Bible Strands
Job 34:24
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker places this declaration between statements about God’s lack of need for further examination and His immediate recognition of human deeds, describing sudden divine action against powerful rulers.
The words — The Hebrew יָרֹעַ (ya.Ro.a') means "he breaks" or "shatters," and חֵ֑קֶר (Che.ker) translates literally to "inquiry" or "examination."
The thread — This pattern of divine overthrow and replacement runs through Daniel 2:21, where God removes kings and establishes others, and Psalms 113:7, which describes God lifting the lowly from their fallen state.
Why it lands — The text asserts that human power exists only by divine allowance, requiring readers to accept that God’s sovereign decisions operate without human oversight or prior justification.
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
King James Version
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
Cross-references
- Psalms 113:7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump
- Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
- Psalms 2:9 You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
- Psalms 72:4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
- Psalms 94:5 They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
- 1 Kings 14:7 Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel.
- 1 Kings 14:14 Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam. This is the day—yes, even today!
- Job 12:19 He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.
- Job 19:2 “How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?