Job 34:17

“Shall even he that hateth right govern? etc.] That hates moral and civil justice; is such an one fit to rule among men or over them? No, surely; for to love righteousness and do it is a qualification of a civil governor; it is his business to administer justice; and if an hater of it, he can never be a proper person to rule: and if God was an hater of that which is right, as he would seem to be if he did not do it, he would not be fit to govern the world as he does. To this absurdity is Job reduced, by suggesting that right was not done him, or that God had removed his judgment from him; (see <102303> 2 Samuel 23:3 <011825>Genesis 18:25) ( <450305>Romans 3:5,6). Mr. Broughton translates the…”

“"Can even He who (in thy view) hateth right (justice) govern?" The government of the world would be impossible if injustice were sanctioned. God must be just, because He governs (Sa2 23:3). govern--literally, "bind," namely, by authority (so "reign," Sa1 9:17, Margin). UMBREIT translates for "govern, repress wrath, namely, against Job for his accusations. most just--rather, "Him who is at once mighty and just" (in His government of the world).”

“Shall even he that hateth right govern? - Margin, as in Hebrew “bind.” That is, shall he bind by laws. The argument in this verse seems to be an appeal to what must be the conviction of mankind, that God, the Great Governor of the universe, could not be unjust. This conviction, Elihu appears to have supposed, was so deep in the human mind, that he might appeal even to Job himself for its truth. The question here asked implies that it would be impossible to believe that one who was unjust could govern the universe. Such a supposition would be at variance with all the convictions of the human soul, and all the indications of the nature of his government to be found in his works. And wilt thou…”

“Shall he - That is unrighteous. Govern - Elihu's argument is the same with that of Abraham, Gen 18:25, and that of St. Paul, Rom 3:5-6. If God be unrighteous, how shall he judge or govern the world? And the argument is undeniable: if God were unjust, there would be nothing but injustice and confusion in the world, whereas we see there is a great deal of justice administered in the world, and all this must proceed from him who is the fountain of all justice, and rule, and authority. And he that makes men just, shall he be unjust? Most just - God, who hath given so many clear and unquestionable evidences of his justice, in giving just and holy laws, in encouraging and rewarding righteous…”

“34:17 The implied answer was that God could not govern if he hated justice (cp. Rom 3:4-7; 7:7, 13; 9:14; Gal 2:17; 6:14). • Later, God also asked if Job was going to condemn the almighty judge (Job 40:8).”

“even: Gen 18:25; Sa2 23:3; Rom 3:5-7 govern: Heb. bind wilt: Job 1:22, Job 40:8; Sa2 19:21; Rom 9:14 Job 34:18”