Bible Commentaries

The Speeches of Elihu (concluded)

2. The thunder is frequently called the voice of God: cp. Psalms 29. Sound] RM 'muttering.'

4. Them] the flashes and thunderclaps.

6c. RV 'And to the showers of his mighty rain.'

7b. RV 'That all men whom he hath made may know it.'The suspension of work by storms shows men that they are subject to a higher Power.

9. Render, 'The whirlwind comes from its chamber, and cold from the scatterers,' i.e. from the winds (so RM), which scatter the clouds. But we should probably read, 'from its storehouses,' with a trifling change.

10. Straitened] RM 'congealed.'

11. RV 'Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture: he spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning.'

12. The lightning flashes and falls in obedience to the behest of God.

13. Probably the first line should run, 'Whether it be for correction for his land.' The word translated 'or' has been repeated by mistake.

14-24. A series of questions to Job, intended, to produce submission and belief in God's providence.

15. Dost thou know?] can you explain?

16. The balancing of the clouds] the way in which they are poised.

17. Render, 'When thy clothes are hot, and the earth still by reason of the south wind.' Job 37:17-18 refer to the sultry weather and sky of brass before the storm breaks.

18. Looking glass] RV 'mirror' (of metal).

19-20. Elihu shrinks from the presumptuous thought of contending with the Almighty, such as Job had uttered.

20b. RV 'Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up.'

21. RM 'And now men cannot look on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind hath passed and chased them.'

22. Fair weather is literally 'gold.' The author probably intended 'brightness,' for which he may have used a different word. The reference may be to the Northern Lights.

23, 24. Elihu concludes by summing up the character of God as He manifests Himself to man. Though His dealings may be beyond man's comprehension, yet He is just as well as mighty, and will not afflict unjustly. But He expects humility, not presumption from His creatures.

24. Respecteth] RV 'regardeth.' Wise of heart] i.e. confident in their own wisdom, as Job was in Elihu's opinion.