King James Version
Job 36
33 verses with commentary
Elihu's Fourth Speech: God Is Great and Just
Elihu also proceeded, and said,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Elihu also proceeded, and said</strong>—The Hebrew verb וַיֹּ֥סֶף (wayyosef, "proceeded") means to add or continue, indicating Elihu isn't finished despite his lengthy discourse in chapters 32-35. This repetition signals a fourth and final speech, where Elihu shifts from defending God's justice to revealing God's pedagogical purposes in suffering.<br><br>Elihu's persistence contrasts with ...
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XXXVI.
(1) **Elihu also proceeded.**—It is not easy to acquit Elihu of some of the “arrogance” he was so ready to ascribe to Job. He professes very great zeal for God, but it is hard to see that some of his great professions are warranted. For instance, he says—
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. their heart--**The intellect of his friends.
**shalt ... exalt--**Rather imperative, "exalt them not"; allow them not to conquer [Umbreit], (Is 6:9, 10).
Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf. I have: Heb. there are yet words for God
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee</strong>—The verb כַּתַּר (kattar, "suffer/bear with") requests patience, literally meaning "surround" or "wait around." Elihu asks Job to endure one more speech. The phrase <strong>I have yet to speak on God's behalf</strong> uses לֶאֱלוֹהַּ (le'eloah), emphasizing Elihu's role as theodicy's defender—one who vindicates God's justice against Job's c...
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5. The Hebrew for "flattery" is "smoothness"; then it came to mean a prey divided by lot, because a smooth stone was used in casting the lots (De 18:8), "a portion" (Ge 14:24). Therefore translate, "He that delivers up his friend as a prey (which the conduct of my friends implies that they would do), even the eyes," &c. [Noyes] (Job 11:20). Job says this as to the sinner's children, retorting ...
Read full commentary →I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
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KJV Study Commentary
Elihu announces his intention: "I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker." The verb <em>nasa</em> (נָשָׂא, "fetch") means to carry or bear. The phrase "from afar" (<em>l'merachok</em>, לְמֵרָחוֹק) suggests comprehensive scope. The verb <em>natan</em> (נָתַן, "ascribe") means to give or attribute. Elihu claims his knowledge is expansive and his purpose theodic...
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(3) **I will fetch my knowledge from afar.**—But is not this what Bildad had said before him? (Job 8:8, &c.); and yet the teaching of Job 36:6 is not very different from his.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. He--**God. The poet reverentially suppresses the name of God when speaking of calamities inflicted.
**by-word--**(De 28:37; Psa 69:11). My awful punishment makes my name execrated everywhere, as if I must have been superlatively bad to have earned it.
**aforetime ... tabret--**as David was honored (1Sa 18:6). Rather from a different Hebrew root, "I am treated to my face as an object of di...
Read full commentary →For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For truly my words shall not be false</strong>—Elihu guarantees truthfulness using בַל־שֶׁ֣קֶר (bal-sheker), a strong negation meaning "not lies/deception." This oath-like formula claims divine inspiration for his discourse. The phrase <strong>he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee</strong> uses תְּמִ֖ים דֵּעִ֣ים (temim de'im), literally "complete/perfect of knowledge."<br><br>Critic...
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(4) **He that is perfect in knowledge.**—We may presume that he meant God; but in the Authorised Version it looks very much as though he meant himself. (Comp. Job 37:16.) So apparently Vulg., “*perfecta scientia probabitur tibi.”*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. (Psa 6:7; 31:9; De 34:7).
**members--**literally, "figures"; all the individual members being peculiar forms of the body; opposed to "shadow," which looks like a figure without solidity.
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. wisdom: Heb. heart
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KJV Study Commentary
Elihu proclaims: 'Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.' This balances divine power with divine care - God's might doesn't produce contempt for His creatures. The statement contains truth even if Elihu misapplies it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. astonied--**at my unmerited sufferings.
