1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
1 Elihu H453 also proceeded, H3254 and said, H559
2 Suffer H3803 me a little, H2191 and I will shew H2331 thee that I have yet to speak H4405 on God's H433 behalf.
3 I will fetch H5375 my knowledge H1843 from afar, H7350 and will ascribe H5414 righteousness H6664 to my Maker. H6466
4 For truly H551 my words H4405 shall not be false: H8267 he that is perfect H8549 in knowledge H1844 is with thee.
5 Behold, God H410 is mighty, H3524 and despiseth H3988 not any: he is mighty H3524 in strength H3581 and wisdom. H3820
6 He preserveth not the life H2421 of the wicked: H7563 but giveth H5414 right H4941 to the poor. H6041
7 He withdraweth H1639 not his eyes H5869 from the righteous: H6662 but with kings H4428 are they on the throne; H3678 yea, he doth establish H3427 them for ever, H5331 and they are exalted. H1361
8 And if they be bound H631 in fetters, H2131 and be holden H3920 in cords H2256 of affliction; H6040
9 Then he sheweth H5046 them their work, H6467 and their transgressions H6588 that they have exceeded. H1396
10 He openeth H1540 also their ear H241 to discipline, H4148 and commandeth H559 that they return H7725 from iniquity. H205
11 If they obey H8085 and serve H5647 him, they shall spend H3615 their days H3117 in prosperity, H2896 and their years H8141 in pleasures. H5273
12 But if they obey H8085 not, they shall perish H5674 by the sword, H7973 and they shall die H1478 without knowledge. H1847
13 But the hypocrites H2611 in heart H3820 heap up H7760 wrath: H639 they cry H7768 not when he bindeth H631 them.
14 They H5315 die H4191 in youth, H5290 and their life H2416 is among the unclean. H6945
15 He delivereth H2502 the poor H6041 in his affliction, H6040 and openeth H1540 their ears H241 in oppression. H3906
16 Even so would he have removed H5496 thee out of the strait H6310 H6862 into a broad place, H7338 where H8478 there is no straitness; H4164 and that which should be set H5183 on thy table H7979 should be full H4390 of fatness. H1880
17 But thou hast fulfilled H4390 the judgment H1779 of the wicked: H7563 judgment H1779 and justice H4941 take hold H8551 on thee.
18 Because there is wrath, H2534 beware lest he take thee away H5496 with his stroke: H5607 then a great H7230 ransom H3724 cannot deliver H5186 thee.
19 Will he esteem H6186 thy riches? H7769 no, not gold, H1222 nor all the forces H3981 of strength. H3581
20 Desire H7602 not the night, H3915 when people H5971 are cut off H5927 in their place.
21 Take heed, H8104 regard H6437 not iniquity: H205 for this hast thou chosen H977 rather than affliction. H6040
22 Behold, God H410 exalteth H7682 by his power: H3581 who teacheth H3384 like him?
23 Who hath enjoined H6485 him his way? H1870 or who can say, H559 Thou hast wrought H6466 iniquity? H5766
24 Remember H2142 that thou magnify H7679 his work, H6467 which men H582 behold. H7891
25 Every man H120 may see H2372 it; man H582 may behold H5027 it afar off. H7350
26 Behold, God H410 is great, H7689 and we know H3045 him not, neither can the number H4557 of his years H8141 be searched out. H2714
27 For he maketh small H1639 the drops H5198 of water: H4325 they pour down H2212 rain H4306 according to the vapour H108 thereof:
28 Which the clouds H7834 do drop H5140 and distil H7491 upon man H120 abundantly. H7227
29 Also can any understand H995 the spreadings H4666 of the clouds, H5645 or the noise H8663 of his tabernacle? H5521
30 Behold, he spreadeth H6566 his light H216 upon it, and covereth H3680 the bottom H8328 of the sea. H3220
31 For by them judgeth H1777 he the people; H5971 he giveth H5414 meat H400 in abundance. H4342
32 With clouds H3709 he covereth H3680 the light; H216 and commandeth H6680 it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. H6293
33 The noise H7452 thereof sheweth H5046 concerning it, the cattle H4735 also concerning the vapour. H5927
1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked, But giveth to the afflicted `their' right.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.
8 And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of afflictions;
9 Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10 He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they hearken and serve `him', They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
12 But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.
13 But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.
14 They die in youth, And their life `perisheth' among the unclean.
15 He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression.
16 Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness.
17 But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold `on thee'.
18 For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.
19 Will thy cry avail, `that thou be' not in distress, Or all the forces of `thy' strength?
20 Desire not the night, When peoples are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?
23 Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.
