Job 36:16-26

16 "Then indeed, He 1enticed you from the mouth of distress, Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness.
17 "But you were full of 2judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 "Beware that 3wrath does not entice you to scoffing; And do not let the greatness of the 4ransom turn you aside.
19 "Will your riches keep you from distress, Or all the forces of your strength?
20 "Do not long for 5the night, When people vanish in their place.
21 "Be careful, do 6not turn to evil, For you have preferred this to 7affliction.
22 "Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a 8teacher like Him?
23 "Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, '9You have done wrong '?
24 "Remember that you should 10exalt His work, Of which men have 11sung.
25 "All men have seen it; Man beholds from afar.
26 "Behold, God is 12exalted, and 13we do not know Him; The 14number of His years is unsearchable *.

Job 36:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 36

This chapter, with the following, contains Elihu's fourth and last discourse, the principal view of which is to vindicate the righteousness of God; which is done by observing the dealings of God with men in his providence, according to their different characters, and from the wonderful works wrought by him in a sovereign manner, and for the benefit of his creatures. This chapter is introduced with a preface, the design of which is to gain attention, Job 36:1-4; the different dealings of God with men are observed, and the different issue of them, and the different ends answered thereby, Job 36:5-15; and it is suggested to Job, that had he attended to the design of the providence he was under, and had submitted to it patiently, things would have been otherwise with him; and therefore Elihu proceeds to give him some advice, which, if taken, would be for his own good, and the glory of God, Job 36:16-25; and closes the chapter by observing the unsearchable greatness of God, as appears by the works of nature wrought by him, Job 36:26-33.

Cross References 14

  • 1. Hosea 2:14
  • 2. Job 22:5, 10, 11
  • 3. Jonah 4:4, 9
  • 4. Job 33:24
  • 5. Job 34:20, 25
  • 6. Job 36:10; Psalms 31:6; Psalms 66:18
  • 7. Job 36:8, 15; Hebrews 11:25
  • 8. Job 35:11
  • 9. Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3
  • 10. Psalms 92:5; Revelation 15:3
  • 11. Exodus 15:1; Judges 5:1; 1 Chronicles 16:9; Psalms 59:16; Psalms 138:5
  • 12. Job 11:7-9; Job 37:23
  • 13. 1 Corinthians 13:12
  • 14. Job 10:5; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:24, 27; Hebrews 1:12

Footnotes 3

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.