Chapter XXXIV
Ver. 1-.37. 1. answered—Proceeded. 3. This ch. is addressed also to the " friends," as ch. 33, to Job alone. 3. Palate (note ch. 12. 11; ch. 33. 2). 4. judgment— Let us
select among the conflicting sentiments advanced, what
will stand the test of examination. 5. judgment—My right. Job's own words (ch. 13. 18; 27. 2). G—i. e.. Were I
to renounce my right (i. e., confess myself guilty) I sliould
die. Ji. b virtually had said so Cch. 27.4, 5; 6. 28). Maurbr, not so well, " Notwithstanding my right(innocence) I am
(t). 22). Umbkeit, less simplj% for " overtui'neth," translates, " walketh :" i. e., God is ever on tlie alert, discovering all wickedness. 36. strlketh—Chasteneth. as—i. e., because they are wicked, sight of others—Sinners hid themselves in darkness; therefore they are punished before all, in open day. Image from the place of public execution (ch.
tj eatei\ as a liar," by God, by his afflicting me. my wound — Lit., mine arrow, viz., by which I am pierced. So "my stroke" (liand. Margin, ch. 23. 2). Jfly sickness (ch. 6. 4 ; 16.
13). witUout transgression—Witliout fault of mine to deserve it (cli. IG. 17). 7. (Ch. 15. 16.) Image from the camel, scorning—Against God (ch. 15. 4). 8. Job virtu-
40. 12; Exodus 14. 30; 2 Samuel 12. 12). 37, 38. The grounds of their punishment in v. 26; v. 28 states in what respect they "considered not God's ways," viz., by oppression, whereby " they caused the cry," &c. 39. (Proverbs 16. 7 ; Isaiah 26. 3.) make trouble—Rather, condemn (Romans
ally goeth in company (makes common cause) with the wicked, by taking up their sentiments (ch.9. 22, 23, 30; 21.
7-15j, or at least by saying, that those who act on such sentiments are unpunished (Malachi 3. 14). To deny God's rigliteous government, because we do not see the reasons of His acts, is virtually to take part with the ungodly. 9. with God—In Intimacy (Psalm 50. 18). 10. The true answer to Job, which God follows up (cli. 38). Man is to
8. 33,34). Maurer, from the reference being only to Wi« godless, in the next clause, and v. 20 translates, " When God
keeps quiet (leaves men to perish) Psalm 83. 1 ; [Umbreit] from the Arabic (strikes to the earth), who shall condemnHim as unjust?" v. 17. hldeth . . . face—(ch. 23. 8, 9;. Psalm 13. 1). it toe done—Whether it be against a guilty nation (2 Kings 18. 9-12) or an individual, tliAt God acts so.
believe God's ways are right, becau.se they are His, not becaus(i we fully see they are so (Romans 9. 14; Deuteronomy .32.4; Genesis 18.25). 11. Partly here; fully, hereafter (Jeremiah 32. 19 ; Romans 2. 6 ; 1 Peter 1. 17 ; Revelation 22. 12). 13. (Ch. 8. 3.) In opposition to Job, v. 5, will not—Cannot. 13. If the world were not God's property, as having been made by Him, but committed to His charge by some superior, it might be possible for Him to act unjustly, as He would not thereby be injuring Him-
30. "Ensnared" into sin (1 Kings 12.28,30). Or rather,. enthralled by further opxrression, v. 26-28. 31. Job accordingly says so (ch. 40.3-5; Micah 7.9; Leviticus 26.41). It was to lead him to this that Elihu was sent. Thougli no hypocrite, Job, like all, had sin, therefore through affliction he was to be brought to humble himself under God. All sorrow is a proof of the common heritage of sin, inwhich the godly shares ; and therefore he ought to regard
self; but as it is, for God to act unjustly would undermine
It as a merciful correction. Umbreit and Maurer lose this by translating, as the Hebrew will bear, " Has any a right to say to. God, I have borne chastisement and yeti have not sinned?" (so v. 6). borne—viz., the penalty of sin, as in Leviticus 5. 1, 17. offend Lit., to deal destruc-
the whole order of the world, and so would injure God's own property (ch.36. 23). disposed-Hath founded (Isaiah
44. 7), established the circle of the globe. 14,15. "If He were to set His heart on man," either to injure him, or to take strict account of his sins. The connection supports rather [Umbreit], "If He had regard to himself (only), and were to gather unto Himself (Psalm 104.29) man's spirit, &c. (wliich he sends forth, Psalm 104. .30; Ecclesiastes 12. 7), all flesh must perish together," &c. (Genesis 3.
tively or corr,ujniy (Nehemlali 1. 7). 33. ch. 10. 2; Psalm 82.
8; 19. 12; 139. 23, 24. no more—Proverbs 28. 13; Epheslans
4. 22. 33. Rather, "should God recompense (sinners) according to thy mind? Then It is for thee to reject and to choose, and not me," Umbreit; or as Maurer, "For thonA' hcut r^ected God's way of recompensing; state therefore thy way, for thou must choose, not I," i. e.. It is tliy part, not mine, to show a better way than God's. 34, 33, 337
19). God's loving preservation of his creatures proves He cannot be selfish, and therefore cannot be unjust. 16. In
V. 2, Eliliu had spoken to all In general, now he calls Job's special attention 17. "Can even He who (in thy view) 22
Gmparison not to he made i nth God. JOB XXXV, XXXVI. God b Just in Ms Ways.
Job's words (ch. 19. 7; 30. 20). Judgment—?. e., thy cause, thy rigid; as in Psalm 9. 10; Proverbs 31. 5, 8. ti-nst— Rather, trait thou on Him, patiently, until He take up thy cau.se )Psalm 37. 7). 15. As it is, because Job waited not trustingly and patiently {v. 14; Numbers '20. 12; Zephaniah 3.2; Micah 7. 9), God hath visited, Ac, yet still he has not taken {severe) .cognizance of tlte great multitude (English Version wrongly, "extremity") of .sins; therefore Job should not complain of being pnnislied with undue severity (ch. 7. 20; 11. 6). Maubek translates, "Because His anger hath not visited (hath not immediately punished Job for his impious complaints), nor has He taken
Rather, men, !( i77 say to me. and the wise man (c. 2,
30) who liearlcens to nie (will say), " Job hath spoken," &c. 30. Maryin, not so wt ll, My father, Elihu addressing God. This title does not elsewhere occur in Job. tried—by ca.laniities. aiisivtrs for wicked men—(See note v. 8.) Trials ol the godly are not removed until they jiroduce the eirect designed. 37. clnppetli . . . liands—In scorn
(cli. '.i7. 28; ICzekiel '21. 17). miiHiplietU . . . womIs—(ch.
11. 2; ;J.5. 10). To his original "sin" to correct which
trials liave been sent, "he adds rebellion," i. e., words arraigning God's justice.