25 All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off.
26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.
27 For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor,
28 Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly.
29 Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.
31 For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance.
32 He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.
33 The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning `the storm' that cometh up.
1 And Elihu addeth and saith: --
2 Honour me a little, and I shew thee, That yet for God `are' words.
3 I lift up my knowledge from afar, And to my Maker I ascribe righteousness.
4 For, truly, my words `are' not false, The perfect in knowledge `is' with thee.
5 Lo, God `is' mighty, and despiseth not, Mighty `in' power `and' heart.
6 He reviveth not the wicked, And the judgment of the poor appointeth;
7 He withdraweth not from the righteous His eyes, And `from' kings on the throne, And causeth them to sit for ever, and they are high,
8 And if prisoners in fetters They are captured with cords of affliction,
9 Then He declareth to them their work, And their transgressions, Because they have become mighty,
10 And He uncovereth their ear for instruction, And saith that they turn back from iniquity.
11 If they do hear and serve, They complete their days in good, And their years in pleasantness.
12 And if they do not hearken, By the dart they pass away, And expire without knowledge.
13 And the profane in heart set the face, They cry not when He hath bound them.
14 Their soul dieth in youth, And their life among the defiled.
15 He draweth out the afflicted in his affliction, And uncovereth in oppression their ear.
16 And also He moved thee from a strait place, `To' a broad place -- no straitness under it, And the sitting beyond of thy table Hath been full of fatness.
17 And the judgment of the wicked thou hast fulfilled, Judgment and justice are upheld -- because of fury,
18 Lest He move thee with a stroke, And the abundance of an atonement turn thee not aside.
19 Doth He value thy riches? He hath gold, and all the forces of power.
20 Desire not the night, For the going up of peoples in their stead.
21 Take heed -- do not turn unto iniquity, For on this thou hast fixed Rather than `on' affliction.
22 Lo, God doth sit on high by His power, Who `is' like Him -- a teacher?
23 Who hath appointed unto Him his way? And who said, `Thou hast done iniquity?'
24 Remember that thou magnify His work That men have beheld.
25 All men have looked on it, Man looketh attentively from afar.
26 Lo, God `is' high, And we know not the number of His years, Yea, there `is' no searching.
27 When He doth diminish droppings of the waters, They refine rain according to its vapour,
28 Which clouds do drop, They distil on man abundantly.
29 Yea, doth `any' understand The spreadings out of a cloud? The noises of His tabernacle?
30 Lo, He hath spread over it His light, And the roots of the sea He hath covered,
31 For by them He doth judge peoples, He giveth food in abundance.
32 By two palms He hath covered the light, And layeth a charge over it in meeting,
33 He sheweth by it `to' his friend substance, Anger against perversity.
1 And Elihu proceeded and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet words for +God.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Creator.
4 For truly my words shall be no falsehood: one perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5 Lo, ùGod is mighty, but despiseth not [any]; mighty in strength of understanding:
6 He saveth not the wicked alive; but he doeth justice to the afflicted.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne doth he even set them for ever; and they are exalted.
8 And if, bound in fetters, they be held in cords of affliction,
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions, because they have increased.
10 And he openeth their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they hearken and serve [him], they shall accomplish their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they hearken not, they shall pass away by the sword, and expire without knowledge.
13 But the godless in heart heap up anger; they cry not when he bindeth them:
14 Their soul dieth in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15 But he delivereth the afflicted in his affliction, and openeth their ear in [their] oppression.
16 Even so would he have allured thee out of the jaws of distress into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and the supply of thy table [would be] full of fatness.
17 But thou art full of the judgments of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold [on thee].
18 Because there is wrath, [beware] lest it take thee away through chastisement: then a great ransom could not avail thee.
19 Will he esteem thy riches? Not gold, nor all the resources of strength!
20 Desire not the night, when peoples are cut off from their place.
21 Take heed, turn not to iniquity; for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Lo, ùGod is exalted in his power: who teacheth as he?
23 Who hath appointed him his way? or who hath said, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men celebrate.
25 All men look at it; man beholdeth [it] afar off.
26 Lo, ùGod is great, and we comprehend [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
27 For he draweth up the drops of water: they distil in rain from the vapour which he formeth,
28 Which the skies pour down [and] drop upon man abundantly.
29 But can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the crashing of his pavilion?
30 Lo, he spreadeth his light around him, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
31 For with them he judgeth the peoples; he giveth food in abundance.
32 [His] hands he covereth with lightning, and commandeth it where it is to strike.
