1Elihu offereth himself instead of God to reason with Job in sincerity without terrifying him: 8he blameth him for insisting so much upon his innocence, and for his complaints against God, who is not accountable to man for his doings. 14God instructeth and calleth man to repentance by night visions, 19by afflictions, 23and by the agency of his ministers. 31Elihu demandeth Job's further attention.
1WHEREFORE, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2Behold, now 1I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken 2in my mouth.
1To open the mouth is oftentimes to speak with great earnestness or seriousness of weighty matters, or to begin a solemn and important speech or discourse, as here, and Judges 11:35; Psalm 78:2; Prov. 24:7; 31:8, 9, 26.
2 Or, under my palate or roof (of the mouth), that is, in my mouth. The palate helps the speech, Job 29:10; and therefore also is the speech ascribed to the same. See Job 31:30; Prov. 8:7.
3My words shall be of 3the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter 4knowledge 5clearly.
3 That is, the correct, true and unadulterated feelings of my heart. Compare Job 6:25 and the annotation.
4 That is, my lips, which shall and must bring forth that knowledge or instruction; which are likewise called lips of knowledge, Prov. 14:7.
5 That is, which is unadulterated and proceeds from an upright heart.
46The Spirit of God hath made me, and the 7breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
6 Elihu gives to understand that he was a man and creature of God like others. Consequently that Job might fairly and freely commune with him, as with one of his equals, and would not need to excuse himself with the dreadful majesty of God, before which he had declared that he was not able to stand. See Job 9:32; 13:21; 16:21.
7 He reflects, it seems, to the creation of the first man, Gen. 2:7.
5If thou canst answer me, 8set thy words in order before me, stand up.
8 Or, dispose, direct thy words; as Job 32:14.
6Behold,a9I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed 10out of the clay.
a Job 9:35; 23:10.
9 That is, I belong to God, being created and thus far sustained by Him in this life. Other, I am for God, according to thy mouth, namely, to maintain his cause according to your own desire.
10 Namely, in our first forefather Adam, so that for matter and descent, I am of your own kind and equal with you, wherefore I do not need to be afraid of you. See Gen. 2:7.
7Behold, 11my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my 12hand be heavy upon thee.
11 Namely, wherewith I might terrify you.
12 See Job 13:21 and the annotation.
8Surely thoub hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
b Job 10:7; 16:17; 23:10, 11; 27:5.
913I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
13 These are the speeches which Elihu had observed out of Job’s discourses, judging them to be punishable. The same or to similar purpose they are to be seen in Job 10:7; 16:17; 23:10 and 27:5. Nevertheless, Job had confessed his sins at sundry times, as may be seen in Job 9:2; 14:4. But where he spoke of his innocence, he thereby only understood the righteousness of his cause against his friends, and not the righteousness of his person before God.
10Behold, 14he findeth 15occasions against me, hec16counteth me for his enemy,
14 Namely, God. Job had indeed not used the self-same words here alleged, but others of similar sense and purpose, Job 14:16, 17.
15 That is, matter to lay to my charge, that is, to find fault and to punish. Other, breakings off, that is, means and ways to separate Himself from me, or me from Him, and to break off all friendship between us, or to frustrate and to destroy all my purposes and endeavors. Compare Num. 14:34.
c Job 13:24; 16:9; 19:11.
16 See the annotation at Job 13 on verse 24. Likewise compare Job 16:9; 19:11.
1117Hed putteth my feet in the stocks, 18hee marketh all my paths.
17 See the annotation at Job 13 on verse 27.
d Job 13:27.
18 Compare Job 14:16; 31:4, with the annotations.
e Job 14:16.
12Behold, 19in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, 20that God is 21greater than man.
19 That is, in what I have now related of you.
20 Hence, Elihu concludes that Job ought to have carried himself with more humility and reverence towards God; consequently, having transgressed in this, that he was unrighteous in that particular, though otherwise he acknowledged him pious.
21 In regard not only of His being and power, but likewise of His wisdom, righteousness, etc.
13Why dost thou strive against him? for 22he giveth not account of any of his matters.
22 The sense is, that God gives us no account of all His deeds, nor is He bound to do it. Or thus: because he hath not spoken all his words. Other, For he answereth none of his deeds or works, that is, He is not bound to account for any.
1423For God speaketh 24once, yea twice, yet man 25perceiveth it not.
23 The meaning is: Though God is not bound to give us an account of His doings, yet He does it often by His own friendly goodness, namely, when it pleases Him, which is not noticed by many. Compare Gen. 6:3; Num. 14:42; 1 Kings 22:28; 2 Kings 17:13; Dan. 4:5, 22, 28; Mat. 27:19.
24 A certain number for an uncertain. Also verse 29. See Lev. 26 on verse 8.
25 Hebr. seeth.
1526In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
26 See Gen. 20:3; 28:12, and the annotations.
16Then he 27openeth the ears of men, and 28sealeth their instruction,
27 That is, opens and enlightens the understanding and converts the will of man through His inward speaking and exhortation. See of similar expression Ruth 4 on verse 4.
