_A.M. 2484. B.C. 1520._ Some account of Elihu, and his sentiments concerning the dispute between Job and his friends, Job 32:1. He excuses his own youth. 6-10; and pleads that he had heard all they had to say, Job 32:11. That he had something new to offer, Job 32:14. Could not refrain from speaking... [ Continue Reading ]
_So these three men ceased to answer Job_ Finding that he persevered in asserting that he was not guilty of any of the heinous crimes which they laid to his charge, they left off disputing with him; _because he was righteous in his own eyes_ So they said; but the fact was they could not answer him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu_ Elihu, a new personage, here makes his appearance. Attentive, all the while, to the debate between Job and his friends, he utters not a word till both sides have done speaking; and then shows, that a stander-by may sometimes see further into a dispute than they... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Elihu saw, &c., then his wrath was kindled_ When he saw that none of these three offered to reply, but sat as men that knew not what to say, he was not able to hold his peace any longer. With the next words the metre begins again, the preceding part of this chapter being in prose. _I am young,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Great men are not always wise_ That is, men of eminence for age, or learning, or dignity and power, such as Job's three friends seem to have been; _neither do the aged_ (always) _understand judgment_ What is just and right; or the judgment of God, and the methods and reasons of his administrations.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I waited for your words_ With silence, patience, and diligent attention, which therefore I now expect from you. _I gave ear to your reasons_ Or, _reasonings;_ Hebrew, תבונותיכם, _tebunotheichem, your understandings_, or _minds;_ the depth and strength of your discourses; your most intellige... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yea, I attended unto you_ I have duly considered all you have said; _and behold, none of you convinced Job_ I must pronounce you have not confuted him, nor advanced any thing to the purpose in answer to his defence of himself. _Lest you should say, We have found out wisdom_ God has thus left you to... [ Continue Reading ]
_He hath not directed his words against me_ I am not engaged in this dispute by any provoking words of Job, as you have been, which have excited your passions, and biased your judgments; but I speak merely from zeal for the vindication of God's honour, and from love to truth and justice, and a since... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were amazed_ Job's three friends stood mute, like persons amazed, not knowing what to reply to his arguments, and wondering at his bold and confident assertions concerning his integrity, and his interest in the favour of God, under such terrible and manifest tokens, as they thought them, of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will answer also my part_ I will take my turn and speak what they have omitted. _I am full of matter_ I have many things to say in this cause; _the spirit within me constraineth me_ My spirit, or soul, is so entirely dissatisfied with what hath hitherto been spoken, and so clearly apprehends what... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, my belly_ That is, my mind or heart; _is as wine which hath no vent_ Is as a bottle filled with wine. Or, my thoughts and affections work within me, like fermenting wine in a bottle, and must have utterance. An elegant similitude, as Mercer observes. The wine is here put, by a metonymy, for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let me not accept any man's person_ So as, either from fear of, or respect to, any man, to speak otherwise than I think. Do not expect me to speak partially, or by way of flattery, to any one, but bear with my free and plain dealing. As he found himself under a strong impulse to speak, so he would... [ Continue Reading ]