Job 36:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 36:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.
Job 36:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because [there is] wrath, etc.] Either wrath in Job, so some; indignation and impatience under the afflicting hand of God, expressed by cursing the day of his birth, and by his angry pleadings with God: and therefore Elihu advises him to beware of it, and check this impetuous spirit; cease from his anger and forsake wrath, and fret not himself to do evil, and provoke the Lord to take him away at once, and then his case would be irretrievable. Or rather wrath in God, which is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. His vindictive and punitive justice, to revenge and punish wickedness, the effects of which are sometimes awful judgments on men in this life; and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Num 16:45; Psa 49:6-7; Mat 16:26). Even the "ransom" by Jesus Christ (Job 33:24) will be of no avail to wilful despisers (Heb 10:26-29). with his stroke-- (Job 34:26). UMBREIT translates, "Beware lest the wrath of God (thy severe calamity) lead thee to scorn" (Job 34:7; Job 27:23). This accords better with the verb in the parallel clause, which ought to be translated, "Let not the great ransom (of money, which thou canst give) seduce thee (Margin, turn thee aside, as if thou couldst deliver thyself from "wrath" by it). As the "scorn" in the first clause answers to the "judgment of the wicked" (Job 36:17), so "ransom" ("seduce") to "will he esteem riches" (Job 36:19). Thus, Job 36:18 is the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Because there is wrath - That is, the wrath of God is to be dreaded. The meaning is, that if Job persevered in the spirit which he had manifested, he had every reason to expect that God would suddenly cut him off. He might now repent and find mercy, but he had shown the spirit of those who were rebellions in affliction, and if he persevered in that, he had nothing to expect but the wrath of God. With his stroke - With his smiting or chastisement; compare Job 34:26. Then a great ransom cannot deliver thee - Margin, “turn thee aside.” The meaning is, that a great ransom could not prevent him from being cut off. On the meaning of the word ransom, see the notes at Job 33:24. The idea here is,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wrath - Conceived by God against thee. Then - If once God's wrath take hold of thee, no ransom will be accepted for thee. Job 36:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Because: Psa 2:5, Psa 2:12, Psa 110:5; Mat 3:7; Rom 1:18, Rom 2:5; Eph 5:6 his: Psa 39:10; Isa 14:6; Eze 24:16 then: Job 33:24; Psa 49:7, Psa 49:8; Ti1 2:6; Heb 2:3 deliver thee: Heb. turn thee aside Job 36:19”
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Sources and verification