Job 34

Elihu desiring be heard, 1. Etc. Chargeth Job, that he justified himself too much, 5. And held the fear of God unprofitable, 9. He sheweth that God almighty cannot be unrighteous, 10. But that his righteousness appeareth in all his work, 19. Exhorteth Job, to humble him before the LORD, 31. Entreateth God to fit him for it, 36.

1. Further answereth Elihu, [i.e. he began to speak again, or to make a new speech. See Judges 18.on verse 14. Or, Went on in answering] and said:

2. Hear ye wise, my words; and yet understanding ones, incline the ears to me.

3. For the ear trieth the words; [i.e. doth hear them, and convey them to the understanding, there to be judged, of what condition they are] like as the Palate doth taste the meat. [Heb. And the palate, etc. See above chap.5.on verse 7. The taste is ascribed to the palate or roof of the mouth. So above 12.11. Prov.24.13.]

4. Let us choose for us that which is right: [Heb. The judgement, or right, i.e. the truth and equity, which we ought to seek for, in all controversy, rejecting all that is false and wrongful; Thus the Hebrew word is oft times taken. See Deut.32.4. Job 32:9. Psa.37.30. Prov.2.8. Isa.59.8. Mich.3.8, &c.] let us know among us, what is good:

5. For Job hath said, I am righteous: [See above 13.18. and 23.10. and 27.2,6. And 31.1. etc. Where Job averetth not, that he was altogether without sin, for he confesseth the contrary, above 14.4. but only, that he was no wicked wretch, nor hypocrite, as his friends took him to be, and that he had not only a civil righteousness, but likewise that of a good conscience is alledged against Job by his own words, as we find them above chap.27.2. Yet Job understood them so only; that God took no notice of his cause; but Elihu, that God dealt unjustly with him. Nevertheless Elihu had reason to find fault with Job, for standing so much upon his innocence, that he seemed to blame or lay asperasion to the righteousness of God.]

6. I must lie in my right: [i.e. maintaining my cause, I am accounted a liar, this Elihu likewise allegeth as spoken by Job. Compare above 19.7. Otherw. Should I ly in my right?] mine arrow is painful [viz. The arrow of my suffering, and of this my visitation, wherewith God hath hit and pierced me. See above 6.4. Compare Deut.32.23.] without transgression, [i.e. without any deserving guilt of mine.]

7. What man is there like Job? [viz. That will be so wise and able as Job, and yet brings forth such absurd reasoning, as Elihu counted Jobs to be.] he drinketh in scoffing as water? [See the same comparison, above 15.16. and the annot.]

8. And passeth along in company with the workers of unrighteousness: [He would say, that Job by such exorbitant speechs made himself like unto evil and wicked men, and had communion with them by his evil speaking.] and walketh with wicked men. [Heb. Men of wickedness, See above 11.on v.11.]

9. For he [Job namely] hath said; it doth not profit a man [though Job had not said so in express terms, yet Elihu inferreth it out of his speechs. Chap.9.22. and 21.8. and 30.36. etc. But Jobs meaning was not such, although the extremity of his pains and sufferings made him sometimes to prosecute his matter with too much eagerness and unadvisedness.] when he taketh pleasure in God, [i.e. when he taketh delight to serve and obey God. Oth. When he taketh pleasure (to walk) with God, the insertion (to walk) being inserted out of Gen.5.22.]

10. Therefore ye men of understanding, [Heb. Men of the heart, i.e. of understanding. So below v.34. See above 9.on v.4.] hearken to me; far be God from wickedness: [Heb. Be is for to God from, &c.] and the Almighty from wrong.

11. For (according) to the work of man, he doth requite him: [viz. Either with reward by grace, if the work be good; or with punishment according to desert, if the work be evil.] and according to every ones way, [i.e. according to his thoughts, endeavours, words and actions, thus Ezekiel likewise speaketh, chap.7.27. and 33.10.] he doth find it him, [viz. That it must go with or happen unto him according to Gods judgement, according and because of his works.]

12. Also indeed, God dealeth not wickedly: [Oth. Doth not condemn (the innocent). The sike insertion is likewise, Exod.34.7.] and the Almighty doth not pervert the right.

13. Who hath appointed him over the earth? [Heb. Appointed, or commanded upon him, i.e. given the same. The meaning is, that none hath appointed him, but he hath all the power, by and of himself Elihu proveth that God can wrong none, because he is the sole Creator, Upholder and Governor of all things; being so righteous and holy by nature, that he can do no evil, and so transcendent in Glory and Majesty, that he is not bound to give account to any, of his doings.] who hath disposed the whole world?

