Job 36:8-16

8 And if they are ¹bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction,

9 then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are ²behaving arrogantly.

10 He ³opens their ears to instruction and commands that they ⁴return from iniquity.

11 ⁵If they listen and serve him, they ⁶complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.

12 But if they do not listen, they ⁷perish by the sword and die ⁸without knowledge.

13 "The ⁹godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he ¹⁰binds them.

14 They ¹¹die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes.

15 He delivers ¹²the afflicted by their affliction and ¹³opens their ear by adversity.

16 He also allured you out of distress into ¹⁴a broad place where there was no cramping, and what was set on your ¹⁵table was full of ¹⁶fatness.

Job 36:8-16 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

• 1. ver. 13; Psalms 107:10
• 2. Job 15:25
• 3. Job 33:16
• 4. Jeremiah 18:11
• 5. For ver. 11, 12, see Isaiah 1:19, 20
• 6. Job 21:13
• 7. Job 33:18
• 8. [Job 4:21]; See Job 35:16
• 9. Job 15:34
• 10. ver. 8
• 11. Job 15:32; Job 22:16; Psalms 55:23
• 12. ver. 6; See Job 33:15-28
• 13. ver. 10; [Psalms 119:67, 71]
• 14. [Job 37:10; Psalms 4:1; Psalms 18:19; Psalms 31:8; Psalms 118:5]
• 15. Psalms 23:5
• 16. Psalms 36:8