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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 35:1-8

We have here, I. The bad words which Elihu charges upon Job, Job 35:2, 3. To evince the badness of them he appeals to Job himself, and his own sober thoughts, in the reflection: Thinkest thou this to be right? This intimates Elihu's confidence that the reproof he now gave was just, for he could refer the judgment of it even to Job himself. Those that have truth and equity on their side sooner or later will have every man's conscience on their side. It also intimates his good opinion of Job,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:2

Thinkest thou this to be right ,.... Elihu appeals to Job himself, to his conscience and reason; who as a natural man, guided by the light of nature and reason only, and judging according to the dictates of a natural conscience, and especially as a good man, one that feared God, and had so much knowledge of him and his perfections, as his speeches showed, could never upon reflection think it right what he had said concerning God and his justice, as follows: that thou saidst, my... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:3

For thou saidst, what advantage will it be unto thee ?.... Meaning that his righteousness, his holy life and conversation, were of no avail to him: he received no more benefit by being righteous than if he was wicked, since God destroyed one as well as another; and since his righteousness did not secure him from afflictions and calamities, it was of no advantage to him; he had not said so in so many words, but it is inferred from what he had said, Job 9:22 . Man's own righteousness is of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:4

I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Meaning not his three friends, as the Septuagint version expresses it; for they were not on the side of Job, and of the same sentiment with him, but rather on the side of Elihu; especially Eliphaz, who expresses much the same sentiment he does, Job 22:2 ; but all that were of the same mind with Job, whether present or absent, or in whatsoever part of the world; the answer he should return to him would serve for them all, and sufficiently... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:5

Look unto the heavens, and see ,.... The firmament of heaven, in which are the sun and moon and stars: and behold the clouds which are higher than thou ; the clouds of the air or sky, which are lower than the starry heavens, yet these were higher than Job, and much more the starry heavens: but because the word has the signification of "thinness", which does not so well agree with the clouds, which are thick substances, condensed air; some take it to be meant of the supreme region of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:6

If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him ?.... Sin is expressly said to be against God, Psalm 51:4 ; it is contrary to his nature, as any opposites can be to each other: it is against his law, a breach and violation of it; and so against his supreme legislative power and authority, and a contempt of it; it is what he is angry with and is provoked by, being what he hates and abhors, and is abominable in his sight. But then he cannot be supposed to be so affected with it to be ruffled and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:7

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him ?.... All righteousness is of God that any creatures have. What the angels in heaven have, or Adam had in a state of innocence; or what believers in Christ have in and from him; his righteousness imputed to them is of God; the grace of righteousness, or holiness, imparted to them and implanted in them, is from him; and it is under the influence of his Spirit, and by his grace and strength, they do works of righteousness externally; and therefore can... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 35:8

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art ,.... But not God: a man may hurt himself by his wickedness; his body, by bringing various diseases upon it, through debauchery and intemperance; his family and estate, by wasting it; his soul, for every sin is a wrong and injury to a man's soul, and exposes it to ruin and destruction: and sin does even a good man harm, since it breaks in upon his peace, and hinders his communion with God; and the wickedness of men may harm others like... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 35:2

My righteousness is more than God's? - This would indeed be a blasphemous saying; but Job never said so, neither directly nor constructively: it would be much better to translate the words מאל צדקי tsidki meel , I am righteous Before God. And Job's meaning most certainly was, "Whatever I am in your sight, I know that in the sight of God I am a righteous man;" and he had a right to assume this character, because God himself had given it to him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 35:3

What advantage will it be unto thee? - As if he had said to God, "My righteousness cannot profit thee, nor do I find that it is of any benefit to myself." Or perhaps Elihu makes here a general assertion, which he afterwards endeavors to exemplify: Thou hast been reasoning how it may profit thee, and thou hast said, "What profit shall I have in righteousness more than in sin?" read more

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