Elihu's Fourth Speech In his former speeches Elihu was more theoretical, being intent upon correcting the false principles in regard to God enunciated by Job (see headings to ch. 33, 34, 35); in his present speech he is more practical and hortatory. He keeps still before him the same great object,... [ Continue Reading ]
Introductory: Elihu desires Job to hear him still further. He has still more to say in God's behalf; and it is not trivial or commonplace, either in its object for he will ascribe right to his Maker; nor in itself, for he is one perfect in knowledge.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse reads, Suffer me a little and I will shew thee; For I have somewhat still to say on God's behalf. The first words are lit. _wait for me a_little.... [ Continue Reading ]
_from afar_ He will speak comprehensively, embracing the distant parts of the subject in his survey, or throwing light upon it from far-off regions. _righteousness to my Maker_ Elihu gives here in a word the ruling idea of his discourses: they are all meant to ascribe righteousness or right to God;... [ Continue Reading ]
The speaker makes a higher claim than to sincerity here; he claims the character of absolute truth for his teaching he is perfect in knowledge. In a slightly different form the phrase "perfect in knowledge" is applied to God, ch. Job 37:16; cf. 1 Samuel 2:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and despiseth not_ Though God is mighty He despiseth or dis-daineth not, He gives the weakest his rights as much as the most powerful, for they are all the work of His hand, ch. Job 34:19. The words express Elihu's conception of God, which He opposes to the conception of Job (e.g. ch. 7 and often).... [ Continue Reading ]
Elihu's doctrine is in a word: God is great and despiseth not, He is great in strength of heart. His greatness is that of understanding, which enables Him to estimate all rightly, to see through all right and wrong, and to adapt His providence to the strong and to the weak, the evil and the good. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Illustration of the operation of God's understanding, giving to all conditions of men their due. _right to the poor_ Rather, HIS RIGHT; _poor_may be, as marg., _afflicted_.... [ Continue Reading ]
The second half of the verse reads, But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted. God's careful providence especially keeps the righteous, whom He exalts to the loftiest stations, 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalms 113:7 _seq_.... [ Continue Reading ]
The expression "fetters" is rather to be taken figuratively, meaning affliction or adversity, as "cords of affliction" in the next clause suggests.... [ Continue Reading ]
If life often appears to present a different picture and men are seen in affliction, this affliction is a discipline, needful to warn them and bring their evil before them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that they have exceeded_ Or, HAVE DEALT PROUDLY, ch. Job 33:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning of afflictions they are a divine warning and stimulus to rouse men out of a sinful lethargy and bring their sin to their remembrance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Such afflictions, though graciously meant, may have different issues according as men receive them. On the expression "the sword" in Job 36:12 see ch. Job 33:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
_hypocrites in heart_ Rather, GODLESS IN HEART; comp. ch. Job 8:13. _heap up wrath_ Rather, LAY UP ANGER, i. e. in their hearts, Psalms 13:2; Proverbs 26:24; they cherish anger at the Divine discipline (ch. Job 5:2). The "wrath" or anger referred to is their own, not that of God (Romans 2:5). The p... [ Continue Reading ]
Such afflictions indeed are sometimes the means of revealing what character men are of, ch. Job 5:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They die_ lit. _their soul dieth._They perish in the midst of their days. _is among the unclean_ Or, PERISHETH AMONG THE UNCLEAN, i. e. _like_the unclean. They die prematurely or in debasement like the _hierodouloi_in the temples of Baal, comp. 1Ki 14:24; 1 Kings 15:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse goes back to the great general principle of the use of affliction in God's hand (Job 36:8 _seq_.), in order to connect with it the case of Job, and to found an exhortation to him upon it (Job 36:16 _seq_.). The word _in_affliction, _in_oppression, might mean _through_affliction, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
The words _even so_connect Job's case with the general principles in regard to suffering just inculcated by Elihu. The figures of "straitness" and "broad place" are usual for affliction and prosperity, cf. ch. Job 18:7. The figure of a plenteous table is also common, Psalms 23:5. The speaker does no... [ Continue Reading ]
Application to Job of the principles in regard to affliction just enunciated by Elihu. Job 36:16 are difficult and have been understood in a great variety of ways. The general sense expressed by the A. V. is probably correct, unless probability be considered too strong a term to employ of any rende... [ Continue Reading ]
