Job 36:16

“Even so, etc.] Here Elihu accommodates what he had said to the case of Job; that had he hearkened and been obedient to the voice of God in his rod, and had submitted to his chastening hand, and patiently bore his afflictions; he, God, would have removed thee out of the strait [into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness: that is, out of the strait circumstances in which he was, into liberty; would have brought him into a large place, where he might walk at liberty, as David experienced, (<190401>Psalm 4:1 18:19 119:45); and may be understood both in a temporal and spiritual sense. In a temporal sense; he was now in great straits, in poverty and affliction; these pressed him hard on…”

“Rather, "He will lead forth thee also out of the jaws of a strait" (Psa 18:19; Psa 118:5). broad place--expresses the liberty, and the well-supplied "table" the abundance of the prosperous (Psa 23:5; Isa 25:6).”

“Even so would he have removed thee - That is, if you had been patient and resigned, and if you had gone to him with a broken heart. Having stated the “principles” in regard to affliction which he held to be indisputable, and having affirmed that God was ever ready to relieve the sufferer if he would apply to him with a proper spirit, it was natural to infer from this that the reason why Job “continued” to suffer was, that he did not manifest a proper spirit in his trials. Had he done this, Elihu says, the hand of God would have been long since withdrawn, and his afflictions would have been removed. Out of the strait into a broad place - From the narrow, pent up way, where it is impossible to…”

“He would - If thou hadst opened thine ear to God's counsels. Into - A state of ease and freedom. Job 36:17”

“a broad: Job 19:8, Job 42:10-17; Psa 18:19, Psa 31:8, Psa 40:1-3, Psa 118:5 that which should be set on thy table: Heb. the rest of thy table full: Psa 23:5, Psa 36:8, Psa 63:5; Isa 25:6, Isa 55:2 Job 36:17”

“16 And He even bringeth thee out of the jaws of distress To a broad place, whose ground hath no straitness, And the adorning of thy table shall be full of fatness. 17 Yet thou art become full of the judging of the evil-doer: Judging and judgment lay hold on one another! 18 For let not anger indeed entice thee to scorning, And let not the greatness of the ransom mislead thee. With Job 36:16 Elihu passes over to the application to Job of what he said in the preceding strophe. Since it is usual to place אף (like גּם and אך) at the beginning of the sentence, although not belonging to the member of the sentence which immediately follows, ואף הסיתך for והסית אף אתך cannot be remarkable. The praet.…”