1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
1 Furthermore Elihu H453 answered H6030 and said, H559
2 Hear H8085 my words, H4405 O ye wise H2450 men; and give ear H238 unto me, ye that have knowledge. H3045
3 For the ear H241 trieth H974 words, H4405 as the mouth H2441 tasteth H2938 meat. H398
4 Let us choose H977 to us judgment: H4941 let us know H3045 among ourselves what is good. H2896
5 For Job H347 hath said, H559 I am righteous: H6663 and God H410 hath taken away H5493 my judgment. H4941
6 Should I lie H3576 against my right? H4941 my wound H2671 is incurable H605 without transgression. H6588
7 What man H1397 is like Job, H347 who drinketh up H8354 scorning H3933 like water? H4325
8 Which goeth H732 in company H2274 with the workers H6466 of iniquity, H205 and walketh H3212 with wicked H7562 men. H582
9 For he hath said, H559 It profiteth H5532 a man H1397 nothing that he should delight H7521 himself with God. H430
10 Therefore hearken H8085 unto me, ye men H582 of understanding: H3824 far be it H2486 from God, H410 that he should do wickedness; H7562 and from the Almighty, H7706 that he should commit iniquity. H5766
11 For the work H6467 of a man H120 shall he render H7999 unto him, and cause every man H376 to find H4672 according to his ways. H734
12 Yea, surely H551 God H410 will not do wickedly, H7561 neither will the Almighty H7706 pervert H5791 judgment. H4941
13 Who hath given him a charge H6485 over the earth? H776 or who hath disposed H7760 the whole world? H8398
14 If he set H7760 his heart H3820 upon man, if he gather H622 unto himself his spirit H7307 and his breath; H5397
15 All flesh H1320 shall perish H1478 together, H3162 and man H120 shall turn again H7725 unto dust. H6083
16 If now thou hast understanding, H998 hear H8085 this: hearken H238 to the voice H6963 of my words. H4405
17 Shall even he that hateth H8130 right H4941 govern? H2280 and wilt thou condemn H7561 him that is most H3524 just? H6662
18 Is it fit to say H559 to a king, H4428 Thou art wicked? H1100 and to princes, H5081 Ye are ungodly? H7563
19 How much less to him that accepteth H5375 not the persons H6440 of princes, H8269 nor regardeth H5234 the rich H7771 more than H6440 the poor? H1800 for they all are the work H4639 of his hands. H3027
20 In a moment H7281 shall they die, H4191 and the people H5971 shall be troubled H1607 at midnight, H2676 H3915 and pass away: H5674 and the mighty H47 shall be taken away H5493 without hand. H3027
21 For his eyes H5869 are upon the ways H1870 of man, H376 and he seeth H7200 all his goings. H6806
22 There is no darkness, H2822 nor shadow of death, H6757 where the workers H6466 of iniquity H205 may hide H5641 themselves.
23 For he will not lay H7760 upon man H376 more than right; that he should enter H1980 into judgment H4941 with God. H410
24 He shall break in pieces H7489 mighty men H3524 without number, H2714 and set H5975 others H312 in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth H5234 their works, H4566 and he overturneth H2015 them in the night, H3915 so that they are destroyed. H1792
26 He striketh H5606 them as H8478 wicked men H7563 in the open H4725 sight H7200 of others;
27 Because they turned back H5493 from him, H310 and would not consider H7919 any of his ways: H1870
28 So that they cause the cry H6818 of the poor H1800 to come H935 unto him, and he heareth H8085 the cry H6818 of the afflicted. H6041
29 When he giveth quietness, H8252 who then can make trouble? H7561 and when he hideth H5641 his face, H6440 who then can behold H7789 him? whether it be done against a nation, H1471 or against a man H120 only: H3162
