Job Chapter 36

“Elihu also proceeded, and said.] Or “added” f1227 what follows to his former discourses; pausing a while to see whether Job would make any reply to what he had already said; but perceiving he had no inclination to do it, and having more upon his mind to deliver, went on with his discourse.”

“(Job 36:1-33) Elihu maintains that afflictions are to the godly disciplinary, in order to lead them to attain a higher moral worth, and that the reason for their continuance is not, as the friends asserted, on account of the sufferer's extraordinary guilt, but because the discipline has not yet attained its object, namely, to lend him to humble himself penitently before God (Isa 9:13; Jer 5:3). This is Elihu's fourth speech. He thus exceeds the ternary number of the others. Hence his formula of politeness (Job 36:2). Literally, "Wait yet but a little for me." Bear with me a little farther. I have yet (much, Job…”

“Elihu also proceeded - Hebrew added - ויסף vayâsaph. Vulgate “addens;” Septuagint, Ηροσθεὶς Eerostheis - “adding, or proceeding.” The Hebrew commentators remark that this word is used because this speech is “added” to the number which it might be supposed he would make. There had been “three” series of speeches, by Job and his friends, and in each one of them Job had spoken three times. Each one of the three friends had also spoken thrice, except Zophar, who failed to reply when it came to his turn. Elihu had also now made three speeches, and here he would naturally have closed, but it is remarked that he…”

“Afar - From remote times, and places, and things. I will not confine my discourse to thy particular case, but wilt justify God by declaring his great and glorious works of creation and providence both in the heaven and in the earth, and the manner of his dealing with men in other parts and ages of the world. Ascribe - I will clear and maintain this truth, that God is righteous in all his ways. Job 36:4”

“36:4 I am a man of great knowledge (literally one who is perfect in knowledge is with you): Elihu was probably claiming to be completely sincere or saying that his logic was flawless.”

“Suffer: Job 21:3, Job 33:31-33; Heb 13:22 I have yet to speak: etc. Heb. there are yet words for God, Job 13:7, Job 13:8, Job 33:6; Exo 4:16; Jer 15:19; Eze 2:7; Co2 5:20 Job 36:3”

“1 Then Elihu continued and said: 2 Suffer me a little, and I will inform thee, For there is something still to be said for Eloah. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And to my Creator will I ascribe right. 4 For truly my words are not lies, One perfect in knowledge stands before thee. Elihu's preceding three speeches were introduced by ויּען; this fourth, in honour of the number three, is introduced only as a continuation of the others. Job is to wait yet a little while, for he still has (= עוד לּי), or: there still are, words in favour of Eloah; i.e., what may be said in vindication of God against Job's…”