Job 36 Commentary

“He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.”

Just. Hebrew, Syriac, &c., “the just man, he will place him with kings on the throne.” (Calmet) — Exalted, or “extolled” for ever, if they have done well. (Worthington) — He always disposes of kingdoms. (Menochius)

“Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.”

Violent, while in power and on the throne, or because even in a private station, their will has risen up in rebellion against God. (Haydock) — Poverty and afflictions are scourges, which are often inflicted by mercy, to bring us to a sense of our duty. (Calmet)

“He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.”

Ear, by secret inspirations, or by the admonitions of pastors. (Calmet) — Afflictions will also speak louder to them than any orator. (Haydock)

“But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. perish: Heb. pass away”

Folly. Hebrew, “without knowledge.” He speaks of princes, (Calmet) and of all the wicked, who have not known the day of their visitation. (Haydock) — They shall suffer the punishment prepared for fools or wicked men. (Menochius)

“But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.”

Bound, in misery and evil habits. They will not have recourse to God by humble prayer, though they perceive his displeasure, and design in punishing them.

“They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. They: Heb. Their soul dieth unclean: or, sodomites”

Storm. Hebrew and Septuagint, “in youth,” (Haydock) being suddenly cut off, without having deplored the sins of their youth. (Calmet) — Effeminate. Hebrew, “the consecrated” to prostitution. Eliu compares those who will not attend unto God, to the most infamous characters. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “and let their life be taken away by the angels” (Haydock) of death, chap. xxxiii. 23. (Calmet) — He may allude to the impure Sodomites. (Menochius)

“Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness. that: Heb. the rest of thy table”

He shall. He would have prevented thee from falling into this irremediable distress, if thou hadst imitated the poor who trust in Him. (Calmet) — Yea, he will still restore thee to favour, if thou wilt repent. (Haydock) — He will fill thee with joy and plenty. (Menochius) — Foundation. Hebrew, where there is not straitness. (Protestants) He would have rescued thee from distress, and set thee at large. (Haydock) — The psalmist often speaks in the same language. (Calmet)

“But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. take: or, should uphold thee”

Recover. Thou shalt be treated as thou hast treated others. Hebrew is not well understood. It may be, “Thou hast spoken like the impious; but judgment and justice rule. (18) Beware lest wrath overtake thee, so that thy prayers may not avert it. (19) Will He regard thy cries, thy riches, gold or strength?” (Calmet)

“Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.”

Without, or before thou be forced by tribulation. (Menochius) — Lay aside all sentiments of pride, (St. Gregory) or keep in awe the mighty, who administer justice in thy name. (Menochius) — Protestants, “Will he esteem thy riches? No, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.” Septuagint, “Let not a willing mind incline thee unjustly to the prayer of the needy in distress.” (Haydock)

“Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.”

Prolong not the night, &c. Prolong not causes that are brought before thee, but dispatch, by early rising, the business of them that come up to thee. (Challoner) — Septuagint, “and all the men of power do not withdraw in the night,” from just punishment. Theodotion adds, “that the people may come up against them,” to demand vengeance. Do strict justice both to the rich and to the poor, without pity or fear. (Haydock) — This text is very obscure; and the Hebrew may have different meanings, which do not, however, seem well connected with the rest. “Plant not after night, when people retire home;” (Calmet) or Protestants, “are cut off in their place.” (Haydock) — Delay not to banish temptations, or they will increase. (St. Gregory xxvi. 38.) (Worthington)

“Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.”

Iniquity, or blaspheming, (chap. xxxiv. 37.; Menochius) and murmurs, to which alone thou hast given way since thy fall. (Calmet)

“Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?”

Lawgivers. Hebrew more, “a master.” In Chaldean, “a sovereign.” (Grotius) Septuagint, “what potentate is against him?” (Haydock) — What art thou, to dare thus to resist him? (Calmet) — St. Gregory (xxvii. 1.) explains this as a prediction of Christ, “our singular lawgiver.” God is most able to punish transgressors, and willing to reward those who obey his laws. (Worthington)

“Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.”

Not, is omitted in Hebrew and Septuagint. “Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold;” Protestants, (Haydock) or “thou hast magnified,” formerly. Do so again. — Sung. The memory of great exploits was commonly preserved by canticles. (Calmet)

“Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.”

All. The rest of this chapter, and the five first verses of the next, seem to be inserted in the Septuagint from Theodotion. “Every man sees in himself how many mortals are wounded,” &c. — Off, in the stars, &c., or in ancient times, what wonders God has performed. (Calmet) — The works of God are like a ladder, by which we may ascend to the knowledge of him. (Menochius) (Wisdom xiii.) (Haydock)

“For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:”

Floods. God causes the water on the earth to evaporate, (Calmet) to form the clouds, (Haydock) which afterwards fall in torrents. (Menochius) — Theodotion, “the drops of rain are numbered by him,” &c., chap. xxvi. 8.

“Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?”

If. Hebrew, “Also can any understand the spreading out of the clouds, the elevation or noise of his pavilion?” (Haydock) — What could be more magnificent than the throne of God! (Calmet)

“Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. bottom: Heb. roots”

Ends. Literally, “the hinges,” or poles, cardines. (Haydock) — Hebrew, “roots;” Aristotle (Meteor. ii. 1.) and Hesoid (Theog. 727,) use the same term, (Calmet) to denote the fountains which supply the sea. (Haydock) — Who ever discovered these deep recesses? Eliu describes a thunder-storm, when the sea is covered with darkness. He intimates that the pavilion of God, though hidden from us by the clouds, is not destitute of light. (Calmet) — God inhabits light inaccessible. (Haydock)

“For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.”

Mortals. Hebrew, “in abundance.” (Haydock) — By thunder he overwhelms many nations, while by moderate rains, he causes the earth ot fructify (Calmet) and nourish mankind. (Menochius)

“With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.”

Hands, or clouds, which are compared to a hand, 3 Kings xviii. 44. He opens his hand, and light appears. This expression denotes the utmost facility with which a very surprising thing is effected. — To come. Hebrew, “by this obstacle.” He alludes to the sun’s eclipse, as if God’s hand covered its disk. (Calmet) — Protestants, “He….commandeth it not to shine, by the cloud that cometh betwixt.”

“The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour. the vapour: Heb. that which goeth up”

To it. The tabernacle of God is designed for his friends. Hebrew is very obscure. “Thunder announces the rain, and the very animals know it;” (Virgil describes their signs, Geor. i.) or “His thunder announces from above the clouds his wrath to men.” (Calmet) — “The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.”