Job 34:21-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

In this chapter Elihu turns from Job to those whom he addresses as "wise men" (verse 2), or "men of understanding" (verse 10). Whether these are Job's three special friends, or others among the company which had perhaps gathered to hear the debate, is uncertain. He makes the subject of his address to them Job's conduct—scarcely a polite thing to do in Job's presence. Job, he says, has scorned God and charged him with injustice (verses 5-9). He will vindicate him. This he proceeds to do in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

Elihu to the bystanders: the case of Job tried. I. THE COURT CONSTITUTED . 1 . The panel . Job, a good man, a great sufferer, sorely calumniated deeply perplexed, involved in doubt and darkness, and guilty of much presumption. 2 . The judges . Either the three friends ironically addressed as "wise men," or the bystanders, among whom were doubtless many possessed of sound wisdom and discretions" wise" and "knowing ones" (verse 2), "men of understanding," literally,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

Elihu's second discourse: man has no right to doubt of God's fustier. I. CENSURE OF JOB 'S DOUBTS . ( Job 34:1-9 .) In silence Job has listened to the reproof of his friend, and has apparently taken to heart the lesson that in justifiable self-defence we may carry our protests beyond the true boundary, and exaggerate our innocence while rejecting false imputations. Elihu therefore rises again, and proceeds with his second reproof. Job has represented God as a cruel, unjust... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:21

For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. Elihu proceeds to a fresh argument. The omniscience of God is a security against his acting unjustly. He knows exactly each man's powers, capacities, temperament, temptations, circumstances He can exactly me, sure each man's due, and will assuredly mete it out to each without partiality or prejudice. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:22

There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves . "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" ( Hebrews 4:13 ). However careful wicked men may be to conceal their misdeeds by "waiting for the twilight" ( Job 24:15 ), or doing them "in the dark" ( Job 24:16 ), they will find it quite impossible to escape the all-seeing eye of the Almighty, which is as clear-sighted in the deepest darkness as in the brightest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:23

For he will not lay upon man more than right ; rather,for he needeth not further to consider a man (see the Revised Version). He has no need to consider any man's case twice; he sees it at the first glance, and judges it infallibly. That he should enter into judgment with God. Were it not so, a man might perhaps claim to have a second trial, and, pleading in his own defence, might "enter into judgment with God," or (according to others) "go before God in judgment;" but God's absolute... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:24

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number ; rather, in ways that are unsearchable , or in ways past finding out (see the Revised Version). And set others in their stead . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:25

Therefore ( i.e. to that end ' or with that object in view ) he knoweth (rather, taketh knowledge of ) their works . As God governs the world, and governs it, to a large extent, by exalting some men and depressing others, he is bound to take strict account of their conduct, that he may exalt the worthy and depress the unworthy. And he overturneth them in the night (comp. Job 34:20 ). So that they are destroyed ; literally, crushed. God's judgments fall on men... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 34:21

For his eyes are upon the ways of man - None can escape from his notice; compare Psalms 139:2-3. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 34:22

There is no darkness - No dark cavern which can furnish a place of concealment. The guilty usually take refuge in some obscure place where people cannot detect them. But Elihu says that man has no power of concealing himself thus from God.Nor shadow of death - A phrase here signifying deep darkness; see it explained in the notes at Job 3:5.Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves - That is, where they may conceal themselves so as not to be detected by God. They may conceal themselves... read more

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