FURTHERMORE, ELIHU ANSWERED AND SAID - That is, evidently, after a pause to see if Job had anything to reply. The word answered in the Scriptures often means “to begin a discourse,” though nothing had been said by others; see Job 3:2; Isaiah 14:10; Zechariah 1:10; Zechariah 3:4; Zechariah 4:11. Some... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR MY WORDS, O YE WISE MEN - Addressing particularly the three friends of Job. The previous chapter had been addressed to Job himself. He had stated to him his views of the design of affliction, and he had nothing to reply. He now addresses himself to his friends, with a particular view of examini... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EAR TRIETH WORDS - Ascertains their meaning, and especially determines what words are worth regarding. The object of this is, to fix the attention on what he was about to say; to get the ear so that every word should make its proper impression. The word ear in this place, however, seems not... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US CHOOSE TO US JUDGMENT - That is, let us examine and explore what is true and right. Amidst the conflicting opinions, and the sentiments which have been advanced, let us find out what will abide the test of close investigation.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JOB HATH SAID, I AM RIGHTEOUS - see Job 13:18, “I know that I shall be justified;” compare Job 23:10, where he says, if he was tried he would come forth as gold. Elihu may have also referred to the general course of remark which he had pursued as vindicating himself. AND GOD HATH TAKEN AWAY MY... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD I LIE AGAINST MY RIGHT? - These are also quoted as the words of Job, and as a part of the erroneous opinions on which Elihu proposes to comment. These words do not occur, however, as used by Job respecting himself, and Elihu must be understood to refer to what he regarded as the general strai... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MAN IS LIKE JOB, WHO DRINKETH UP SCORNING LIKE WATER? - A similar image occurs in Job 15:16. The idea is, that he was full of reproachful speeches respecting God; of the language of irreverence and rebellion. He indulged in it as freely as a man drinks water; gathers up and imbibes all the lang... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH GOETH IN COMPANY WITH THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY - That is, in his sentiments. The idea is, that he advocated the same opinions which they did, and entertained the same views of God and of his government. The same charge had been before brought against him by his friends; see the notes at Job 21.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE HATH SAID, IT PROFITETH A MAN NOTHING THAT HE SHOULD DELIGHT HIMSELF IN GOD - That is, there is no advantage in piety, and in endeavoring to serve God. It will make no difference in the divine dealings with him. He will be treated just as well if he lives a life of sin, as if he undertakes to... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE HEARKEN UNTO ME - Elihu proceeds now to reply to what he regarded as the erroneous sentiments of Job, and to show the impropriety of language which reflected so much on God and his government. Instead, however, of meeting the facts in the case, and showing how the actual course of events c... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE WORK OF A MAN SHALL HE RENDER UNTO HIM - He shall treat each man as he deserves - and this is the essence of justice. Of the truth of this, also, there could have been no question. Elihu does not, indeed, apply it to the case of Job, but there can be little doubt that he intended that it sho... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, SURELY GOD WILL NOT DO WICKEDLY - So important does Elihu hold this principle to be, that he repeats it, and dwells upon it. He says, “it surely (אמנם _'omnâm_) must be so.” The principle must be held at all hazards, and no opinion which contravenes this should be indulged for one moment. His... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATH GIVEN HIM A CHARGE OVER THE EARTH? - That is, he is the great original Proprietor and Ruler of all. He has derived his authority to govern from no one; he is under subjection to no one, and he has, therefore, an absolute right to do his own pleasure. Reigning then with absolute and original... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE SET HIS HEART UPON MAN - Margin, as in Hebrew “upon him” - meaning “man.” That is, if he fixes his attention particularly on him, or should form a purpose in regard him. The argument seems to be tbis. “If God wished such a thing, and should set his heart upon it, he could easily cut off the wh... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL FLESH SHALL PERISH TOGETHER - If God chose, he would have a right to cut down the whole race. How then shall people complain of the loss of health, comforts, and friends, and presume to arraign God as if he were unjust?... [ Continue Reading ]
IF NOW THOU HAST UNDERSTANDING HEAR THIS - This appears to be addressed to Job. The discourse before this had been directed to his three friends, but Elihu appears here to have turned to Job, and to have made a solemn appeal to him, whether this were not so. In the subsequent verses he remonstrates... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL EVEN HE THAT HATETH RIGHT GOVERN? - Margin, as in Hebrew “bind.” That is, shall he bind by laws. The argument in this verse seems to be an appeal to what must be the conviction of mankind, that God, the Great Governor of the universe, could not be unjust. This conviction, Elihu appears to have... [ Continue Reading ]
