Job 36
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Elihu also proceeded - Mr. Heath gives a good summary of this chapter. Elihu goes on to lay before Job the impropriety of his behavior towards God, and desires him to consider how vain it will prove. That God Almighty will never yield the point; that he will administer impartial justice to all men, Job 36:2-6. That the general course of his providence is to favor the righteous: and that though he may sometimes correct them in love, yet if they submit patiently to his fatherly corrections, they shall enjoy all manner of prosperity; but if they be stubborn, and will not submit, they will only draw down greater proofs of his displeasure, Job 36:7-16. He tells him that, had he followed the former course, he had probably, before now, been restored to his former condition; whereas, by persisting in the latter course, he was in a fair way of becoming a signal example of Divine justice, Job 36:17, Job 36:18. He therefore warns him to use the present opportunity, lest God should cut him off while he was in a state of rebellion against him; for with God neither wealth, power, nor any other argument that he could use, would be of any avail, Job 36:18-26. That God was infinitely powerful; there was no resisting him: and infinitely wise, as sufficiently appeared by his works; there was, therefore, no escaping out of his hands. That his purity was so great that the sun, in his presence, was more dim than the smallest ray of light when compared to that grand luminary; that his holiness was manifest by his aversion to iniquity; and his goodness, in supplying the wants of his creatures.
Open source ↗(Job 36:1-33) 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.
Open source ↗Elihu also proceeded, and said. Or "added" (f) what follows to his former discourses; pausing a while to see whether Job would make any reply to what he had already said; but perceiving he had no inclination to do it, and having more upon his mind to deliver, went on with his discourse. (f) "et addidit", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Mercerus, Michaelis.
Open source ↗1 Then Elihu continued and said: 2 Suffer me a little, and I will inform thee, For there is something still to be said for Eloah. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And to my Creator will I ascribe right. 4 For truly my words are not lies, One perfect in knowledge stands before thee. Elihu's preceding three speeches were introduced by ויּען; this fourth, in honour of the number three, is introduced only as a continuation of the others. Job is to wait yet a little while, for he still has (= עוד לּי), or: there still are, words in favour of Eloah; i.e., what may be said in vindication of God against Job's complaints and accusations is not yet exhausted. This appears to be the only instance of the Aramaic כּתּר being taken up as Hebr.; whereas הוּה, nunciare (Arab. wḥâ, I, IV), is a poetic Aramaism occurring even in Psa 19:3 (comp. on the construction Job 32:6); and זעיר (a diminutive form, after the manner of the Arab. zu‛air) belongs in Isa 28:10, Isa 28:13 to the popular language (of Jerusalem), but is here used poetically. The verb נשׂא, Job 36:3, is not to be understood according to נשׂא משׁל, but according to Kg1 10:11; and למרחוק signifies, as also Job 39:29; Isa 37:26, e longinquo, viz., out of the wide realm of history and nature. The expression נתן צדק follows the analogy of (עז) נתן כבוד. דּעה, Job 36:4, interchanges with the דּע which belongs exclusively to Elihu, since Elihu styles himself תּמים דּעות, as Job 37:16 God תּמים דּעים (comp. Sa1 2:3, אל דּעות). תמים in this combination with דעות cannot be intended of purity of character; but as Elihu there attributes absolute perfection of knowledge in every direction to God, so here, in reference to the theodicy which he opposes to Job, he claims faultlessness and clearness of perception.
Open source ↗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), Job 36:2. "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, 1. That he had a good cause, and a noble and very fruitful subject: I have yet to speak on God's behalf. He spoke as an advocate for God, and therefore might justly expect the ear of the court. Some indeed pretend to speak on God's behalf who really speak for themselves; but those who sincerely appear in the cause of God, and speak in behalf of his honour, his truths, his ways, his people, shall be sure neither to want instructions (it shall be given them in that same hour what they shall speak) nor to lose their cause or their fee. Nor need they fear lest they should exhaust their subject. Those that have spoken ever so much may yet find more to be spoken on God's behalf. 2. That he had something to offer that was uncommon, and out of the road of vulgar observation: I will fetch my knowledge from afar (Job 36:3), that is, "we will have recourse to our first principles and the highest notions we can make use of to serve any purpose." It is worth while to go far for this knowledge of God, to dig for it, to travel for it; it will recompense our pains, and, though far-fetched, is not dear-bought. 3. That his design was undeniably honest; for all he aimed at was to ascribe righteousness to his Maker, to maintain and clear this truth, that God is righteous in all his ways. In speaking of God, and speaking for him, it is good to remember that he is our Maker, to call him so, and therefore to be ready to do him…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אֱלִיהוּ (ʼĔlîyhûw, H453) — Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗כָּתַר (kâthar, H3803) — to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to… זְעֵיר (zᵉʻêyr, H2191) — small חָוָה (châvâh, H2331) — properly, to live; by implication (intensively) to declare or show מִלָּה (millâh, H4405) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic אֱלוֹהַּ (ʼĕlôwahh, H433) — a deity or the Deity
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative דֵּעַ (dêaʻ, H1843) — knowledge רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
Open source ↗אׇמְנָם (ʼomnâm, H551) — verily מִלָּה (millâh, H4405) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth דֵּעָה (dêʻâh, H1844) — knowledge
Open source ↗אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) כַּבִּיר (kabbîyr, H3524) — vast, whether in extent (figuratively, of power, mighty; of time, aged), or in number,… מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances
Open source ↗גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נֶצַח (netsach, H5331) — properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at adistance travelled towards; hence… גָּבַהּ (gâbahh, H1361) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
Open source ↗אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle זִיקָה (zîyqâh, H2131) — properly, what leaps forth, i.e. flash of fire, or a burning arrow; also (from the… לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) גָּבַר (gâbar, H1396) — to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
Open source ↗גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) נָעִים (nâʻîym, H5273) — delightful (objective or subjective, literal or figurative)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… שֶׁלַח (shelach, H7973) — a missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth; i.e. branch גָּוַע (gâvaʻ, H1478) — to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge
Open source ↗חָנֵף (chânêph, H2611) — soiled (i.e. with sin), impious לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… שָׁוַע (shâvaʻ, H7768) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help,… אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill נֹעַר (nôʻar, H5290) — (abstractly) boyhood חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… קָדֵשׁ (qâdêsh, H6945) — a (quasi) sacred person, i.e. (technically) a (male) devotee (by prostitution) to…
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