**against the hypocrite--**The upright shall feel their sense of justice wounded ("will be indignant") because of the prosperity of the wicked. By "hypocrite" or "ungodly," he perhaps glances at his false friends.
He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. poor: or, afflicted
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He preserveth not the life of the wicked</strong>—The Hebrew לֹא־יְחַיֶּה (lo-yechayeh, "does not keep alive") states God's active judgment against רָשָׁע (rasha, "the wicked")—those who live in persistent rebellion. This counters Job's complaint that the wicked prosper (21:7-13). <strong>But giveth right to the poor</strong> uses מִשְׁפַּט (mishpat, "justice/right") and עֲנִיִּים (aniyyim...
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9. The strength of religious principle is heightened by misfortune. The pious shall take fresh courage to persevere from the example of suffering Job. The image is from a warrior acquiring new courage in action (Is 40:30, 31; Php 1:14).
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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous</strong>—The phrase לֹא־יִגְרַ֣ע מִצַּדִּ֣יק עֵינָ֑יו (lo-yigra mi-tsaddik einav) literally means "He does not diminish/restrain from the righteous His eyes," depicting God's constant watchful care over צַדִּיק (tsaddiq, "righteous ones"). This divine surveillance is protective, not punitive—God never takes His gaze off those who walk uprightl...
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(7) **From the righteous**—*i.e.*, the righteous man. (Comp. Psalm 113:5-8.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. return--**If you have anything to advance really wise, though I doubt it, recommence your speech. For as yet I cannot find one wise man among you all.
And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction</strong>—The Hebrew uses two images of captivity: זִקִּים (ziqim, "fetters/chains") for physical bondage and חַבְלֵי־עֹנִי (chavlei-oni, "cords of affliction") for suffering's constraining power. The verb יִלָּכְדוּ (yillakedu, "be holden/caught") suggests entrapment, like prey in a hunter's snare (Psalm 124:7).<br><br>E...
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11. Only do not vainly speak of the restoration of health to me; for "my days are past."
**broken off--**as the threads of the web cut off from the loom (Is 38:12).
**thoughts--**literally, "possessions," that is, all the feelings and fair hopes which my heart once nourished. These belong to the heart, as "purposes" to the understanding; the two together here describe the entire inner man.
Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then he sheweth them their work</strong>—God uses affliction to reveal פָּעֳלָם (po'olam, "their work/deeds"), exposing hidden patterns of behavior. <strong>And their transgressions that they have exceeded</strong> employs פֶּשַׁע (pesha, "transgression/rebellion") and הִתְגַּבָּרוּ (hitgabbaru, "they have acted arrogantly/exceeded bounds"). The verb means "to be strong" or "prevail," sugg...
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(9) **Then he sheweth them their work.**—The true nature of their conduct and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. This is Elihu’s special doctrine, that God’s chastisements are by way of discipline, to reform the future rather than to chastise the past.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. They--**namely, "my friends."
**change the night into day--**that is, would try to persuade me of the change of my misery into joy, which is impossible [Umbreit] (Job 11:17); (but) the light of prosperity (could it be enjoyed) would be short because of the darkness of adversity. Or better for "short," the Hebrew "near"; "and the light of new prosperity should be near in the face of (before...
Read full commentary →He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He openeth also their ear to discipline</strong>—The phrase יִגֶל אָזְנָם (yigel oznam, "He opens their ear") depicts making the deaf hear—God removes spiritual deafness that prevents learning. The word מוּסָר (musar, "discipline/instruction") appears 50 times in Proverbs, always denoting corrective teaching that shapes character. God's discipline isn't vindictive punishment but educationa...
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13. Rather, "if I wait for this grave (Sheol, or the unseen world) as my house, and make my bed in the darkness (Job 17:14), and say to corruption," rather, "to the pit" or "grave," &c. (Job 17:15). Where then is my hope? [Umbreit]. The apodosis is at Job 17:15.
