Job 34:12

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Elihu addresses Job and his companions, continuing his defense of divine justice immediately after stating that God repays each person according to their deeds, before shifting to God’s sovereignty over the earth.

The words — אָמְנָ֗ם ('a.me.Nam) means truly, and יְעַוֵּ֥ת (ye.'a.Vet) means he perverts, anchoring the verse’s claim that God’s character and administration are fundamentally upright.

The thread — This assertion of uncorrupted divine justice appears in Job 8:3, Psalm 11:7, and Psalm 145:17.

Why it lands — The text demands that readers cease accusing God of injustice and instead accept that His actions are inherently righteous and impartial.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

אַף־'af-also אָמְנָ֗ם'a.me.Namtruly אֵ֥ל'elGod לֹֽא־lo'-not יַרְשִׁ֑יעַyar.Shi.a'he acts wickedly וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗יve./sha.Daiand/ [the] Almighty לֹֽא־lo'-not יְעַוֵּ֥תye.'a.Vethe perverts מִשְׁפָּֽט׃mish.Patjustice

King James Version

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Cross-references

Job 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
Psalms 11:7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.
Psalms 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
Habakkuk 1:12 Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, You have established them for correction.