Bible Commentaries

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty ^q instruct [him]? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

(q) Is this the way for a man that will learn, to strive with God? which he reproves in Job.

Behold, I am ^r vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

(r) By which he shows that he repented and desired pardon for his faults.

Wilt thou also disannul ^a my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

(a) Signifying that they who justify themselves condemn God as unjust.

Deck thyself now [with] ^b majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

(b) Meaning, that these were proper to God, and belonged to no man.

Hide them in the dust together; [and] bind ^c their faces in secret.

(c) Cause them to die if you can.

Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can ^d save thee.

(d) Proving by this that whoever attributes to himself power and ability to save himself, makes himself God.

Behold now ^e behemoth, which I made ^f with thee; he eateth ^g grass as an ox.

(e) This beast is thought to be the elephant, or some other, which is unknown.

(f) Whom I made as well as you.

(g) This commends the providence of God toward man: for if he were given to devour as a lion, nothing would be able to resist him, or content him.

^h He [is] the chief of the ways of God: ⁱ he that made him can make his sword to approach [unto him].

(h) He is one of the chief works of God among the beasts.

(i) Though man dare not come near him, yet God can kill him.

Behold, he drinketh up a river, ^k [and] hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

(k) He drinks at leisure, and fears nobody.