Job 34:23-28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 34:16-30

Elihu here addresses himself more directly to Job. He had spoken to the rest (Job 34:10) as men of understanding; now, speaking to Job; he puts an if upon his understanding: If thou hast understanding, hear this and observe it, Job 34:16. I. Hear this, That God is not to be quarrelled with for any thing that he does. It is daring presumption to arraign and condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. It was, 1. As absurd as it would be to advance one to power that is a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:23

For he will not lay upon man more than right ,.... Neither in a way of duty, his law being holy, just, and good, not any of his commandments grievous, but all his precepts concerning all things right, his yoke easy and his burden light; nor in a way of punishment, always punishing then less than their iniquities deserve; nor in a way of chastisement, suffering nothing to befall his people but what is common to men; and he is faithful to bear them up under it and through it, and to make a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:24

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number ,.... Such as are mighty in bodily strength, as the giants of the old world, and such as were inhabitants of some parts of the land of Canaan; or mighty in power and authority, being kings, princes, rulers, and governors, over nations and cities; or mighty in wealth and riches, which give men power and strength; these God can and sometimes does break in pieces like potters' vessels, and even mighty kingdoms and nations themselves he will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:25

Therefore he knoweth their works ,.... Being God omniscient, or rather takes notice of them, weighs and considers them, and gives to man according to them; or rather makes them known, for of his omniscience Elihu had spoken before; he makes them known to themselves, fastens convictions of their evil ways and works on their consciences, and obliges them to confess them, as the instances of Cain, Pharaoh, and others, show; and he makes them known to others by the judgment he executes, as on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:26

He striketh them as wicked men ,.... Such is the strict justice of God, that he never strikes men, or inflicts punishment on them, or brings down his judgments upon them, but as wicked men, and because of their wickedness; the casting of man out of Eden was for his sin, as well as the casting down the angels from heaven that sinned; the drowning of the old world, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the ruin of Pharaoh and his host, the driving the Canaanites out of their land, the various... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:27

Because they turned back from him ,.... Became apostates from the ways and worship of God, as the posterity of Cain before the flood, and the posterity of Ham after it; who had been educated and trained up therein, and turned from the law of God, as the Septuagint version, from the light and law of nature: and would not consider any of his ways ; either of providence, whether in a way of mercy which might lead to repentance, or in a way of judgment which might be a caution and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:28

So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him ,.... To God; through their oppressions of the poor they are made to cry by reason of them, and who come to God with their cries, and tears, and supplications, and which enter into the ears of the Lord of hosts; and he heareth the cry of the afflicted ; as he did the cry of the Israelites under Egyptian bondage; he is a God hearing and answering prayer, and he particularly attends to the cry of the humble and of the afflicted, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 34:23

For he will not lay upon man - The meaning appears to be this: He will not call man a second time into judgment; he does not try a cause twice; his decisions are just, and his sentence without appeal. Mr. Good translates: - "Behold, not to man hath he intrusted the time Of coming into judgment with God." Man's time is not in his own hand; nor is his lot cast or ruled by his own wisdom and power. When God thinks best, he will judge for him; and, if oppressed or calumniated, he will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 34:24

He shall break in pieces - In multitudes of cases God depresses the proud, and raises up the humble and meek. Neither their strength nor number can afford them security. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 34:25

He knoweth their works - He knows what they have done, and what they are plotting to do. He overturneth them in the night - In the revolution of a single night the plenitude of power on which the day closed is annihilated. See the cases of Belshazzar and Babylon. read more

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