Job 36

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:10

He openeth also their ear to discipline - To teaching; or he makes them willing to learn the lessons which their afflictions are designed to teach; coral). See the notes at Job 33:16. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:11

If they obey and serve him - That is, if, as the result of their afflictions, they repent of their sins, seek his mercy, and serve him in time to come, they shall be prospered still. The design of affliction, Elihu says, is, not to cut them off, but to bring them to repentance. This sentiment he had advanced and illustrated before at greater length; see the notes at Job 33:23-28. The object of all this is, doubtless, to assure Job that he should not regard his calamities either as proof that he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:12

But if they obey not - If those who are afflicted do not turn to God, and yield him obedience, they must expect that he will continue their calamities until they are cut off.They shall perish by the sword - Margin, as in Hebrew “pass away.” The word rendered “sword” (שׁלח shelach) means properly “anything sent” - as a spear or an arrow - “a missile” - and then an instrument of war in general. It may be applied to any weapon that is used to produce death. The idea here is, that the man who was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:13

But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath - By their continued impiety they lay the foundation for increasing and multiplied expressions of the divine displeasure. Instead of confessing their sins when they are afflicted, and seeking for pardon: instead of returning to God and becoming truly his friends, they remaian impenitent, unconverted, and are rebellious at heart. They complain of the divine government and plans, and their feelings and conduct make it necessary for God further to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:14

They die in youth - Margin, “Their soul dieth.” The word “soul” or “life” in the Hebrew is used to denote oneself. The meaning is, that they would soon be cut down, and share the lot of the openly wicked. If they amended their lives they might be spared, and continue to live in prosperity and honor; if they did not, whether openly wicked or hypocrites. they would be early cut off.And their life is amnong the unclean - Margin, “Sodomites.” The idea is, that they would be treated in the same way... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:15

He delivereth the poor in his affliction - Margin, “or afflicted.” This accords better with the usual meaning of the Hebrew word (עני ‛ânı̂y) and with the connection. The inquiry was not particularly respecting the “poor,” but the “afflicted,” and the sentiment which Elihu is illustrating is, that when the afflicted call upon God he will deliver them. The object is to induce Job to make such an application to God that he might be rescued from his calamities, and be permitted yet to enjoy life... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:16

Even so would he have removed thee - That is, if you had been patient and resigned, and if you had gone to him with a broken heart. Having stated the “principles” in regard to affliction which he held to be indisputable, and having affirmed that God was ever ready to relieve the sufferer if he would apply to him with a proper spirit, it was natural to infer from this that the reason why Job “continued” to suffer was, that he did not manifest a proper spirit in his trials. Had he done this,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:17

But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked - Rosenmuller explains this as meaning, “If under divine inflictions and chastisements you wish to imitate the obduracy of the wicked, then the cause and the punishment will mutually sustain them selves; that is, the one will be commensurate with the other.” But it is not necessary to regard this as a “supposition.” It has rather the aspect of; an affirmation, meaning to express the fact that Job “had,” as Elihu feared, envinced the same spirit... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:18

Because there is wrath - That is, the wrath of God is to be dreaded. The meaning is, that if Job persevered in the spirit which he had manifested, he had every reason to expect that God would suddenly cut him off. He might now repent and find mercy, but he had shown the spirit of those who were rebellions in affliction, and if he persevered in that, he had nothing to expect but the wrath of God.With his stroke - With his smiting or chastisement; compare Job 34:26.Then a great ransom cannot... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:19

Will he esteem thy riches? - That is God will not regard thy riches as a reason why he should not cut you off, or as a ransom for your forfeited life. The reference here must be to the fact that Job “had been” a rich man, and the meaning is, either that God would not spare him because he “had been” a rich man, or that if he had now all the wealth which he once possessed, it would not be sufficient to be a ransom for his life.Nor all the forces of his strength - Not all that gives power and... read more

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