30 That the hypocrite H120 H2611 reign H4427 not, lest the people H5971 be ensnared. H4170
31 Surely it is meet to be said H559 unto God, H410 I have borne H5375 chastisement, I will not offend H2254 any more:
32 That which I see H2372 not H1107 teach H3384 thou me: if I have done H6466 iniquity, H5766 I will do H3254 no more.
33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense H7999 it, whether thou refuse, H3588 H3988 or whether thou choose; H977 and not I: therefore speak H1696 what thou knowest. H3045
34 Let men H582 of understanding H3824 tell H559 me, and let a wise H2450 man H1397 hearken H8085 unto me.
35 Job H347 hath spoken H1696 without knowledge, H1847 and his words H1697 were without wisdom. H7919
36 My desire H15 H1 is that Job H347 may be tried H974 unto the end H5331 because of his answers H8666 for wicked H205 men. H582
37 For he addeth H3254 rebellion H6588 unto his sin, H2403 he clappeth H5606 his hands among us, and multiplieth H7235 his words H561 against God. H410
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right:
6 Notwithstanding my right I am `accounted' a liar; My wound is incurable, `though I am' without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,
8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he set his heart upon himself, `If' he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.
16 If now `thou hast' understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous `and' mighty?-
18 `Him' that saith to a king, `Thou art' vile, `Or' to nobles, `Ye are' wicked;
19 That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men `in ways' past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.
25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:
28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether `it be done' unto a nation, or unto a man:
30 That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people.
31 For hath any said unto God, I have borne `chastisement', I will not offend `any more':
32 That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?
33 Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me:
35 Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.
36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.
1 And Elihu answereth and saith:
2 Hear, O wise men, my words, And, O knowing ones, give ear to me.
3 For the ear doth try words, And the palate tasteth to eat.
4 Judgment let us choose for ourselves, Let us know among ourselves what `is' good.
5 For Job hath said, `I have been righteous, And God hath turned aside my right,
6 Against my right do I lie? Mortal `is' mine arrow -- without transgression.'
7 Who `is' a man like Job? He drinketh scoffing like water,
8 And he hath travelled for company With workers of iniquity, So as to go with men of wickedness.
9 For he hath said, `It doth not profit a man, When he delighteth himself with God.'
10 Therefore, O men of heart, hearken to me; Far be it from God to do wickedness, And `from' the Mighty to do perverseness:
11 For the work of man he repayeth to him, And according to the path of each He doth cause him to find.
12 Yea, truly, God doth not do wickedly, And the Mighty doth not pervert judgment.
13 Who hath inspected for Himself the earth? And who hath placed all the habitable world?
14 If He doth set on him His heart, His spirit and his breath unto Him He gathereth.
15 Expire doth all flesh together, And man to dust returneth.
16 And if `there is' understanding, hear this, Give ear to the voice of my words.
17 Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?
18 Who hath said to a king -- `Worthless,' Unto princes -- `Wicked?'
19 That hath not accepted the person of princes, Nor hath known the rich before the poor, For a work of His hands `are' all of them.
20 `In' a moment they die, and at midnight Shake do people, and they pass away, And they remove the mighty without hand.
21 For His eyes `are' on the ways of each, And all his steps He doth see.
22 There is no darkness nor death-shade, For workers of iniquity to be hidden there;
23 For He doth not suffer man any more, To go unto God in judgment,
24 He breaketh the mighty -- no searching! And He appointeth others in their stead.
25 Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they are bruised.
26 As wicked He hath stricken them, In the place of beholders.
27 Because that against right They have turned aside from after Him, And none of His ways have considered wisely,
28 To cause to come in unto Him The cry of the poor, And the cry of the afflicted He heareth.
29 And He giveth rest, and who maketh wrong? And hideth the face, and who beholdeth it? And in reference to a nation and to a man, `It is' the same.
30 From the reigning of a profane man, From the snares of a people;
31 For unto God hath any said: `I have taken away, I do not corruptly,
32 Besides `that which' I see, shew Thou me, If iniquity I have done -- I do not add?'
33 By thee doth He recompense, That thou hast refused -- That thou dost choose, and not I? And what thou hast known, speak.
