24 Remember H2142 that thou magnify H7679 his work, H6467 which men H582 behold. H7891
The works H4639 of the LORD H3068 are great, H1419 sought out H1875 of all them that have pleasure H2656 therein. His work H6467 is honourable H1935 and glorious: H1926 and his righteousness H6666 endureth H5975 for ever. H5703 He hath made H6213 his wonderful works H6381 to be remembered: H2143 the LORD H3068 is gracious H2587 and full of compassion. H7349
All thy works H4639 shall praise H3034 thee, O LORD; H3068 and thy saints H2623 shall bless H1288 thee. They shall speak H559 of the glory H3519 of thy kingdom, H4438 and talk H1696 of thy power; H1369 To make known H3045 to the sons H1121 of men H120 his mighty acts, H1369 and the glorious H3519 majesty H1926 of his kingdom. H4438
Among the gods H430 there is none like unto thee, O Lord; H136 neither are there any works like unto thy works. H4639 All nations H1471 whom thou hast made H6213 shall come H935 and worship H7812 before H6440 thee, O Lord; H136 and shall glorify H3513 thy name. H8034 For thou art great, H1419 and doest H6213 wondrous things: H6381 thou art God H430 alone.
[[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm H4210 of David.]] H1732 The heavens H8064 declare H5608 the glory H3519 of God; H410 and the firmament H7549 sheweth his H5046 handywork. H4639 H3027 Day H3117 unto day H3117 uttereth H5042 speech, H562 and night H3915 unto night H3915 sheweth H2331 knowledge. H1847 There is no speech H562 nor language, H1697 where their voice H6963 is not heard. H8085 Their line H6957 is gone out H3318 through all the earth, H776 and their words H4405 to the end H7097 of the world. H8398 In them hath he set H7760 a tabernacle H168 for the sun, H8121
Dead H7496 things are formed H2342 from under the waters, H4325 and the inhabitants H7931 thereof. Hell H7585 is naked H6174 before him, and destruction H11 hath no covering. H3682 He stretcheth out H5186 the north H6828 over the empty place, H8414 and hangeth H8518 the earth H776 upon nothing. H1099 He bindeth up H6887 the waters H4325 in his thick clouds; H5645 and the cloud H6051 is not rent H1234 under them. He holdeth back H270 the face H6440 of his throne, H3678 and spreadeth H6576 his cloud H6051 upon it. He hath compassed H2328 the waters H6440 H4325 with bounds, H2706 until the day H216 and night H2822 come to an end. H8503 The pillars H5982 of heaven H8064 tremble H7322 and are astonished H8539 at his reproof. H1606 He divideth H7280 the sea H3220 with his power, H3581 and by his understanding H8394 H8394 he smiteth H4272 through the proud. H7293 By his spirit H7307 he hath garnished H8235 the heavens; H8064 his hand H3027 hath formed H2342 the crooked H1281 serpent. H5175 Lo, these are parts H7098 of his ways: H1870 but how little H8102 a portion H1697 is heard H8085 of him? but the thunder H7482 of his power H1369 who can understand? H995
With him is wisdom H2451 and strength, H1369 he hath counsel H6098 and understanding. H8394 Behold, he breaketh down, H2040 and it cannot be built again: H1129 he shutteth up H5462 a man, H376 and there can be no opening. H6605 Behold, he withholdeth H6113 the waters, H4325 and they dry up: H3001 also he sendeth them out, H7971 and they overturn H2015 the earth. H776 With him is strength H5797 and wisdom: H8454 the deceived H7683 and the deceiver H7686 are his. He leadeth H3212 counsellors H3289 away spoiled, H7758 and maketh the judges H8199 fools. H1984 He looseth H6605 the bond H4148 of kings, H4428 and girdeth H631 their loins H4975 with a girdle. H232 He leadeth H3212 princes H3548 away spoiled, H7758 and overthroweth H5557 the mighty. H386 He removeth away H5493 the speech H8193 of the trusty, H539 and taketh away H3947 the understanding H2940 of the aged. H2205 He poureth H8210 contempt H937 upon princes, H5081 and weakeneth H7503 the strength H4206 of the mighty. H650 He discovereth H1540 deep things H6013 out of darkness, H2822 and bringeth out H3318 to light H216 the shadow of death. H6757 He increaseth H7679 the nations, H1471 and destroyeth H6 them: he enlargeth H7849 the nations, H1471 and straiteneth H5148 them again. He taketh away H5493 the heart H3820 of the chief H7218 of the people H5971 of the earth, H776 and causeth them to wander H8582 in a wilderness H8414 where there is no way. H1870 They grope H4959 in the dark H2822 without light, H216 and he maketh them to stagger H8582 like a drunken H7910 man.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Job 36
Commentary on Job 36 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 36
Job 36:1-33.