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
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KJV Study Commentary
Elihu presents a conditional promise: "If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures." The verb <em>shama</em> (שָׁמַע, "obey") means to hear and heed. The verb <em>abad</em> (עָבַד, "serve") means to work or worship. The promise of prosperity (<em>tov</em>, טוֹב, good) and pleasures (<em>ne'imim</em>, נְעִימִים, pleasant things) reflects coven...
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(11) **They shall spend their days in prosperity.**—It is, perhaps, not more easy to reconcile this teaching of Elihu’s with the realities of actual fact than it is the notions of Job’s friends as to direct retribution in life.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. Thou art my father, &c.--**expressing most intimate connection (Pr 7:4). His diseased state made him closely akin to the grave and worm.
But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. perish: Heb. pass away
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword</strong>—The conditional אִם־לֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁמְעוּ (im-lo yishme'u, "if not they hear/obey") presents a stark choice: heed discipline or face destruction. The phrase בְשֶׁ֣לַח יַעֲבֹ֑רוּ (veshellach ya'avoru, "by the sword they shall pass away") uses שֶׁלַח (shelach, "weapon/missile") for violent death. <strong>And they shall die without know...
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15. Who shall see it fulfilled? namely, the "hope" (Job 11:18) which they held out to him of restoration.
But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath</strong>—The phrase חַֽנְפֵי־לֵ֭ב (chanfei-lev, "hypocrites of heart") literally means "profane/godless of heart," describing those whose inner reality contradicts outward religious profession. They יָשִׂ֣ימוּ אָ֑ף (yasimu af, "store up anger/wrath")—accumulating divine wrath like a reservoir filling before the dam breaks. This theological principl...
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(13) **The hypocrites in heart.**—The words rather mean *the godless or profane in heart.*
**They cry not.**—That is, cry not for help.
**When he bindeth them.**—That is, as in Job 36:8, he has been speaking especially of one kind of affliction, like that, namely, of Joseph.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. They--**namely, my hopes shall be buried with me.
**bars--**(Is 38:10). Rather, the wastes or solitudes of the pit (sheol, the unseen world).
**rest together--**the rest of me and my hope is in, &c. Both expire together. The word "rest" implies that man's ceaseless hopes only rob him of rest.
They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. They: Heb. Their soul dieth unclean: or, sodomites
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They die in youth</strong> (יָמֻתוּ בַנֹּעַר, yamuthu ba-no'ar)—Elihu describes the fate of the wicked who reject God's discipline. The Hebrew <em>no'ar</em> means 'youth' or 'prime of life,' indicating premature death before natural old age. This echoes the covenant curse in Deuteronomy 28:20-22 where rebellion brings untimely death.<br><br><strong>Their life is among the unclean</strong>...
Read full commentary →He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression. poor: or, afflicted
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KJV Study Commentary
Elihu claims: 'He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.' This introduces the pedagogical theme - suffering teaches. While containing truth, this doesn't fully explain innocent suffering like Job's.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **He delivereth the poor in his affliction.**—The point of Elihu’s discourse is rather that He delivereth the afflicted by his affliction; He makes use of the very affliction to deliver him by it as a means, “and openeth their ears by oppression.”
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. that: Heb. the rest of thy table
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait</strong> (וְאַף הֲסִיתְךָ מִפִּי־צָר, v'af hasit'kha mi-pi tsar)—Elihu shifts from warning to promise, using the verb <em>hasit</em> (to entice, allure, remove) suggesting God's gracious desire to deliver Job from his narrow place (<em>tsar</em>). The imagery is spatial: moving from confinement to <strong>a broad place</strong> (רַחַב, r...
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(16) **Even so would he have removed thee. **It is possible to understand this verse somewhat otherwise, and the sense may perhaps be improved. Elihu may be speaking, not of what God would have done, but of what He has actually done: “Yea, also He hath removed thee from the mouth of an adversary, even case and abundance in the place of which there was no straitness, and that which came down upon t...
