Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

JOB 8:3KJV
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Job 8:3 (KJV)

What does Job 8:3 mean?

Job 8:3 asks whether God would ever twist what is right or act unjustly, making the point that God does not pervert judgment or justice. The verse is a rhetorical question, expecting the answer “no,” and it highlights the belief that God’s character is perfectly fair and just.

In this verse, Bildad, one of Job’s friends, is speaking to Job during their conversation about Job’s suffering. Bildad is challenging Job’s complaints by insisting that God, called both “God” and “the Almighty,” never acts unfairly. Bildad’s words reflect the common ancient belief that God’s justice is absolute, and any suffering must have a just cause.

The Hebrew behind Job 8:3

  • אֵל (’el, transliterated “El”): This word is translated as “God” and emphasizes God’s power and might. Bildad uses this name to stress God’s authority in matters of justice.
  • יְעַוֵּת (ye‘avvet, from עָוַת, H5791): This verb means “to pervert” or “to twist.” Bildad is asking if God would ever distort what is right, highlighting the idea that God’s decisions are never crooked or unfair.
  • מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941): This word means “judgment” or “legal decision.” It refers to the process of making a fair and just ruling, which Bildad insists God never corrupts.
  • שַׁדַּי (Shaddai, H7706): Translated as “the Almighty,” this title for God underlines His supreme power and ability to enforce justice.
  • צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664): This word means “justice” or “righteousness.” Bildad is emphasizing that God never twists what is truly just.

Why Job 8:3 matters

  • Job 8:3 clarifies that Bildad’s argument is rooted in the belief that God’s justice is unchangeable and cannot be questioned, which is central to the friends’ view of suffering and divine fairness.
  • The verse challenges readers to think about the relationship between human suffering and God’s justice, a major theme throughout the book of Job.
  • By using strong words for “pervert,” “judgment,” and “justice,” the verse highlights the seriousness with which ancient people viewed God’s role as the ultimate judge, setting the stage for the ongoing debate between Job and his friends.

Where else these words appear

“pervert” Hebrew H5791 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 19:6 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
  • Psalms 146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

“Almighty” Hebrew H7706 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
  • Job 11:7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
  • Job 29:5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;

“justice” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.