XXXII. (1) SO THESE THREE MEN CEASED. — The next six Chapter s are taken up with the reply of a fourth person not before mentioned, but who appears to have been present during the discussion, and who is described as Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram. The name appears to me... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE HE JUSTIFIED HIMSELF RATHER THAN GOD. — See Job 19:6. Job maintained his innocence, and could not understand how his affliction could be reconciled with the justice of God. Yet, at the same time, he declared that God was his salvation (Job 13:16), and that it was impossible for man to be abs... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_3_)_ THEY HAD FOUND NO ANSWER. — They could not reply unto Job, nor deny that he had been in conduct such as he said he had been, and yet they concluded that he must be wicked because God had smitten him.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW ELIHU HAD WAITED TILL JOB HAD SPOKEN. — Literally, _Had waited in words for or regarding Job;_ that is, as some understand it, had waited to speak unto Job, or, more probably, had waited till the argument was closed to declare his opinion with reference to Job. The line taken by Elihu is an inte... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM YOUNG. — The way in which Elihu comes forward is very interesting, and full of character. It gives us also a picture of the times and habits.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THERE IS A SPIRIT IN MAN. — Rather, _But it is the spirit in man._ AND THE INSPIRATION OF THE ALMIGHTY. — Rather, _And the breath of the Almighty that giveth them understanding._ It is the expression used in the Mosaic narrative of the origin of man, and may perhaps show acquaintance on the par... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT MEN ARE NOT ALWAYS WISE. — That is, _old men._ He had just before said that he was “little in days” (Job 32:6); or it may be used in the sense of number, many, or multitudes. (Comp. what Job himself said, Job 12:2 : “No doubt because ye are a _people_ wisdom will die with you.”)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I SAID. — Equivalent to, _Therefore I say._ It is what he says now, as the result of former convictions.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS NONE OF YOU. — In Elihu’s judgment there was no one who touched the main point of the argument with Job.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST YE SHOULD SAY. — That is, “I resolved to speak, lest ye should think yourselves wise, and that God was afflicting him on account of his sins.” God is declaring his guilt in such a way that man’s opinion matters little.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE AMAZED. — The force is given better by substituting the present tense, “They are amazed, they answer no more: they have not a word to say.”... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I HAD WAITED. — Or, as some render it, “And shall I wait because they speak not?” But they stand still and make no further reply.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEW BOTTLES. — Or _wine-skins._ (Comp. Matthew 9:17.)... [ Continue Reading ]
IN SO DOING MY MAKER WOULD SOON TAKE ME AWAY. — Or perhaps the meaning may be, “My Maker will almost have to forgive me:_”_ that is, for being too candid, frank, and straightforward; for speaking too plainly. Some commentators regard Elihu’s character with great disfavour, and consider him to be an... [ Continue Reading ]