Job 36:1-10

1 And Elihu proceeded and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet words for God.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Creator.
4 For truly my words shall be no falsehood: one perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5 Lo, God is mighty, but despiseth not [any]; mighty in strength of understanding:
6 He saveth not the wicked alive; but he doeth justice to the afflicted.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne doth he even set them for ever; and they are exalted.
8 And if, bound in fetters, they be held in cords of affliction,
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions, because they have increased.
10 And he openeth their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

Job 36:1-10 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.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Strictly, 'Worker,' here.
  • [b]. Elsewhere also 'upright.'
  • [c]. Lit. 'heart,' see ch. 12.3.
  • [d]. Or 'acted proudly.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.