Job 34:14-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 34:10-15

The scope of Elihu's discourse to reconcile Job to his afflictions and to pacify his spirit under them. In order to this he had shown, in the foregoing chapter, that God meant him no hurt in afflicting him, but intended it for his spiritual benefit. In this chapter he shows that he did him no wrong in afflicting him, nor punished him more than he deserved. If the former could not prevail to satisfy him, yet this ought to silence him. In these verses he directs his discourse to all the company:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:14

If he set his heart upon man ,.... Not his love and affections; though there are some he does in this sense set his heart on, and whose souls at death he gathers to himself, but with this sense the next verse will not agree; but to destroy him, as Jarchi adds by way of explanation; if he gives his mind to it, is set upon it and resolved to do it, none can hinder him; or sets himself against him in an hostile way, the issue must be entire ruin and destruction to the race of men; but it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:15

All flesh shall perish together ,.... Not one by one, or one after another, as they generally do, but all together; as when the flood swept away the world of the ungodly. "All flesh" signifies all men, and their bodies of flesh particularly, which are weak, frail, and mortal; and if God gathers or takes out the spirit from them, they die immediately, which is meant by perishing, as in Ecclesiastes 7:15 ; and man shall turn again unto dust ; from whence he came, as the body does at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 34:14

If he set his heart upon man - I think this and the following verse should be read thus: - "If he set his heart upon man, he will gather his soul and breath to himself; for all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust." On whomsoever God sets his heart, that is, his love, though his body shall perish and turn to dust, like the rest of men, yet his soul will God gather to himself. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 34:14

If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath . Two renderings are proposed, both supported By about equal authority: The difference is not great. God could, either by withdrawing from man the breath and spirit which he has given him, or simply by withholding from man the quickening and sustaining influences which he is perpetually putting forth, reduce all humankind to nothingness. Being so completely master of man, he would surely not condescend to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:15

All flesh shall perish together (comp. Psalms 104:29 ). Without God's sustaining hand, all creatures would fall back into nothingness. And man shall turn again unto dust. Either Elihu refers here to Genesis 3:19 , or else he has a traditional knowledge of man's origin, handed down from a remote antiquity, which is in entire conformity with the Hebrew belief. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 34:14

If he set his heart upon man - Margin, as in Hebrew “upon him” - meaning “man.” That is, if he fixes his attention particularly on him, or should form a purpose in regard him. The argument seems to be tbis. “If God wished such a thing, and should set his heart upon it, he could easily cut off the whole race. He has power to do it, and no one can deny him the right. Man has no claim to life, but he who gave it has a right to withdraw it, and the race is absolutely dependent on this infinite... read more

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