Job 34:16,17 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

If thou hast understanding, hear this As thou art a man of understanding, hear and consider what I say. Shall even he that hateth right That is unrighteous; govern Hebrew, יחבושׁ, jachabosh, bind, as the word properly signifies, but is fitly rendered govern by most interpreters, because governors have a power to bind their subjects by laws and penalties, and they are the ligaments by which societies are bound and kept together, which, without them, would be dissolved and broken to pieces. Elihu's argument is the same with that of Abraham, Genesis 18:25, and that of St. Paul, Romans 3:5-6. If God be unrighteous, how shall he judge, or govern the world? And the argument is undeniable; if God were unjust, there would be nothing but injustice and confusion in the world; whereas we see there is a great deal of justice administered in the world, and all this must proceed from Him who is the fountain of all justice, and rule, and authority. And as the psalmist says, He that formed the eye, shall he not see? so we may say, He that makes men just, shall he be unjust? Wilt thou condemn him that is most just? God, who hath given so many clear and unquestionable evidences of his justice, in giving just and holy laws, in encouraging and rewarding righteous persons in this life, and inflicting dreadful judgments upon tyrants and oppressors.