KJV ORIGINAL
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
If you are righteous, what do you give to God? Or what does He receive from your hand?
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is asking what God actually gains or receives from our good deeds and righteous behavior.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Job, Elihu is speaking to Job during a debate about suffering and divine justice, as Job has been questioning why a righteous person like himself endures hardship. Elihu emphasizes God's complete independence and sovereignty, arguing in this verse that human righteousness does not benefit God in any way. This occurs in the ancient Near Eastern context of wisdom literature, where such dialogues explore profound questions about God's nature and human existence.
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