divine justice
Elihu challenges Job by questioning the value of his righteousness in relation to God, stating in verses 2-3 that Job seems to think he has rights or advantages over God. Elihu argues that neither sin nor righteousness affects God directly, as seen in verses 6-7, where he queries, 'If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him?' This presents a view of divine justice that is independent of human actions.
Human limitations
In verses 10-11, Elihu calls for recognition of God as the Creator, saying, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?' He emphasizes human limitations by contrasting human wisdom with God's superiority, implying that humans often overlook God’s role in their lives. Elihu’s remarks in verses 12-13 further suggest that pride leads to a lack of understanding, demonstrating how limitations hinder proper communication with God.
God's transcendence
Elihu directs Job to 'look to the heavens' in verses 5-6, indicating God's position above human concerns. In verses 14-15, Elihu states that God does not regard arrogance or empty cries, affirming that God's ways are beyond human understanding. This establishes that God's actions and judgments are not influenced by human circumstances or emotions.
The motivation behind prayers
In verses 9-10, Elihu notes that people cry out for help during oppression but fail to seek God, asking, 'Where is God my Maker?' This reveals a motivation for prayer that is often based on immediate needs rather than a genuine relationship with God. Elihu critiques the nature of these prayers in verses 13-14, asserting that God will not hear 'an empty cry,' suggesting that sincere engagement is necessary for prayer to be effective.
Chapter outline
How Job 35 unfolds
Job 35:1–2 Elihu's Initial Challenge
Elihu addresses Job, challenging his perspective on righteousness and justice, questioning if Job believes he is more righteous than God (v. 2). He sets up a dialogue about the consequences of Job's views.
Job 35:3–8 Questioning Righteousness' Value
Elihu questions Job, asking, ‘What advantage will it be to you?’ (v. 3) and argues that human righteousness does not impact God, asking ‘If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him?’ (v. 6).
Job 35:9–11 Crying for Help
Elihu notes that oppressed people cry out for help, yet they do not seek God, who is capable of providing relief and wisdom (vv. 9-11). This highlights a disconnect between human suffering and the acknowledgment of divine aid.
Job 35:12–14 God's Response to Pride
Elihu states that the cries of the proud go unanswered, saying, ‘There they cry, but no one gives answer’ (v. 12), and emphasizes that God listens to genuine pleas, asserting, ‘you say you don’t see him’ (v. 14).
Job 35:15–16 Job's Empty Words
Elihu claims that Job's words lack substance, stating, ‘Job opens his mouth with empty talk’ (v. 16), and asserts that Job speaks without understanding, calling it ‘words without knowledge’ (v. 16).
Key verses
Job 35:6Elihu speaks to Job, questioning the impact of sin on God, which challenges Job's understanding of righteousness and suffering in light of his complaints.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Job 35
- observeIn v2, what does Elihu imply Job believes about his own righteousness?
- observeWhat does Elihu ask in v10 about where God is during times of oppression?
- interpretElihu's statement in v13 about empty cries: what does this imply about the nature of God's attention?
- interpretIn v15, why might Elihu suggest that Job's view of God's silence is flawed?
- applyWhen have you felt that your cries for help went unheard, as in v12?
For Bible groups
Study Job 35 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Job 35
- Job 34Job 35:3 and Job 34:9Both address profit: Job 35:3 questions what advantage there is in righteousness, while Job 34:9 states delighting in God profits nothing.
- Job 9Job 35:14 and Job 9:11Both express not seeing God: Job 35:14 states that the cause is before God, while Job 9:11 says he passes by unseen.
- Job 32Job 35:11 and Job 32:8Both mention divine teaching: Job 35:11 states God teaches more than animals, while Job 32:8 affirms the spirit gives understanding.
- Job 36Job 35:11 and Job 36:22Both highlight God's exaltation: Job 35:11 notes God teaches wisely, while Job 36:22 declares God is exalted in power.
- Psalm 149Job 35:10 and Psalm 149:5Both involve rejoicing: Job 35:10 questions where God is who gives songs, while Psalm 149:5 calls the saints to rejoice on their beds.
- Job 22Job 35:7 and Job 22:2Both question profitability: Job 35:7 asks what the righteous give God, while Job 22:2 states that wisdom is profitable to oneself.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Job 35
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Job: the whole bookJob confronts the hardest question in the life of faith: why do the righteous suffer?
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 14Day 14 of 365: Job 32–35.
- SufferingWhat the Bible says about suffering, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Job 35: frequently asked questions
What is Job 35 about?+
What is the key verse in Job 35?+
What are the main themes of Job 35?+
Studying Job with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.