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Job 36:1-33 open_in_new
The Speeches of Elihu (continued)
1-15. Elihu maintains the wisdom and impartial justice of the rule of God. His purpose is to discipline and improve men, even by their afflictions.
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Job 36:1-38 open_in_new
The Work Begun. The Liberality of the People
Cp. 1 Chronicles 29:6-9; Ezra 2:68-70; Nehemiah 7:70-72.
8-38. The construction of the Tabernacle: see Exodus 26.
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Job 36:3 open_in_new
From afar] from a review of the whole universe.
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Job 36:4 open_in_new
He] RV 'one'; i.e. Elihu.
7b. RV 'But with kings upon the throne he setteth them for ever.'
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Job 36:8 open_in_new
Made he them] The subject down to Exodus 38:31 is Bezaleel: cp. Exodus 37:1; Exodus 38:22.
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Job 36:9 open_in_new
Their work] i.e. their faults. Exceeded] RV 'behaved themselves proudly.'
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Job 36:12 open_in_new
Without knowledge] without learning God's lessons.
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Job 36:13 open_in_new
Hypocrites] RV 'godless.' Heap up wrath] RV 'lay up anger'; they cherish rebellious feelings. They cry not] in submission. The way the godless take God's chastening is contrasted with that of the righteous, Job 36:7.
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Job 36:14 open_in_new
Is among] render, 'perisheth like.'
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Job 36:15 open_in_new
RM 'He delivereth the afflicted by their afflictions, and openeth their ears by adversity.' Such are the effects of God's discipline when taken in the right spirit.
16-21. Elihu applies these remarks to Job, urging him to humble himself instead of remaining rebellious.
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Job 36:17 open_in_new
Hast fulfilled] RV 'art full of.' Job acts like the wicked under affliction: cp. Job 36:13.
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Job 36:18 open_in_new
Render, 'For beware lest wrath lead thee away into mockery: neither let the greatness of the ransom (Job's sufferings) turn thee aside,' i.e. into rebellion.
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Job 36:19 open_in_new
Nothing but affliction can save him.
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Job 36:20 open_in_new
The night] probably, of judgment.
People] rather, 'nations.'
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Job 36:21 open_in_new
Iniquity] i.e. rebelliousness.
22- Job 37:24. The wonders of the heavens testify to the majesty and unsearchableness of God. Let Job refrain from judging Him.
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Job 36:22 open_in_new
Exalteth by] RV 'doeth loftily in.' Who teacheth like him] This is Elihu's great point, that afflictions are intended to teach, to discipline, and to purify even the good.
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Job 36:23 open_in_new
Iniquity] RV 'unrighteousness.'
26-37:13. Elihu illustrates the marvellous workings of God by a vivid description of a rising storm.
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Job 36:27 open_in_new
The formation of rain. RV 'He draweth up the drops of water which distil in rain from his vapour.'
29b. RV 'The thunderings of his pavilion'; i.e. of the clouds.
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Job 36:30 open_in_new
Render, 'Behold, He spreadeth His light around Him, and covereth it with the deeps' (lit. 'roots') 'of the sea': see on Job 26:5 and cp. Psalms 104:2; Psalms 104:3. Modern scholars generally correct the text; some read with Duhm, 'Behold, He spreadeth His mist about Him, And He covereth the tops of the mountains.'
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Job 36:31 open_in_new
The people] rather, 'the peoples.' The purpose of storms may be either punishment or a bountiful provision.
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Job 36:32 open_in_new
RV 'He covereth his hands with the lightning' (to conceal them): 'and giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.'
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Job 36:33 open_in_new
The present text is difficult. The vowel-points should probably be somewhat altered, and the v. should run, 'The noise thereof telleth concerning Him as one that kindles His wrath against wickedness.'