33 His thundering declareth concerning him; the cattle even, concerning its coming.
1 Elihu also continued, and said,
2 "Bear with me a little, and I will show you; For I still have something to say on God's behalf.
3 I will get my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5 "Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, But gives to the afflicted their right.
7 He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne, He sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8 If they are bound in fetters, And are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9 Then he shows them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10 He also opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from iniquity.
11 If they listen and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
12 But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; They shall die without knowledge.
13 "But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them.
14 They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, And opens their ear in oppression.
16 Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, Into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
17 "But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Don't let riches entice you to wrath, Neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress, Or all the might of your strength?
20 Don't desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, don't regard iniquity; For this you have chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
24 "Remember that you magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.
25 All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.
26 Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
27 For he draws up the drops of water, Which distill in rain from his vapor,
28 Which the skies pour down And drop on man abundantly.
29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, And the thunderings of his pavilion?
30 Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31 For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
32 He covers his hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.
33 The noise of it tells about him, And the cattle also concerning the storm that comes up.
1 And Elihu went on to say,
2 Give me a little more time, and I will make it clear to you; for I have still something to say for God.
3 I will get my knowledge from far, and I will give righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words are not false; one who has all knowledge is talking with you.
5 Truly, God gives up the hard-hearted, and will not give life to the sinner.
6 His eyes are ever on the upright, and he gives to the crushed their right;
7 Lifting them up to the seat of kings, and making them safe for ever.
8 And if they have been prisoned in chains, and taken in cords of trouble,
9 Then he makes clear to them what they have done, even their evil works in which they have taken pride.
10 Their ear is open to his teaching, and he gives them orders so that their hearts may be turned from evil.
11 If they give ear to his voice, and do his word, then he gives them long life, and years full of pleasure.
12 But if not, they come to their end, and give up their breath without knowledge.
13 Those who have no fear of God keep wrath stored up in their hearts; they give no cry for help when they are made prisoners.
14 They come to their end while they are still young, their life is short like that of those who are used for sex purposes in the worship of their gods.
15 He makes the wrong done to the poor the way of their salvation, opening their ears by their trouble.
16 ...
17 ...
18 ...
19 ...
20 ...
21 Take care not to be turned to sin, for you have taken evil for your part in place of sorrow.
22 Truly God is lifted up in strength; who is a ruler like him?
23 Who ever gave orders to him, or said to him, You have done wrong?
24 See that you give praise to his work, about which men make songs.
25 All people are looking on it; man sees it from far.
26 Truly, God is great, greater than all our knowledge; the number of his years may not be searched out.
27 For he takes up the drops from the sea; he sends them through his mist as rain,
28 Flowing down from the sky, and dropping on the peoples.
29 And who has knowledge of how the clouds are stretched out, or of the thunders of his tent?
30 See, he is stretching out his mist, covering the tops of the mountains with it.
31 For by these he gives food to the peoples, and bread in full measure.
32 He takes the light in his hands, sending it against the mark.
33 The thunder makes clear his passion, and the storm gives news of his wrath.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 36
Commentary on Job 36 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 36
Elihu, having largely reproved Job for some of his unadvised speeches, which Job had nothing to say in the vindication of, here comes more generally to set him to rights in his notions of God's dealings with him. His other friends had stood to it that, because he was a wicked man, therefore his afflictions were so great and so long. But Elihu only maintained that the affliction was sent for his trial, and that therefore it was lengthened out because Job was not, as yet, thoroughly humbled under it, nor had duly accommodated himself to it. He urges many reasons, taken from the wisdom and righteousness of God, his care of his people, and especially his greatness and almighty power, with which, in this and the following chapter, he persuades him to submit to the hand of God. Here we have,
This he prosecutes and enlarges upon in the following chapter.
Job 36:1-4
Once more Elihu begs the patience of the auditory, and Job's particularly, for he has not said all that he has to say, but he will not detain them long. Stand about me a little (so some read it), v. 2. "Let me have your attendance, your attention, awhile longer, and I will speak but this once, as plainly and as much to the purpose as I can.' To gain this he pleads,
Job 36:5-14
Elihu, being to speak on God's behalf, and particularly to ascribe righteousness to his Maker, here shows that the disposals of divine Providence are all, not only according to the eternal counsels of his will, but according to the eternal rules of equity. God acts as a righteous governor, for,
Job 36:15-23
Elihu here comes more closely to Job; and,
Job 36:24-33
Elihu is here endeavouring to possess Job with great and high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him into a cheerful submission to his providence.