Job 36:18

In this verse wrathappears 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" in the next clause. Elihu's doctrine, however, is that afflictions are not the expression of God's wrath but of His disciplinary mercy; and his great object is to warn Job against putting this false construction on God's dealing with him; cf. ch. 33 throughout, ch. Job 36:5.

In the second clause he warns Job against being led astray by the greatness of the ransom, by which he means Job's severe afflictions; cf. ch. Job 33:24.