IS IT FIT TO SAY TO A KING, THOU ART WICKED? - The argument here is this: “There would be gross impropriety in arraigning the conduct of an earthly monarch, and using language severely condemning what he does. Respect is due to those of elevated rank. Their plans are often concealed. It is difficult... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW MUCH LESS TO HIM THAT ACCEPTETH NOT THE PERSON OF PRINCES - To accept the person of anyone is to treat him with special favor on account of his rank, his wealth, or from favoritism and partiality. This God often disclaims in respect to himself; (compare Galatians 2:6; Acts 10:34; 2 Chronicles 19... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A MOMENT SHALL THEY DIE - That is, the rich and the great. They pass suddenly off the stage of action. They have no power to compel God to favor them, and they have no permanency of existence here which can constitute a claim on his special favor. Soon they will lie undistinguished in the dust. A... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIS EYES ARE UPON THE WAYS OF MAN - None can escape from his notice; compare Psalms 139:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO DARKNESS - No dark cavern which can furnish a place of concealment. The guilty usually take refuge in some obscure place where people cannot detect them. But Elihu says that man has no power of concealing himself thus from God. NOR SHADOW OF DEATH - A phrase here signifying deep darknes... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE WILL NOT LAY UPON MAN MORE THAN RIGHT - Very various translations have been given of this verse. According to our common version, it means that God will not deal with man in such a manner as to give him just reason for calling in question the rectitude of the divine dealings. He shall in no c... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL BREAK IN PIECES - He crushes or destroys the great. He is not intimidated by their wealth, their rank, or their number. WITHOUT NUMBER - Margin, more correctly, “searching out.” That is, he does it without the protracted process of a judicial investigation. The Hebrew word used here (חקר _c... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE HE KNOWETH THEIR WORKS - Or, “Because he knoweth their works.” The word (לכן _lākên_) here rendered “therefore” is evidently used as denoting that since or because he was intimately acquainted with all which they did, he could justly bring vengeance upon them without long investigation.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STRIKETH THEM AS WICKED MEN - literally, “Under the wicked, or on account of the wicked, he smites them.” That is, he deals with them “as if” they were wicked; he regards and treats them as such. He deals with them “under” the general character of wicked people, and punishes them accordingly. IN... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THEY TURNED BACK FROM HIM - Margin, “from after him.” That is, they receded, or went away from God. AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY OF HIS WAYS - They would not regard or attend to any of his commands. The word way, in the Scriptures, is often used to denote “religion.” A “way” denotes the cours... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THAT THEY CAUSE THE CRY OF THE POOR TO COME UNTO HIM - - Their character is that of oppressors. They take away the rights of the poor; strip away their property without any just claims, and cause them to pour out their lamentations before God. AND HE HEARETH THE CRY OF THE AFFLICTED - They oppre... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE GIVETH QUIETNESS - That is, when God designs to give rest, comfort, ease, or prosperity in any way to a man. The Hebrew word used here may refer to any kind of ease, rest, or peace. The idea which Elihu intends to convey is, that God has all things under his control, and that he can bring pr... [ Continue Reading ]
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 des... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY IT IS MEET TO BE SAID UNTO GOD - It is evident that this verse commences a new strain of remark, and that it is designed particularly to bring Job to proper reflections in view of what had occurred. There has been, however, much diversity of opinion about the meaning of this and the following... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH I SEE NOT, TEACH THOU ME - That is, in regard to my errors and sins. No prayer could be more appropriate than this. It is language becoming every one who is afflicted, and who does not see clearly the reason why it is done. The sense is, that with a full belief that he is liable to error... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD IT BE ACCORDING TO THY MIND? - Margin, as in Hebrew “from with thee” - המעמך _hamē‛im__e__kā_. There has been much diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of this verse. It is exceedingly obscure in the original, and has the appearance of being a proverbial expression. The general sen... [ Continue Reading ]
LET MEN OF UNDERSTANDING - Margin, as in Hebrew “heart.” The “heart,” as there has been frequent occasions to remark, in the Scriptures is often used to denote the seat of the mind or soul, as the head is with us. Rosenmuller, Umbreit, and Noyes, render this passage as if it were to be taken in conn... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DESIRE IS - Margin, “or, “my father, let Job be tried.”” This variation between the text and the margin, arises from the different interpretations affixed to the Hebrew word אבי _'âbiy_. The Hebrew word commonly means “father,” and some have supposed that that sense is to be retained here, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE ADDETH REBELLION UNTO HIS SIN - To the sin which he has formerly committed and which bas brought these trials upon him, he now adds the sin of complaining and rebellion against God. Of Job, this was certainly not true to the extent which Elihu intended, but it is a very common case in afflict... [ Continue Reading ]