Job 34:30
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
American King James Version (AKJV)
That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
American Standard Version (ASV)
That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
...
Webster's Revision
That the hypocrite may not reign, lest the people should be ensnared.
World English Bible
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
English Revised Version (ERV)
That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.
Clarke's Job 34:30 Bible Commentary
That the hypocrite reign not - The Vulgate translates, Who causes a wicked man to reign because of the sins of the people. This was precisely the defense which Hegiage, the oppressive ruler of the Babylonian Irak, under the caliph Abdul Malec, made when he found the people in a state of insurrection. See at the end of the chapter, Job 34:37 (note).
Barnes's Job 34:30 Bible Commentary
That the hypocrite reign not - All this is done to prevent wicked men from ruling over the people. The remarks of Elihu had had respect much to princes and kings, and he had shown that however great they were, they were in the hands of God, and were wholly at his disposal. He "now" says that the design of his dealings with them was to prevent their oppressing their fellow-men. The general scope of the remarks of Elihu is, that God is the universal Sovereign; that he has all people under his control, and that there are none so powerful as to be able to resist his will. The remark in this verse is thrown in, not as illustrating this general sentiment, but to show what was "in fact" the aim for which he thus interposed - to save people from being oppressed and crushed by those in authority.
Lest the people be ensnared - Hebrew "From their being snarers of the people." He thrusts down the mighty, in order that they may not be left to take the people as wild beasts are taken in the toils. They were disposed to make use of their power to oppress others, but God interposes, and the people are saved. For a fuller view of this verse, see the remarks of Rosenmuller.
Wesley's Job 34:30 Bible Commentary
34:30 Reign not - May not continue his tyranny, lest the people be ensnared, lest the people should be longer kept in the the snares of oppression; God doth this to free poor oppressed people from the snares which ungodly men lay for them.