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CHAPTER 18
SECOND SERIES.
Job 18:1-21. Reply of Bildad.
**2. ye--**the other two friends of Job, whom Bildad charges with having spoken mere "words," that is, empty speeches; opposed to "mark," that is, come to reason, consider the question intelligently; and then let us speak.
But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. take: or, should uphold thee
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked</strong> (וְדִין־רָשָׁע מָלֵאתָ, v'din rasha maleta)—Elihu's accusation intensifies. The verb <em>male</em> (to fill, fulfill, complete) suggests Job has filled up the full measure of wicked judgment by his complaints against God. Rather than submitting to discipline, Job has adopted the posture of the wicked—questioning divine justice. Th...
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**3. beasts--**alluding to what Job said (Job 12:7; so Is 1:3).
**vile--**rather from a Hebrew root, "to stop up." "Stubborn," answering to the stupidity implied in the parallel first clause [Umbreit]. Why should we give occasion by your empty speeches for our being mutually reputed, in the sight of Job and one another, as unintelligent? (Job 17:4, 10).
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. deliver: Heb. turn thee aside
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke</strong> (כִּי־חֵמָה פֶּן־יְסִיתְךָ בְסָפֶק, ki-chemah pen y'sit'kha v'safek)—Elihu warns of divine <em>chemah</em> (burning anger, wrath), using <em>safek</em> (a stroke, blow, clapping) to describe sudden judgment. The verb <em>suit</em> (to entice away, remove) suggests being swept away irresistibly. This parallels ve...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Because there is wrath.**—“For there is wrath: now, therefore, beware lest He take thee away with one stroke, so that great ransom cannot deliver thee.” Literally it is, *let not a great ransom deliver thee, *but the sense is probably like the Authorised Version.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. Rather, turning to Job, "thou that tearest thyself in anger" (Job 5:2).
**be forsaken?--**become desolate. He alludes here to Job's words as to the "rock," crumbling away (Job 14:18, 19); but in a different application. He says bitterly "for thee." Wert thou not punished as thou art, and as thou art unwilling to bear, the eternal order of the universe would be disturbed and the earth become d...
Read full commentary →Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength</strong> (הֲיַעֲרֹךְ שׁוּעֲךָ לֹא בְצָר, ha-ya'arokh shua'kha lo v'tsar)—The Hebrew here is notoriously difficult, but the sense is clear: wealth cannot buy deliverance from God's judgment. The verb <em>arak</em> means 'to arrange, set in order, value, esteem.' Elihu argues that neither <em>shua</em> (riches, crying ou...
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(19) **No, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.**—The words here are doubtful. Some render, “Will He esteem thy riches, that thou be not in distress?” or, “all the forces of thy strength;” others, “Will thy cry avail, that thou be not in distress?” &c.; but there is authority for the Authorised Version.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. That (Job 18:4) cannot be. The decree of God is unalterable, the light (prosperity) of the wicked shall at length be put out.
**his fire--**alluding to Arabian hospitality, which prided itself on welcoming the stranger to the fire in the tent, and even lit fires to direct him to it. The ungodly shall be deprived of the means to show hospitality. His dwelling shall be dark and desolate!
Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place</strong> (אַל־תִּשְׁאַף הַלָּיְלָה לַעֲלוֹת עַמִּים תַּחְתָּם, al-tish'af hallaylah la'alot ammim tachtam)—This cryptic verse warns against longing for death or divine judgment. The verb <em>sha'af</em> (to pant after, desire, long for) suggests eager anticipation. <em>Laylah</em> (night) symbolizes judgment, darkness, and death ...