34 Let men of heart say to me, And a wise man is hearkening to me.
35 Job -- not with knowledge doth he speak, And his words `are' not with wisdom.
36 My Father! let Job be tried -- unto victory, Because of answers for men of iniquity,
37 For he doth add to his sin, Transgression among us he vomiteth, And multiplieth his sayings to God.
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and ùGod hath taken away my judgment:
6 Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,
8 And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God.
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from ùGod, and wrong from the Almighty!
11 For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.
12 Yea, surely, ùGod acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.
13 Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,
15 All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
17 Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
18 Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
19 [How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before ùGod in judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;
30 That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.
31 For hath he said unto ùGod, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;
32 What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?
33 Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.
34 Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.
36 Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against ùGod.
1 Moreover Elihu answered,
2 "Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear tries words, As the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
7 What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water,
8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?
9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.'
10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, From the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man will he render to him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh would perish together, And man would turn again to dust.
16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--
18 Who says to a king, 'Vile!' Or to nobles, 'Wicked!'
19 Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, Nor regards the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, The mighty are taken away without hand.
21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, He sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned aside from following him, And wouldn't have regard in any of his ways:
28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, He heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man:
30 That the godless man may not reign, That there be no one to ensnare the people.
31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32 Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
34 Men of understanding will tell me, Yes, every wise man who hears me:
35 'Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.'
36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God."
1 And Elihu made answer and said,
2 Give ear, you wise, to my words; and you who have knowledge, give attention to me;
3 For words are tested by the ear, as food is tasted by the mouth.
4 Let us make the decision for ourselves as to what is right; let us have the knowledge among ourselves of what is good.
5 For Job has said, I am upright, and it is God who has taken away my right;
6 Though I am right, still I am in pain; my wound may not be made well, though I have done no wrong.
7 What man is like Job, a man who freely makes sport of God,
8 And goes in the company of evil-doers, walking in the way of sinners?
9 For he has said, It is no profit to a man to take delight in God.
10 Now then, you wise, take note; you men of knowledge, give ear to me. Let it be far from God to do evil, and from the Ruler of all to do wrong.
11 For he gives to every man the reward of his work, and sees that he gets the fruit of his ways.
12 Truly, God does not do evil, and the Ruler of all is not a false judge.
13 Who put the earth into his care, or made him responsible for the world?
14 If he made his spirit come back to him, taking his breath into himself again,
15 All flesh would come to an end together, and man would go back to the dust.
16 If you are wise, take note of this; give ear to the voice of my words.
17 How may a hater of right be a ruler? and will you say that the upright Ruler of all is evil?
18 He who says to a king, You are an evil-doer; and to rulers, You are sinners;
19 Who has no respect for rulers, and who gives no more attention to those who have wealth than to the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.
20 Suddenly they come to an end, even in the middle of the night: the blow comes on the men of wealth, and they are gone, and the strong are taken away without the hand of man.
21 For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no dark place, and no thick cloud, in which the workers of evil may take cover.
23 For he does not give man a fixed time to come before him to be judged.
24 He sends the strong to destruction without searching out their cause, and puts others in their place.
25 For he has knowledge of their works, overturning them in the night, so that they are crushed.
26 The evil-doers are broken by his wrath, he puts his hand on them with force before the eyes of all onlookers.
27 Because they did not go after him, and took no note of his ways,
28 So that the cry of the poor might come up to him, and the prayer of those in need come to his ears.
29 ...
30 ...
31 ...
32 ...
33 ...
34 Men of knowledge, and all wise men, hearing me, will say,
35 Job's words do not come from knowledge; they are not the fruit of wisdom.
36 May Job be tested to the end, because his answers have been like those of evil men.
37 For in addition to his sin, he is uncontrolled in heart; before our eyes he makes sport of God, increasing his words against him.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Job 34
Commentary on Job 34 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 34
Job 34:1-37.
