Job 36:19-29

19 Will he esteem thy riches? Not gold, nor all the resources of strength!
20 Desire not the night, when peoples are cut off from their place.
21 Take heed, turn not to iniquity; for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Lo, God is exalted in his power: who teacheth as he?
23 Who hath appointed him his way? or who hath said, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men celebrate.
25 All men look at it; man beholdeth [it] afar off.
26 Lo, God is great, and we comprehend [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
27 For he draweth up the drops of water: they distil in rain from the vapour which he formeth,
28 Which the skies pour down [and] drop upon man abundantly.
29 But can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the crashing of his pavilion?

Job 36:19-29 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]. Lit. 'taken up.'
  • [b]. Enosh: Ps. 8.4.
  • [c]. Lit 'according to his vapour.'
  • [d]. Or 'upon the multitude of mankind.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.