14. If he should set his heart against him, [viz. Against man. See above v.11. i.e. if he should very accurately mark him, and proceed with him according to the rigour f justice.] he should gather unto himself his spirit and his breath: [i.e. he might well the take his souls away from him by death, and so make an utter end with him in this life. Compare Psalms 26:9. and the annot.]

15. All flesh, [i.e. all men. See Gen.6.on v.12.] should give (up) the spirit together: and man, [i.e. the body of man. Compare Gen.3.10. Eccles.12.7.] should return again to dust.

16. If then there be understanding (with thee) [viz. O Job] hear this: encline the ears to the voice of my words.

17. Would he also, that hateth the right, bind (the wounded?) [His meaning is, that such a one would not do it; or, that it could not be. To bind the wounded, is or implyeth to be gracious again and to do good to him that being punished for his sins, is brought to repentance and conversion; which course is not practised by one that hateth the right. Compare above 5.18. Others render the Hebrew word Chabash, to rule, to govern, and so it is taken by some, Isa.3.7. For the Governors have power to coerce and force men, and to put them in bonds: and then the sense is, that he that governeth the whole world, can not be unjust.] And shouldest thou condemn the most righteous? [Heb. Righteous mighty, or powerful, i.e. that is most, or most exactly righteous.]

18. Should one say to a King, thou Belial; [i.e. If one may not say so to a King or Prince, how much less ought any to speak so of God? [Oth. Shouldest thou condemn (God, namely) if he said to a King, thou viltin, etc. The word condemn being inserted here again out of v.17. Of the word Belial. See Deut.13.on v.13.] To the Prince ye wicked (ones.)?

19. (How then to him) [God namely] that doth not accept the face of Princes. [See of this kind of speaking, accept the face of Princes. [See of this kind of speaking, Lev.19.on v.15.] and knoweth not the rich before the poor? For they are all the work of his hands.

20. In a moment the die, [viz. Both rich and poor, noble and mean, strong and feeble, and that whensoever God is pleased, by his power, which none is able to withstand, and according to his righteousness, which none can speak against or control.] even at midnight, [i.e. most unexpectedly, when they think themselves most sure and safe. See Exod.12.29. 2 Kings 19:35.] a Nation is shaken, [i.e. whole Nations together are, by Gods power, and justly also carried and hurried away out of their own countries and welfare.] that it passeth by, [i.e. perisheth] and the mighty is taken away: [Heb. They take away the strong; they, viz. The Angels or Ministers and instrument of God. See above chap.4.on v.18.] without hand [without any human hand, and consequently by the power of God.]

21. For his eyes are upon every ones ways, [i.e. works See Gen.6.on v.12.] and he seeth all his steps.

22. There is no darkness. [Compare above 26.6.] and there is no shadow of death? [See above chap.12.on v.22.] that the works of iniquity might hide themselves there.

23. Certainly he [God namely] doth not lay too much upon man; [viz. Too much punishment; above the desert his sins.] that he should be able to enter into judgement against God, [i.e. that man should have cause or appeal to judgement from him, or go to law with him, as Job had done. See above 13.3. and 16.21. and 23.3.4.]

24. He bruiseth the mighty ones, that one can not search it out; [Heb. Without searching, i.e. so as none is able to find out and reckon up, how many of these mighty ones he hath brought to nothing, or to dive unto the bottom or grounds and reasons of his judgements against them. Compare above 5.9. and 9.10. and below 36.26.] and putteth others in their place.

25. Therefore (that) he knoweth their works: he subverteth them by night, [i.e. he destroyeth them unawares, and when they think themselves at rest. See above v.20. Oth. He changeth the night, whereby they thought to hide their sins, into day-light, thereby to discover the same before all the world. Or he doth turn the night upon (him) i.e. bringeth, to causeth all manner of misery, mischief and disaster upon him.] and they are bruised.

26. He knocketh them together, [i.e. he straighteneth, distresseth, bangeth and beateth them, viz. By his righteous punishments.] as wicked ones, [or for wicked. Heb. Instead of wicked, such as they are likewise] in a place where are spectators; [Heb. In the place of the seeing, i.e. in an open and public place (as it were on a scaffold) when their punishment may be seen and taken notice of by many, to the end that the beholders may take warning by their example, to amend their lives.]

27. Therefore that they are turned away from behind him [from God namely] and have understood none of his ways: [See Gen.18.on v.19.]

28. That he may bring upon him the cry of the poor, [i.e. upon every one of them, the punishment they deforced to cry unto God.] and hear the cry of the afflicted.