1, 2. Elihu maintains that afflictions are to the godly disciplinary, in order to lead them to attain a higher moral worth, and that the reason for their continuance is not, as the friends asserted, on account of the sufferer's extraordinary guilt, but because the discipline has not yet attained its object, namely, to lend him to humble himself penitently before God (Isa 9:13; Jer 5:3). This is Elihu's fourth speech. He thus exceeds the ternary number of the others. Hence his formula of politeness (Job 36:2). Literally, "Wait yet but a little for me." Bear with me a little farther. I have yet (much, Job 32:18-20). There are Chaldeisms in this verse, agreeably to the view that the scene of the book is near the Euphrates and the Chaldees.
3. from afar—not trite commonplaces, but drawn from God's mighty works.
ascribe righteousness—whereas Job ascribed unrighteousness (Job 34:10, 12). A man, in enquiring into God's ways, should at the outset presume they are all just, be willing to find them so, and expect that the result of investigation will prove them to be so; such a one will never be disappointed [Barnes].
4. I will not "speak wickedly for God," as the friends (Job 13:4, 7, 8)—that is, vindicate God by unsound arguments.
he that is perfect, &c.—Rather, as the parallelism requires, "a man of integrity in sentiments is with thee" (is he with whom thou hast to do). Elihu means himself, as opposed to the dishonest reasonings of the friends (Job 21:34).
5. Rather, "strength of understanding" (heart) the force of the repetition of "mighty"; as "mighty" as God is, none is too low to be "despised" by Him; for His "might" lies especially in "His strength of understanding," whereby He searches out the most minute things, so as to give to each his right. Elihu confirms his exhortation (Job 35:14).
6. right … poor—He espouses the cause of the afflicted.
7. (1Pe 3:12). God does not forsake the godly, as Job implied, but "establishes," or makes them sit on the throne as kings (1Sa 2:8; Ps 113:7, 8). True of believers in the highest sense, already in part (1Pe 2:9; Re 1:6); hereafter fully (Re 5:10; Job 22:5).
and they are—that they may be.
8-10. If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain, or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby "disciplining them," and "showing them their sins," and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue.
9. work—transgression.
that … exceeded—"In that they behaved themselves mightily" (literally, "great"); that is, presumptuously, or, at least, self-confidently.
10. (Job 33:16-18, 23).
11. serve—that is, worship; as in Isa 19:23. God is to be supplied (compare Isa 1:19, 20).
12. (Job 33:18).
without knowledge—that is, on account of their foolishness (Job 4:20, 21).
13-15. Same sentiment as Job 36:11, 12, expanded.
hypocrites—or, the ungodly [Maurer]; but "hypocrites" is perhaps a distinct class from the openly wicked (Job 36:12).
heap up wrath—of God against themselves (Ro 2:5). Umbreit translates, "nourish their wrath against God," instead of "crying" unto Him. This suits well the parallelism and the Hebrew. But the English Version gives a good parallelism, "hypocrites" answering to "cry not" (Job 27:8, 10); "heap up wrath" against themselves, to "He bindeth them" with fetters of affliction (Job 36:8).
