Geneva Study Bible Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. The {a} Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
(a) I confess the power of God, and am one of his, therefore you should hear me. If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, I am according to thy wish in {b} God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
(b) Because Job had wished to dispute his cause with God, Job 16:21 so that he might do it without fear, Elihu says, he will reason in God's stead, whom he does not need to fear. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand {c} be heavy upon thee.
(c) I will not handle you so roughly as these others have done. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. I am {d} clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
(d) He repeats Job's words, by which he protested his innocency in various places, but especially in the 13th, 16th and 30th chapters. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not {e} account of any of his matters.
(e) The cause of his judgments is not always declared to man. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. For God speaketh {f} once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
(f) Though God by various examples of his judgments speak to man, yet the reason for it is not known, yea and though God should speak yet is he not understood. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; In a dream, in a {g} vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
(g) God, he says, speaks commonly, either by visions to teach us the cause of his judgments, of else by affliction or by his messenger. Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, Then he openeth the ears of men, and {h} sealeth their instruction,
(h) That is, determined to send on them. That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide {i} pride from man.
(i) He shows for why God sends afflictions: to beat down man's pride, and to turn from evil. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. So that his {k} life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
(k) That is, his painful and miserable life. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life {l} to the destroyers.
(l) To them that will bury him. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: If there be a {m} messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, {n} to shew unto man his uprightness:
(m) A man sent from God to declare his will. (n) A singular man, and as one chosen out of a thousand, who is able to declare the great mercies of God to sinners: and in which man's righteousness stands, which is through the justice of Jesus Christ. Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. Then he is {o} gracious unto him, and saith, {p} Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
(o) He shows that it is a sure token of God's mercy toward sinners, when he causes his word to be preached to them. (p) That is, the minister will by the preaching of the word pronounce to him the forgiveness of his sins. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: His flesh shall be {q} fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
(q) He will feel God's favour and rejoice; declaring by this in which stands the true joy of the faithful, and that God will restore him to health, which is a token of his blessing. He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his {r} righteousness.
(r) God will forgive his sins, and accept him as just. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and {s} perverted that which was right, and it profited {t} me not;
(s) That is, done wickedly. (t) But my sins have been the cause of God's wrath toward me. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. {u} He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
(u) God will forgive the penitent sinner. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, Lo, all these things worketh God {x} oftentimes with man,
(x) Meaning, as often as a sinner repents. To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. If thou hast any {y} thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to {z} justify thee.
(y) If you doubt anything, or see opportunity to speak against it. (z) That is, to show you, in which mans justification consists. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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