29. When he calmeth, [He sheweth Gods power, accompanied with his grace and righteousness,, in regard that none can cause troubles, where God of his goodness granteth calms; and none can help or save, when Gods wrath is gone out against any] who shall trouble? [i.e. cause or stir up trouble] when he doth hide the face, [viz. From man, i.e. when he withdraweth his grace, his help and blessing from him. See Deut.31.on v.17.] who [viz. Of those against whom Gods wrath is kindled, of whom was spoken in the former verse] shall look then upon him, [viz. Upon God, i.e. who of them shall dare to appear before God, viz. By prayer, to sue for help, or comfort. Compare the manner of speaking with Psa.34.6.] as well for [thus the Hebrew particle is used. Gen.37.8. below v.15. Hos.11.7.] A Nation as for one man done? [So the Hebrew for this Hos.11.7. By this latter part of the verse Elihu sheweth, that what he related of God, was true, not onely in regard of this or that particular man, but also for whole nations in general, whom he is able to grant rest unto, or hide his face from, at pleasure.]

30. That the hypocritical man may rule no (more); [Of the hypocrite. See above chap.8.on v.13. he sheweth that God doth hide his face, not only before the common sort, but also before the great ones, the Commanders and Governors of the rest.] and there be no snares of the people [i.e. no burden, violence and tyranny, whereby to aggrieve the same. Oth. Because of the snares of the people, viz. Whereby the he should oppress them.]

31. Surely, hath he said to God? [He, viz. Job, for Elihu doth turn to him again, to exhort him to his duty, how to speak of and unto God, instead of complaining of, or finding fault with his judgements, as he had laid to his charge, above v.5. to have done.] I have born (thy punishment), I shall not corrupt it, [i.e. in this my cause, and my whole life, shall I do nothing, neither in words nor indeeds, but what is right and fit to be done. Or, I shall not spoil the (matter; i.e. this case of mine with God, viz. With too much pleading of mine innocency, as I have done. Or, I shall not corrupt thy Laws, viz. By transgression them. Oth. Have I taken away, I shall take no pawn; as if he said, if I have taken pawn, I shall do it no more. Compare above 22.6.]

32. Besides (what) I see, [viz. Concerning my sins.] teach thou me: [viz. What sins of mine are yet unknown to me, i.e. discover and make known unto me my secret failings. Compare Psa.19.13.] if I have wrought iniquity, I shall do it no more [viz. To trespass thus.]

33. Shall it be of thee, [i.e. Shall it be at thy disposing, according as thou conceives and thinkest good, that God shall punish the evil, or reward the good. Shall he be bound to ask thy council, and to learn of thee how to administer his punishments or benefits? Elihu directeth his speech to Job.] how he [God namely] shall requite ought, because thou despises him? [viz. God in matter of his Government, whereby he doth recompence good and evil works] shouldest thou then choose, and not I? [these are the words of God, which Elihu produceth here in his behalf. The meaning is, shouldest thou then, O Job, and not my self prescribe the way and manner unto me, how to punish, and how to bless such and such?] what knowest thou then, speak. [Here Elihu speaketh again in his own person to Job, as if he said, what hast thou say or allege against this, speak out, answer. Yet some construe and read this verse thus shall he require that which is from thee, because thou despises (the chastisement) if thou shouldest choose it, yet should not I do it.]

34. The men of understanding [Heb. The men of the heart, heart for understanding. So above v.10.] shall say with me, [the Heb. Letter lamed, doth signify sometimes, with, as Gen.46.26. Exod.34.12. Num.18.11.] and a wise man shall hearken to me: [i.e. approve of this, or justify me in this behalf.]

35. (That) Job hath not spoken with knowledge, and his words have not been with prudent understanding.

36. My Father, [viz. That art in heaven, i.e. O my God, Oth. My desire is that Job be tried.] let Job be tried, [viz. By crosses and adversity. See Gen.22.on v.1.] unto the end, i.e. to the finishing of the work of his visitation, viz. When his piety shall fully appear by an upright confession of his sins. Oth. Until the overcoming, i.e. until he shall give God the glory of overcoming him, and give over to speak so evil of him. Or thus, shall Job be tried till to the end? As if he feared, that Job would multiply his sins too much, by his too long and lasting trail.] because of his answers, [i.e. the discourses which he held by way of answers.] among unrighteous men. [Heb. Men of unrighteousness, i.e. as being one of those unrighteous men, of God. Or with the unrighteous men, i.e. being their companions in his practise. Oth. For the unrighteous, viz. Being their advocate and pleader.]

37. For unto his sin, [i.e. his faults committed hitherto, through error and mistake.] he should yet add transgression, [i.e. multiply his sins] he should clap in his hands amongst us: [viz. As if he had overcome us with his disputes. See above 27.on v.23. and Compare 1 Kings 9.on v.8. Some understand it thus; that he would challenge them to dispute, and strike covenant, or surety-ship, for entering in and standing to it. Compare above 17.8.] and he should multiply his speechs against God.