AT THIS ALSO - That is, in view of the thunderstorm, for it is that which Elihu is describing. This description was commenced in Job 36:29, and is continued to Job 37:5, and should not have been separated by the division into chapters. Elihu sees a tempest rising. The clouds gather, the lightnings f... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR ATTENTIVELY - Margin, as in Hebrew “hear in hearing;” that is, bear with attention. It has been supposed by many, and not without probability, that the tempest was already seen rising, out of which God was to address Job Job 38, and that Elihu here calls the special attention of his hearers to... [ Continue Reading ]
HE DIRECTETH IT UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN - It is under the control of God, and he directs it where he pleases. It is not confined to one spot, but seems to be complaining from every part of the heavens. AND HIS LIGHTNING - Margin, as in Hebrew “light.” There can be no doubt that the lightning is inte... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER IT A VOICE ROARETH - After the lightning; that is, the flash is seen before the thunder is heard. This is apparent to all, the interval between the lightning and the hearing of the thunder depending on the distance. Lucretius, who has referred to the same fact, compares this with what occurs w... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD THUNDERETH MARVELOUSLY - He thunders in a wonderful manner. The idea is, that the voice of his thunder is an amazing exhibition of his majesty and power. GREAT THINGS DOETH HE, WHICH WE CANNOT COMPREHEND - That is, not only in regard to the thunder and the tempest, but in other things. The desc... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SAITH TO THE SNOW - That is, the snow is produced by the command of God, and is a proof of his wisdom and greatness. The idea is, that; the formation of snow was an illustration of the wisdom of God, and should teach people to regard him with reverence. It is not to be supposed that the laws... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SEALETH UP THE HAND OF EVERY MAN - That is, in the winter, when the snow is on the ground, when the streams are frozen, and when the labors of the husbandman cease. The idea of “sealing up the hand” is derived from the common purpose of a seal, to make fast, to close up, to secure (compare Job 9:... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE BEASTS GO INTO DENS - In the winter. This fact appears to have been early observed, that in the season of cold the wild animals withdrew into caves, and that many of them became torpid. This fact Elihu adverts to as an illustration of the wisdom and greatness of God. The proof of his superi... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE SOUTH - Margin, “chamber.” Jerome, “ab interioribus - from the interior,” or “inner places.” Septuagint, ἐκ ταυείων _ek_ _taueiōn_ - “from their chambers issue sorrows” - ὀωύνας _othunas_. The Hebrew word used here (חדר _cheder_) denotes properly “an apartment,” or “chamber,” especia... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE BREATH OF GOD FROST IS GIVEN - Not by the violent north wind, or by the whirlwind of the south, but God seems to “breathe” in a gentle manner, and the earth is covered with hoary frost. It appears in a still night, when there is no storm or tempest, and descends upon the earth as silently as... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO BY WATERING - Very various interpretations have been given of this phrase. Herder renders it, “His brightness rendeth the clouds.” Umbreit, Und Heiterkeit vertreibt die Wolke - “and serenity or clearness drives away the clouds.” Prof. Lee, “For irrigation is the thick cloud stretched out.” Rose... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT IS TURNED ROUND ABOUT - The word here rendered “it” (הוא _hû'_) may refer either to the “cloud,” and then it will mean that it is driven about at the pleasure of God; or it may refer to God, and then it will mean that “he” drives it about at pleasure. The sense is not materially varied. The... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CAUSETH IT TO COME - That is, the rain, or the storm. It is entirely under the hand of God, like the lightning Job 36:30, and designed to accomplish his purposes of mercy and of justice. WHETHER FOR CORRECTION - Margin, as in Hebrew “a rod.” The rod is often used as an emblem of punishment. The... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARKEN UNTO THIS, O JOB - That is, to the lesson which such events are fitted to convey respecting God. STAND STILL - In a posture of reverence and attention. The object is to secure a calm contemplation of the works of God, so that the mind might be filled with suitable reverence for him.... [ Continue Reading ]
DOST THOU KNOW WHEN GOD DISPOSED THEM? - That is, the winds, the clouds, the cold, the snow, the sky, etc. The question refers to the manner in which God arranges and governs them, rather than to the time when it was done. So the Hebrew implies, and so the connection demands. The question was not wh... [ Continue Reading ]
DOST THOU KNOW THE BALANCINGS OF THE CLOUDS? - That is, Dost thou know how the clouds are poised and suspended in the air? The difficulty to be explained was, that the clouds, so full of water, did not fail to the earth, but remained suspended in the atmosphere. They were poised and moved about by s... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW THY GARMENTS ARE WARM - What is the reason that the garments which we wear produce warmth? This, it would seem, was one of the philosophical questions which were asked at that time, and which it was difficult to explain. Perhaps it has never occurred to most persons to ask this apparently simple... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST THOU WITH HIM SPREAD OUT THE SKY? - That is, wert thou employed with God in performing that vast work, that thou canst explain how it was done? Elihu here speaks of the sky as it appears, and as it is often spoken of, as an expanse or solid body spread out over our heads, and as sustained by so... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACH US WHAT WE SHALL SAY UNTO HIM - This seems to be addressed to Job. It is the language of Elihu, implying that he was overawed with a sense of the majesty and glory of such a God. He knew not in what manner, or with what words to approach such a Being, and he asks Job to inform him, if he knew.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL IT BE TOLD HIM THAT I SPEAK? - Still the language of profound awe and reverence, as if he would not have it even intimated to God that he had presumed to say anything in regard to him, or with a view to explain the reason of his doings. IF A MAN SPEAK - That is, if he attempt to speak with Go... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW MEN SEE NOT THE BRIGHT LIGHT WHICH IS IN THE CLOUDS - Either the lightning that plays on the clouds in an approaching tempest, or a glorious light spread over the sky on the approach of God. There is reason to believe that as Elihu delivered the sentiments recorded in the close of this chapt... [ Continue Reading ]
FAIR WEATHER - Margin, “gold,” The Hebrew word (זהב _zâhâb_) properly means “gold,” and is so rendered by the Vulgate, the Syriac, and by most versions. The Septuagint renders it, νέψη χρυσαυγουντα _nepsē_ _chrusaugounta_, “clouds shining like gold.” The Chaldee, אסתניא, the north wind, Boreas.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCHING THE ALMIGHTY, WE CANNOT FIND HIM OUT - See the notes at Job 11:7. This sentiment accords with all that Elihu had said, and indeed is what he designed particularly to enforce. But it has a special emphasis here, where God is seen approaching in visible splendor, encompassed with clouds and t... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN DO THEREFORE FEAR HIM - There is reason why they should fear him, or why they should treat him with reverence. HE RESPECTETH NOT ANY THAT ARE WISE OF HEART - He pursues his own plans, and forms and executes his own counsels. He is not dependent upon the suggestions of people, and does not listen... [ Continue Reading ]