The A. V. takes this verse positively; it is more suitable to the connexion and purpose of the speaker to understand it conditionally _if thou art filled with_, or as A. V. _fulfillest_. To be full of, or to fulfil, the judgment of the wicked, is to join the wicked in their judgment of God when He a... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse _wrath_appears to be that of Job, as "anger," Job 36:13. Elihu warns him against allowing it to entice him into rebellion against God, comp. ch. Job 34:37. The A. V. takes "wrath" as that of God, visible in Job's afflictions. This gives a good parallel to the "greatness of the ransom... [ Continue Reading ]
No other ransom will avail, not riches nor all the power of wealth. Only the purification of suffering will cleanse him from his evil (cf. ch. Job 34:36), and deliver him. Elihu demands with emphasis whether all his riches will be accepted as a ransom? It need not be said that the question is put me... [ Continue Reading ]
Elihu continues his warning to Job. 20. Desire not that night When the peoples are cut off in their place; 21. Take heed, turn not unto iniquity, For this thou choosest rather than affliction. 20. The "night" is as usual a figure for destruction and judgment. By this destroying judgment of God... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse continues the warning against a rebellious mind under affliction, called here "turning unto iniquity"; for Job shews himself more inclined to this than to submission to God's chastening hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
_exalteth by his power_ Rather, GOD DOETH LOFTILY IN HIS POWER. _who teacheth_ Or, WHO IS A TEACHER.... [ Continue Reading ]
Instead of murmuring Job should bow under the mighty hand of God, who through the operations of His providence is a great teacher of men (Job 36:22); who is supreme (Job 36:23); and whose work all men celebrate (Job 36:24), looking to it with admiration and awe (Job 36:25).... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse expresses the idea that God is supreme; none enjoins or appoints Him His way; He is "God over all;" and hence none can pass judgment upon His doings.... [ Continue Reading ]
_which men behold_ Rather, WHICH MEN DO SING, that is, celebrate with praise.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse is better without the "may" of the A. V. All men look thereon, Man beholdeth it afar off. Men look on God's work, His operations, with wonder and awe.... [ Continue Reading ]
_we know him not_ He is so great as to transcend all knowledge of man. The Eternity of God is referred to in the second clause in order to fill the mind more completely with the sense of His greatness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 36:26-33. The greatness and unsearchableness of God, seen in His marvellous operations in the skies; and exhortation to Job to allow these wonders duly to impress him, and to bow beneath the greatness of God, who surpasses all comprehension The passage has two sections: First, ch. Job 36:26 to... [ Continue Reading ]
The wonder of the rain-drops. 27. For he maketh small the rain-drops; They distil the rain of his vapour; 28. Which the clouds pour down, And drop upon the multitude of mankind. 27. _he maketh small_ lit. _he draweth away_, the reference being probably to the formation of the rain, which God dr... [ Continue Reading ]
_upon man abundantly_ This is possible, but the more natural meaning is as above, the reference being to the universal reach of the rain, and its fall on all mankind. 29 37:5. The marvel of the thunder-storm.... [ Continue Reading ]
The "spreadings" of the clouds refers probably to the accumulation and diffusion of the storm clouds over the heavens; and the second clause to the loud thundering within the dark cloud, where God is enshrouded, and which is therefore called His "pavilion." So the word is rendered Psalms 18:11, wher... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 36:30 needs some modification 29. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, And the crashings of his pavilion? 30. Behold, he spreadeth his light around him, And covereth him over with the deeps of the sea.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though God is enveloped in the dark cloud, He is there encircled with His light, which, though the masses of waters cover Him, manifests itself to men's eyes in the lightning that shoots from the cloud and illumines it. _the bottom of the sea_ lit. _the roots_of the sea, a singular figure, which mu... [ Continue Reading ]
_For by them judgeth he the people_ Rather, the PEOPLES. He judges the peoples by the lightning and the rain cloud. By the one He "scatters" and "discomfits" His enemies (Psalms 18:14), and by the other He watereth the earth and makes it fruitful (Isaiah 55:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
The verses read, 32. He covereth over his hands with light, And giveth it commandment against the adversary; 33. His thundering telleth concerning him; Unto the cattle, even concerning him that cometh up; 32. The "light" here is the lightning, which grasped in His hands illuminates them. Hitzig... [ Continue Reading ]
_the cattle also_ The A. V. makes "cattle" subject they also tell of God; in which case the reference would be to their presentiments of a coming storm. The context, however, describes a storm actually present, and it is more natural to repeat the words "it telleth" from the first clause and render,... [ Continue Reading ]