He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

JOB 34:24KJV
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Job 34:24 (KJV)

What does Job 34:24 mean?

Job 34:24 says that God can destroy powerful people without counting them and replace them with others as He chooses. The verse highlights God's absolute authority over even the mightiest individuals, showing that no one is too great to be removed or replaced by Him.

In the book of Job, Elihu is speaking to Job and his friends, explaining how God judges people impartially. Elihu is making the point that God is not impressed by human power or status; He can break apart the mighty and set others in their place whenever He wishes. This verse is part of Elihu’s larger argument that God’s justice is beyond human questioning or understanding.

The Hebrew behind Job 34:24

  • "pieces" (רָעַע, ra‘a‘): This word often means to break, shatter, or bring to ruin. Here, it emphasizes how God can completely destroy or humble even the most powerful people.
  • "men" (כָּבִיר, kabir): This word refers to mighty or powerful men, not just people in general. It underscores that those with strength or influence are not immune to God’s judgment.
  • "number" (חֵקֶר, cheqer): This word means searching or number, suggesting that God does not need to count or consider how many mighty people there are before acting; He is not limited by their number.
  • "set" (עָמַד, ‘amad): This means to cause to stand or appoint. It shows that God not only removes the powerful but also actively puts others in their place.
  • "others" (אַחֵר, acher): This means "other" or "another," highlighting that those who replace the mighty are simply others chosen by God, not necessarily special in themselves.

Why Job 34:24 matters

  • Job 34:24 corrects the idea that power or status can protect someone from God’s judgment, stressing that God’s authority is absolute over all people.
  • The verse fits into Elihu’s argument that God’s justice is impartial and not swayed by human rank or numbers, which is a key theme in this section of Job.
  • Understanding the specific Hebrew words helps clarify that the focus is on God’s ability to both remove and replace the powerful, not just to punish, but to maintain order as He sees fit.

Where else these words appear

“men” Hebrew H3524 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 8:2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
  • Job 34:17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
  • Isaiah 16:14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.

“number” Hebrew H2714 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
  • Job 9:10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
  • Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

“pieces” Hebrew H7489 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
  • 2 Kings 21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
  • Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;