1. answered—proceeded.
2. This chapter is addressed also to the "friends" as the thirty-third chapter to Job alone.
3. palate—(See on Job 12:11; Job 33:2).
4. judgment—Let us select among the conflicting sentiments advanced, what will stand the test of examination.
5. judgment—my right. Job's own words (Job 13:18; 27:2).
6. Were I to renounce my right (that is, confess myself guilty), I should die. Job virtually had said so (Job 27:4, 5; 6:28). Maurer, not so well, "Notwithstanding my right (innocence) I am treated as a liar," by God, by His afflicting me.
my wound—literally, "mine arrow," namely, by which I am pierced. So "my stroke" ("hand," Job 23:2, Margin). My sickness (Job 6:4; 16:13).
without transgression—without fault of mine to deserve it (Job 16:17).
7. (Job 15:16). Image from the camel.
scorning—against God (Job 15:4).
8. Job virtually goes in company (makes common cause) with the wicked, by taking up their sentiments (Job 9:22, 23, 30; 21:7-15), or at least by saying, that those who act on such sentiments are unpunished (Mal 3:14). To deny God's righteous government because we do not see the reasons of His acts, is virtually to take part with the ungodly.
9. with God—in intimacy (Ps 50:18, Margin).
10. The true answer to Job, which God follows up (Job 38:1-41). Man is to believe God's ways are right, because they are His, not because we fully see they are so (Ro 9:14; De 32:4; Ge 18:25).
11. Partly here; fully, hereafter (Jer 32:19; Ro 2:6; 1Pe 1:17; Re 22:12).
12. (Job 8:3). In opposition to Job, Job 34:5, will not—cannot.
13. If the world were not God's property, as having been made by Him, but committed to His charge by some superior, it might be possible for Him to act unjustly, as He would not thereby be injuring Himself; but as it is, for God to act unjustly would undermine the whole order of the world, and so would injure God's own property (Job 36:23).
disposed—hath founded (Isa 44:7), established the circle of the globe.
14, 15. "If He were to set His heart on man," either to injure him, or to take strict account of his sins. The connection supports rather [Umbreit], "If He had regard to himself (only), and were to gather unto Himself (Ps 104:29) man's spirit, &c. (which he sends forth, Ps 104:30; Ec 12:7), all flesh must perish together," &c. (Ge 3:19). God's loving preservation of His creatures proves He cannot be selfish, and therefore cannot be unjust.
16. In Job 34:2, Elihu had spoken to all in general, now he calls Job's special attention.
17. "Can even He who (in thy view) hateth right (justice) govern?" The government of the world would be impossible if injustice were sanctioned. God must be just, because He governs (2Sa 23:3).
govern—literally, "bind," namely, by authority (so "reign," 1Sa 9:17, Margin). Umbreit translates for "govern, repress wrath, namely, against Job for his accusations.
most just—rather, "Him who is at once mighty and just" (in His government of the world).
18. Literally, (Is it fit) to be said to a king? It would be a gross outrage to reproach thus an earthly monarch, much more the King of kings (Ex 22:28). But Maurer with the Septuagint and Vulgate reads, (It is not fit to accuse of injustice Him) who says to a king, Thou art wicked; to princes, Ye are ungodly; that is, who punishes impartially the great, as the small. This accords with Job 34:19.
19. (Ac 10:34; 2Ch 19:7; Pr 22:2; Job 31:15).
20. they—"the rich" and "princes" who offend God.
the people—namely, of the guilty princes: guilty also themselves.
at midnight—image from a night attack of an enemy on a camp, which becomes an easy prey (Ex 12:29, 30).
without hand—without visible agency, by the mere word of God (so Job 20:26; Zec 4:6; Da 2:34).