14. Rather (De 23:17), Their life is (ended) as that of (literally, "among") the unclean, prematurely and dishonorably. So the second clause answers to the first. A warning that Job make not common cause with the wicked (Job 34:36).
15. poor—the afflicted pious.
openeth … ears—(Job 36:10); so as to be admonished in their straits ("oppression") to seek God penitently, and so be "delivered" (Job 33:16, 17, 23-27).
16. Rather, "He will lead forth thee also out of the jaws of a strait" (Ps 18:19; 118:5).
broad place—expresses the liberty, and the well-supplied "table" the abundance of the prosperous (Ps 23:5; Isa 25:6).
17. Rather, "But if thou art fulfilled (that is, entirely filled) with the judgment of the wicked (that is, the guilt incurring judgment" [Maurer]; or rather, as Umbreit, referring to Job 34:5-7, 36, the judgment pronounced on God by the guilty in misfortunes), judgment (God's judgment on the wicked, Jer 51:9, playing on the double meaning of "judgment") and justice shall closely follow each other [Umbreit].
18. (Nu 16:45; Ps 49:6, 7; Mt 16:26). Even the "ransom" by Jesus Christ (Job 33:24) will be of no avail to wilful despisers (Heb 10:26-29).
with his stroke—(Job 34:26). Umbreit translates, "Beware lest the wrath of God (thy severe calamity) lead thee to scorn" (Job 34:7; 27:23). This accords better with the verb in the parallel clause, which ought to be translated, "Let not the great ransom (of money, which thou canst give) seduce thee (Margin, turn thee aside, as if thou couldst deliver thyself from "wrath" by it). As the "scorn" in the first clause answers to the "judgment of the wicked" (Job 36:17), so "ransom" ("seduce") to "will he esteem riches" (Job 36:19). Thus, Job 36:18 is the transition between Job 36:17 and Job 36:19.
19. forces of strength—that is, resources of wealth (Ps 49:7; Pr 11:4).
20. Desire—pant for. Job had wished for death (Job 3:3-9, &c.).
night—(Joh 9:4).
when—rather, "whereby."
cut off—literally, "ascend," as the corn cut and lifted upon the wagon or stack (Job 36:26); so "cut off," "disappear."
in their place—literally, "under themselves"; so, without moving from their place, on the spot, suddenly (Job 40:12) [Maurer]. Umbreit's translation: "To ascend (which is really, as thou wilt find to thy cost, to descend) to the people below" (literally, "under themselves"), answers better to the parallelism and the Hebrew. Thou pantest for death as desirable, but it is a "night" or region of darkness; thy fancied ascent (amelioration) will prove a descent (deterioration) (Job 10:22); therefore desire it not.
21. regard—literally, "turn thyself to."
iniquity—namely, presumptuous speaking against God (Job 34:5, and above, see on Job 36:17, 18).
rather than—to bear "affliction" with pious patience. Men think it an alleviation to complain against God, but this is adding sin to sorrow; it is sin, not sorrow, which can really hurt us (contrast Heb 11:25).
22-25. God is not to be impiously arraigned, but to be praised for His might, shown in His works.
exalteth—rather, doeth lofty things, shows His exalted power [Umbreit] (Ps 21:13).
teacheth—(Ps 94:12, &c.). The connection is, returning to Job 36:5, God's "might" is shown in His "wisdom"; He alone can teach; yet, because He, as a sovereign, explains not all His dealings, forsooth Job must presume to teach Him (Isa 40:13, 14; Ro 11:34; 1Co 2:16). So the transition to Job 36:23 is natural. Umbreit with the Septuagint translates, "Who is Lord," wrongly, as this meaning belongs to later Hebrew.