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(20) **Desire not the night**—*i.e., *of death, as Job had done (Job 16:22; Job 17:13, &c., Job 19:27), or as, at all events, his words might be understood. For “people,” read *peoples: i.e., *nations.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. candle--**the lamp which in the East is usually fastened to the ceiling. Oil abounds in those regions, and the lamp was kept burning all night, as now in Egypt, where the poorest would rather dispense with food than the night lamp (Psa 18:28). To put out the lamp was an image of utter desolation.
Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Take heed, regard not iniquity</strong> (הִשָּׁמֶר אַל־תֵּפֶן אֶל־אָוֶן, hishamer al-tefen el-aven)—Elihu issues an urgent warning using <em>shamar</em> (to guard, keep, take heed). The verb <em>panah</em> (to turn, face, regard) with <em>aven</em> (iniquity, wickedness, trouble) warns against turning toward sin as an escape from suffering. This represents the core temptation in trials: wh...
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(21) **Regard not iniquity.**—Or, perhaps, the special sin of longing for death, for thou hast desired to die rather than bear thine affliction. Alas! Job’s case is not a solitary one, for who that has been tried as he was has not longed for the end?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. steps of his strength--**Hebrew, for "His strong steps." A firm step marks health. To be straitened in steps is to be no longer able to move about at will (Pr 4:12).
**his own counsel--**Plans shall be the means of his fall (Job 5:13).
God's Majesty Is Beyond Understanding
Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
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KJV Study Commentary
Elihu declares: 'Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?' The verb sagav (שָׂגַב, exalteth) means to be high, inaccessible, or exalted. Koach (כֹּחַ, power) denotes strength or might. The rhetorical question 'who teacheth like him' (mi moreh kamohu, מִי מוֹרֶה כָמֹהוּ) uses moreh (מוֹרֶה), meaning teacher or instructor. Elihu emphasizes God's unique authority as teacher—His power...
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(22) **Behold, God exalteth by his power.**—The rest of Elihu’s speech is splendidly eloquent. He dilates on the power and majesty of God, and appears to be speaking in contemplation of some magnificent natural phenomenon—as the tempest, or hurricane, or whirlwind—out of which the Lord ultimately spake (Job 38:1). It is probable that this storm was beginning to gather, and that it suggested the gl...
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**8. he walketh upon--**rather, "he lets himself go into the net" [Umbreit]. If the English Version be retained, then understand "snare" to be the pitfall, covered over with branches and earth, which when walked upon give way (Psa 9:15; 35:8).
Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who hath enjoined him his way?</strong> (מִי־פָקַד עָלָיו דַּרְכּוֹ, mi-fakad alav darko)—Elihu transitions from warning to exalting God's sovereignty. The verb <em>paqad</em> (to appoint, command, oversee) appears in questions demanding the answer 'No one!' God requires no supervisor or advisor. His <em>derek</em> (way, path, manner) needs no outside direction. This echoes Isaiah 40:13: '...
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**9. robber--**rather answering to "gin" in the parallel clause, "the noose shall hold him fast" [Umbreit].
Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Remember that thou magnify his work</strong> (זְכֹר כִּי־תַשְׂגִּיא פָעֳלוֹ, z'kor ki-tasgi po'olo)—Elihu shifts from warning to worship, commanding Job to <em>zakar</em> (remember, recall, commemorate). The verb <em>saga</em> means 'to make great, magnify, exalt'—the same root as <em>gadol</em> (great). God's <em>po'al</em> (work, deed, accomplishment) deserves magnification, not criticis...
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(24) **Which men behold.**—Some render it, “Whereof men sing,” but the other seems to suit the context best.
Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Every man may see it</strong> (כָּל־אָדָם חָזוּ־בוֹ, kol-adam chazu-vo)—Elihu emphasizes the universal accessibility of God's self-revelation in creation. The phrase <em>kol-adam</em> (all mankind, every human) with <em>chazah</em> (to see, perceive, behold) indicates that God's works are visible to all. This isn't specialized knowledge requiring esoteric initiation—it's available to any w...