21. God's omniscience and omnipotence enable Him to execute immediate justice. He needs not to be long on the "watch," as Job thought (Job 7:12; 2Ch 16:9; Jer 32:19).
22. shadow of death—thick darkness (Am 9:2, 3; Ps 139:12).
23. (1Co 10:13; La 3:32; Isa 27:8). Better, as Umbreit, "He does not (needs not to) regard (as in Job 34:14; Isa 41:20) man long (so Hebrew, Ge 46:29) in order that he may go (be brought by God) into judgment." Literally, "lest his (attention) upon men" (Job 11:10, 11). So Job 34:24, "without number" ought to be translated, "without [needing any] searching out," such as has to be made in human judgments.
24. break in pieces—(Ps 2:9; Job 12:18; Da 2:21).
25. Therefore—because He knows all things (Job 34:21). He knows their works, without a formal investigation (Job 34:24).
in the night—suddenly, unexpectedly (Job 34:20). Fitly in the night, as it was in it that the godless hid themselves (Job 34:22). Umbreit, less simply, for "overturneth," translates, "walketh"; that is, God is ever on the alert, discovering all wickedness.
26. He striketh them—chasteneth.
as—that is, because they are wicked.
sight of others—Sinners hid themselves in darkness; therefore they are punished before all, in open day. Image from the place of public execution (Job 40:12; Ex 14:30; 2Sa 12:12).
27, 28. The grounds of their punishment in Job 34:26. Job 34:28 states in what respect they "considered not God's ways," namely, by oppression, whereby "they caused the cry," &c.
29. (Pr 16:7; Isa 26:3).
make trouble—rather, "condemn" (Ro 8:33, 34). Maurer, from the reference being only to the godless, in the next clause, and Job 34:20 translates, "When God keeps quiet" (leaves men to perish) Ps 83:1; [Umbreit] from the Arabic (strikes to the earth), "who shall condemn Him as unjust?" Job 34:17.
hideth … face—(Job 23:8, 9; Ps 13:1).
it be done—Whether it be against a guilty nation (2Ki 18:9-12) or an individual, that God acts so.
30. Ensnared—into sin (1Ki 12:28, 30). Or rather, "enthralled by further oppression," Job 34:26-28.
31. Job accordingly says so (Job 40:3-5; Mic 7:9; Le 26:41). It was to lead him to this that Elihu was sent. Though no hypocrite, Job, like all, had sin; therefore through affliction he was to be brought to humble himself under God. All sorrow is a proof of the common heritage of sin, in which the godly shares; and therefore he ought to regard it as a merciful correction. Umbreit and Maurer lose this by translating, as the Hebrew will bear, "Has any a right to say to God, I have borne chastisement and yet have not sinned?" (so Job 34:6).
borne—namely, the penalty of sin, as in Le 5:1, 17.
offend—literally, "to deal destructively or corruptly" (Ne 1:7).
32. (Job 10:2; Ps 32:8; 19:12; 139:23, 24).
no more—(Pr 28:13; Eph 4:22).
33. Rather, "should God recompense (sinners) according to thy mind? Then it is for thee to reject and to choose, and not me" [Umbreit]; or as Maurer, "For thou hast rejected God's way of recompensing; state therefore thy way, for thou must choose, not I," that is, it is thy part, not mine, to show a better way than God's.
34, 35. Rather, "men … will say to me, and the wise man (Job 34:2, 10) who hearkens to me (will say), 'Job hath spoken,'" &c.
36. Margin, not so well, "My father," Elihu addressing God. This title does not elsewhere occur in Job.
tried—by calamities.
answers for wicked men—(See on Job 34:8). Trials of the godly are not removed until they produce the effect designed.
37. clappeth … hands—in scorn (Job 27:23; Eze 21:17).
multiplieth … words—(Job 11:2; 35:16). To his original "sin" to correct which trials have been sent, "he adds rebellion," that is, words arraigning God's justice.