23. Job dared to prescribe to God what He should do (Job 34:10, 13).
24. Instead of arraigning, let it be thy fixed principle to magnify God in His works (Ps 111:2-8; Re 15:3); these, which all may "see," may convince us that what we do not see is altogether wise and good (Ro 1:20).
behold—As "see" (Job 36:25), shows; not, as Maurer, "sing," laud (see on Job 33:27).
25. See—namely, with wondering admiration [Maurer].
man may behold—rather, "(yet) mortals (a different Hebrew word from 'man') behold it (only) from afar off," see but a small "part" (Job 26:14).
26. (Job 37:13). God's greatness in heaven and earth: a reason why Job should bow under His afflicting hand.
know him not—only in part (Job 36:25; 1Co 13:12).
his years—(Ps 90:2; 102:24, 27); applied to Jesus Christ (Heb 1:12).
27, 28. The marvellous formation of rain (so Job 5:9, 10).
maketh small—Rather, "He draweth (up) to Him, He attracts (from the earth below) the drops of water; they (the drops of water) pour down rain, (which is) His vapor." "Vapor" is in apposition with "rain," marking the way in which rain is formed; namely, from the vapor drawn up by God into the air and then condensed into drops, which fall (Ps 147:8). The suspension of such a mass of water, and its descent not in a deluge, but in drops of vapory rain, are the marvel. The selection of this particular illustration of God's greatness forms a fit prelude to the storm in which God appears (Job 40:1).
28. abundantly—literally, "upon many men."
29. (Job 37:5). God's marvels in thunder and lightnings.
spreadings, &c.—the canopy of thick clouds, which covers the heavens in a storm (Ps 105:39).
the noise—"crashing"; namely, thunder.
of his tabernacle—God being poetically said to have His pavilion amid dark clouds (Ps 18:11; Isa 40:22).
30. light—lightning.
it—His tabernacle (Job 36:29). The light, in an instant spread over the vast mass of dark clouds, forms a striking picture.
spread—is repeated from Job 36:29 to form an antithesis. "He spreads not only clouds, but light."
covereth the bottom—roots.
of the sea—namely, with the light. In the storm the depths of ocean are laid bare; and the light "covers" them, at the same moment that it "spreads" across the dark sky. So in Ps 18:14, 15, the discovering of "the channels of waters" follows the "lightnings." Umbreit translates: "He spreadeth His light upon Himself, and covereth Himself with the roots of the sea" (Ps 104:2). God's garment is woven of celestial light and of the watery depths, raised to the sky to form His cloudy canopy. The phrase, "cover Himself with the roots of the sea," is harsh; but the image is grand.
31. These (rain and lightnings) are marvellous and not to be understood (Job 36:29), yet necessary. "For by them He judgeth (chastiseth on the one hand), &c. (and on the other, by them) He giveth meat" (food), &c. (Job 37:13; 38:23, 27; Ac 14:17).
32. Rather, "He covereth (both) His hands with light (lightning, Job 37:3, Margin), and giveth it a command against his adversary" (literally, the one "assailing" Him, Ps 8:2; 139:20; Job 21:19). Thus, as in Job 36:31, the twofold effects of His waters are set forth, so here, of His light; in the one hand, destructive lightning against the wicked; in the other, the genial light for good to His friends, &c. (Job 36:33) [Umbreit].
33. noise—rather, He revealeth it (literally, "announceth concerning it") to His friend (antithesis to adversary, Job 36:32, so the Hebrew is translated, Job 2:11); also to cattle and plants (literally, "that which shooteth up"; Ge 40:10; 41:22). As the genial effect of "water" in the growth of food, is mentioned, Job 36:31, so here that of "light" in cherishing cattle and plants [Umbreit]. If English Version, "noise" be retained, translate, "His noise (thunder) announces concerning Him (His coming in the tempest), the cattle (to announce) concerning Him when He is in the act of rising up" (in the storm). Some animals give various intimations that they are sensible of the approach of a storm [Virgil, Georgics, I.373, &c.].