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**11. Terrors--**often mentioned in this book (Job 18:14; 24:17; &c.). The terrors excited through an evil conscience are here personified. "Magor-missabib" (Jr 20:3).
**drive ... to his feet--**rather, "shall pursue" (literally, "scatter," Ha 3:14) him close "at his heels" (literally, "immediately after his feet," Ha 3:5; 1Sa 25:42; Hebrew). The image is that of a pursuing conqueror who sca...
Read full commentary →Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
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KJV Study Commentary
Elihu exclaims: 'Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.' The phrase El saggi (אֵל שַׂגִּיא, God is great) uses saggi (שַׂגִּיא), meaning abundant, great, or mighty. The confession 'we know him not' (lo neda, לֹא נֵדָע) admits epistemic limitation. The phrase 'neither can the number of his years be searched out' (u-mispar shanav lo-chaqer, וּ...
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12. The Hebrew is brief and bold, "his strength is hungry."
**destruction--**that is, a great calamity (Pr 1:27).
**ready at his side--**close at hand to destroy him (Pr 19:29).
For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For he maketh small the drops of water</strong> (כִּי יְגָרַע נִטְפֵי־מָיִם, <em>ki yegara nitpei-mayim</em>)—The verb <em>gara</em> (גָּרַע, "to diminish, withdraw") and noun <em>neteph</em> (נֶטֶף, drop) describe God drawing up water particles. This is ancient description of the water cycle: evaporation. The phrase <strong>they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof</strong> (יָז...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **The drops of water.**—The origin and first beginnings of the tempest are described. “He maketh small,” or draweth up by exhalation. “They pour down rain,” or “they distil in rain from His vapour,” or “belonging to the vapour thereof.” The rain is first absorbed, and then distilled and poured down.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
13. Umbreit has "he" for "it," that is, "in the rage of hunger he shall devour his own body"; or, "his own children" (La 4:10). Rather, "destruction" from Job 18:12 is nominative to "devour."
**strength--**rather, "members" (literally, the "branches" of a tree).
**the first-born of death--**a personification full of poetical horror. The first-born son held the chief place (Ge 49:3); so here th...
Read full commentary →Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly</strong> (אֲשֶׁר־יִזְּלוּ שְׁחָקִים יִרְעֲפוּ עֲלֵי אָדָם רָב, <em>asher-yizzelu shechakim yir'apu alei adam rav</em>)—The verb <em>nazal</em> (נָזַל, "to flow, drip, distill") and <em>ra'aph</em> (רָעַף, "to drop, drip abundantly") both describe precipitation. The noun <em>shachaq</em> (שַׁחַק, clouds, skies) and phrase "upon man abu...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. confidence--**all that the father trusted in for domestic happiness, children, fortune, &c., referring to Job's losses.
**rooted out--**suddenly torn away, it shall bring--that is, he shall be brought; or, as Umbreit better has, "Thou (God) shalt bring him slowly." The Hebrew expresses, "to stride slowly and solemnly." The godless has a fearful death for long before his eyes, and is at...
Read full commentary →Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds</strong> (אַף אִם־יָבִין מִפְרְשֵׂי־עָב, <em>aph im-yavin miphresei-av</em>)—The verb <em>bin</em> (בִּין, "to understand, discern") questions human comprehension. The noun <em>mipras</em> (מִפְרָשׂ, spreading, expanse) describes clouds' formation and movement. The phrase <strong>or the noise of his tabernacle</strong> (תְּשֻׁאוֹת סֻכָּת...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **The spreading of the clouds**—*i.e.*, how the clouds are spread over the heavens, and heaped up one upon the other like mountains in the skies when the storm gathers.
**Or the noise of His tabernacle?**—Or the thunderings of His pavilion (Psalm 18:12).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. It--**"Terror" shall haunt, &c., and not as Umbreit, "another," which the last clause of the verse disproves.
**none of his--**It is his no longer.
**brimstone--**probably comparing the calamity of Job by the "fire of God" (Job 1:16) to the destruction of guilty Sodom by fire and brimstone (Ge 19:24).
Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. bottom: Heb. roots
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it</strong> (הֵן־פָּרַשׂ עָלָיו אוֹרוֹ, <em>hen-paras alav oro</em>)—The verb <em>paras</em> (פָּרַשׂ, "to spread out, extend") and <em>or</em> (אוֹר, light) likely refer to lightning spreading across clouds or sky. The phrase <strong>and covereth the bottom of the sea</strong> (וְשָׁרְשֵׁי הַיָּם כִּסָּה, <em>ve-shorshei hayyam kissah</em>) uses <em>sho...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **His light **appears to mean here the lightning which flashes forth from the cloud.
**And covereth the bottom of the sea.**—Literally, *it hath covered the roots of the sea: i.e., *it, the lightning, or He, God, hath covered those clouds which are composed of the roots of the sea, that is, the drops of water which are exhaled from the sea.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. Roots--**himself.
**branch--**his children (Job 8:12; 15:30; Mal 4:1).
For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For by them judgeth he the people</strong> (כִּי־בָם יָדִין עַמִּים, <em>ki-vam yadin ammim</em>)—The phrase "by them" likely refers to meteorological phenomena (rain, lightning, clouds) as instruments of divine judgment. The verb <em>din</em> (דִּין, "to judge, govern") has both judicial and providential senses. The phrase <strong>he giveth meat in abundance</strong> (יִתֶּן־אֹכֶל לְמַכְב...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **For by them**—*i.e., *these roots of the sea, these drops of water, these rain-clouds. “He judgeth peoples” by withholding them, or “giveth meat in abundance” by sending rain on the earth; or He may use them in excess, to chastise nations by inundations and the like. The change from *roots of the sea *to *bottom of the sea *in the Authorised Version has obscured the meaning of “them” in the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. street--**Men shall not speak of him in meeting in the highways; rather, "in the field" or "meadow"; the shepherds shall no more mention his name--a picture from nomadic life [Umbreit].
With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>With clouds he covereth the light</strong> (עַל־כַּפַּיִם כִּסָּה־אוֹר, <em>al-kappayim kissah-or</em>)—The phrase "upon palms" (<em>al-kappayim</em>) may mean God holds lightning in His hands (literal or poetic). The verb <em>kasah</em> (כָּסָה, "to cover") and <em>or</em> (אוֹר, light, possibly lightning) creates vivid imagery of divine control. The phrase <strong>and commandeth it not t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(32) **With clouds.**—The word here rendered “clouds” really means *hands, *and there seems to be no good reason why it should be otherwise understood. The verse will then read, “He covereth the lightning with His hands, and giveth it a charge that it strike the mark;” or, according to some, “giveth it a charge against the assailant.” The figure is that of a man hurling a stone or bolt, and taking...
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**18. light ... darkness--**existence--nonexistence.
The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour. the vapour: Heb. that which goeth up
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The noise thereof sheweth concerning it</strong> (יַגִּיד עָלָיו רֵעוֹ, <em>yaggid alav re'o</em>)—The verse is textually difficult. The noun <em>rea</em> (רֵעַ) can mean "friend, companion, thunder." Some translations: "its crashing declares His presence" (ESV). The phrase <strong>the cattle also concerning the vapour</strong> (מִקְנֶה אַף עַל־עוֹלֶה, <em>miqneh aph al-oleh</em>) is obscu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(33) **The noise thereof sheweth concerning it.**—This verse is extremely difficult, and the sense very uncertain. We may translate the first clause, “The noise thereof (*i.e.*, the crash of the thunder) declareth concerning Him:” it is His voice, and speaks of Him; but the last clause is almost unintelligible. The words as they stand mean, or may mean, *cattle even concerning a goer up; *but what...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. nephew--**(so Is 14:22). But it is translated "grandson" (Ge 21:23); translate "kinsman."