So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he [was] righteous in his own eyes. Ver. 1. _So these three men ceased to answer Job_] They were as quiet as men are on a Sabbath, so the word importeth; they had tired themselves with talking, and now they were resolved to rest them, and the rather,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Ver. 2. _Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu_] Or, Then burnt the nose of Elihu; a periphrasis of anger, which appeareth in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and [yet] had condemned Job. Ver. 3. _Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled_] True zeal is of a most masculine, disengaged, courageous nature; like fire, it catcheth on every side, and is impartia... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they [were] elder than he. Ver. 4. _Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken_] Yea, though his speech was very long, yet he heard him out, though himself were with child to speak. Broughton rendereth it, waited to speak with Job; he would not thrust... [ Continue Reading ]
When Elihu saw that [there was] no answer in the mouth of [these] three men, then his wrath was kindled. Ver. 5. _When Elihu saw that there was no answer_] And therefore Job looked upon himself as one that had won the day. St Austin professeth this was it that heartened him, and made him to triumph... [ Continue Reading ]
And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I [am] young, and ye [are] very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. Ver. 6. _I am young, and ye are very old_] Yet was he nothing inferior to any of them in wit, piety, and learning; he had lived long in a lit... [ Continue Reading ]
I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. Ver. 7. _I said, Days should speak_] This seems to have been a proverb in those days; and it ran much in Elihu's mind. We use to say, that at meetings young men should be mutes, and old men vowels. Of Arsatius, who succeeded Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Ver. 8. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty] Or, Surely there is a spirit in man, but the inspiration, &c. Man hath a reasonable soul and a natural judgment, whereby he diffe... [ Continue Reading ]
Great men are not [always] wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Ver. 9. _Great men are not always wise_] Rabbis are not the grandees of the earth; they who seem to be somewhat, Galatians 2:6, and take it ill if they be not so accounted, these are not always wise, or these are none of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion._ Ver. 10. _Therefore I said, Heaken to me_] This he speaks by way of apostrophe to Job, with whom he would fain ingratiate, that he might the better prevail to convince him of his coarse dealing with God, whose cause he wholly pleadet... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. Ver. 11. _Behold, I waited for your words_] While you had anything to say I was silent, and no way troublesome or obstreperous. This he speaketh to Job's friends, who had free liberty to speak while the... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, [there was] none of you that convinced Job, [or] that answered his words: Ver. 12. _Yea, I attended unto you_] _Et usque ad yes perpendebam,_ I throughly weighed your words, and rightly considered them (as our Mr Bradshaw was wont to do at the ministers' meeti... [ Continue Reading ]
Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. Ver. 13. _Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom_] Or, See that ye say not, We need not search out words, as Job 32:11. For, we have found out wisdom, _rem acu pertigimus,_ we have hit the nail on the head, and sai... [ Continue Reading ]
Now he hath not directed [his] words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. Ver. 14. _Now he hath not directed his speech against me_] And so I have no particular edge or grudge against him, he hath no reason to think that I come prejudicated or exasperated. This Elihu speaketh p... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking._ Ver. 15. _They were amazed_] As if they had seen Medusa's head, _Gr. Myth. One of the three Gorgons whose head, with snakes for hair, turned him who looked upon it into stone; she was slain by Perseus, and her head fixed on the ægis... [ Continue Reading ]
When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, [and] answered no more;) Ver. 16. _When I had waited, for they spake not, but stood still_] Or, Seeing I have waited, but they have not spoken, &c. Nothing appears but a dumb show, a deep silence, such as Elihu much marvelled at, and therefor... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 32:17 [I said], I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. Ver. 17. _I said, I will answer also my part_] It is a virtue to be forward and forth putting in that which is good; and a vice to be shy and shame faced. A Christian should catch at opportunities of doing and receiving... [ Continue Reading ]
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Ver. 18. _For I am full of matter_] Heb. Of words; such as are weighty and stuffy, steeped in mine understanding (as Plutarch saith Phocion's words were), and very well digested. I am ειπειν δεινοτατος, in very good case to speak; as fu... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, my belly [is] as wine [which] hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. Ver. 19. _Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent_] By this elegant similitude Elihu illustrateth what he had said before; wherein (as Merlin well observeth) he compareth words shut up in the mind of h... [ Continue Reading ]
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. Ver. 20. _I will speak, that I may be refreshed_] Heb. that I may breathe: this many martyrs did, though to the loss of their precious lives; as those that came to the tribunals, and cried out, _Christiani sumus,_ We are Christi... [ Continue Reading ]
Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. Ver. 21. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person] _q.d._ This leave you must give me, or at least wise I must take it, since my life lieth upon it to be impartial and plain dealing, laying the b... [ Continue Reading ]
For I know not to give flattering titles; [in so doing] my maker would soon take me away. Ver. 22. _For I know not to give, &c._] I have as little art in it (it is out of my road) as heart to it. For, _ In so doing my maker should take me away_] _i.e._ Kill me and send me packing to hell. He would... [ Continue Reading ]