28 That is, He impresses upon their hearts the assurance of His punishments, that is, He shall surely execute His intention to punish them. See the like phrase Deut. 32:34.
17That he may withdraw man 29from his 30purpose, and 31hide 32pride from man.
29 The particle from is to be inserted here out of the following phrase of this verse.
30 Namely, evil work which he intended. See Gen. 20:3; 31:24.
31 Hebr. cover, that is, take away. Compare the phrase with that of Job 3:10.
32 That is, the haughtiness and presumption of the heart of man, which makes him stout and daring, to venture upon the practice of evil.
18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the 33sword.
33 The Hebrew word signifies a weapon, which is used by casting or throwing. Understand hereby all manner of danger to the soul or body, temporally or eternally. Compare Job 36:12.
1934He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with 35strong pain:
34 The sense is, that God was wont in former times to warn men not only by dreams or visions, but likewise, as today, by diseases and sicknesses, to the end that they take heed how to live and to fear God.
35 That is, all his bones, which are many in number, and strong; understand upon this: are punished, from the sequel. Other, and the contention of his bones is violent, that is, the pains of his bones, whereby God does contend and wrestle with him as it were.
2036Sof that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul 37dainty meat.
36 Other, So that his life maketh him to abhor the bread.
f Psalm 107:18.
37 Hebr. the food of desire, that is, that which is desired, or longed for by men who are healthy. Also vessels or instruments of desire, 2 Chron. 32:27; the land of desire, Psalm 106:24; vineyards of desire, Amos 5:11.
21His flesh is consumed 38away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were 39not seen 40stick out.
38 That is, that it is seen no more, by reason of his leanness.
39 Namely, by reason of the former fatness of the body.
40 Namely, by the foresaid leanness. Other, are broken, or crushed.
22Yea, his 41soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life 42to the destroyers.
41 That is, his life, as is declared next in the sequel. See Gen. 19 on verse 17.
42 That is, which deprives a man of his life.
23If there be a 43messenger with him, an interpreter, one 44among a thousand, to shew unto man his 45uprightness:
43 That is, a prophet or teacher sent from God to instruct men, who are in some distress, both of His will and of their bounden duty. Others understand by this messenger, an holy angel.
44 Namely, of pious and faithful teachers, of whom there are not many to be found; therefore it is said to be one of a thousand.
45 That is, what he ought to do and what to leave undone to please God.
2446Then 47he is 48gracious unto him, and 49saith, 50Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a 51ransom.
46 Namely, when the sick person shall have received with a believing and obedient heart the admonition of that teacher.
47 Namely, God.
48 Namely, forgiving him his sins, and restoring him to his health.
49 Namely, to the herald or messenger.
50 That is, declare and make known salvation unto him, John 20:23; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20.
51 Namely, the reconciliation of the Messiah.
25His flesh shall be 52fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
52 Understand this of the new health, and the strength of his body, being a sign as it were of the renewing of the spirit.
26He shall pray unto God, andg he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see 53his face with joy: for he will render unto man his 54righteousness.
g Psalm 50:15; Isa. 58:9.
53 The sense is, that God, Who before was highly offended with man for his sins, shall now, after his conversion, look tenderly and with much well-pleasing upon him. It may also be understood that man shall see God’s countenance with joy and comfort, that is, to feel His grace and Fatherly compassion; the meaning is one and the same.
54 Namely, to give to him by His Spirit the assurance of his justification and the true restoration, which had been taken away in him by his sins.
2755He 56looketh upon 57men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it 58profited me not;
55 Namely, the sick man, being recovered through God’s goodness. Others understand this of God, because some do read in the next verse, which coheres with this, instead of my soul and my life, his soul, his life, and translate the words in this verse thus: He (namely, God) looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, etc., then shall he save his soul that he go not into destruction, and his life shall see the light.
56 That is, he shall join and associate himself with them.
57 Which he desires to edify with the confession of his sins and the proclamation of the grace and favor of God exhibited unto him.
58 Having been punished for it with a heavy sickness. The Hebrew word is taken in this sense Esther 3:8; 5:13.
28He will deliver his soul from going 59into the pit, and his life shall see the 60light.
59 That is, into the grave.
60 That is, enjoys a happy and prosperous condition. Light is as much here as prosperity. See Job 18 on verse 5. And to see is as much as to enjoy; see Job 7 on verse 7.
29Lo, all these things worketh God 61oftentimes with 62man,
61 That is, twice or thrice; a certain number for an uncertain.
62 Or, with a person.
30Toh bring back his soul from the pit, to be 63enlightened with the light of the living.
h Psalm 56:13.
63 That is, that he may not only be preserved alive, but also live so prosperously that he is respected and honored among the people.
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32If thou hast 64any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to 65justify thee.
64 Namely, to account for your cause and to contradict me.
65 That is, to intercede and to defend, as far as is possible, in order that I do not undertake this work through any contentiousness.
33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.