Job 34:20-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 34:16-30

Elihu here addresses himself more directly to Job. He had spoken to the rest (Job 34:10) as men of understanding; now, speaking to Job; he puts an if upon his understanding: If thou hast understanding, hear this and observe it, Job 34:16. I. Hear this, That God is not to be quarrelled with for any thing that he does. It is daring presumption to arraign and condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. It was, 1. As absurd as it would be to advance one to power that is a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:20

In a moment shall they die ,.... Princes as well as the common people, rich men as well as poor; all must and do die, great and small, high and low, kings and peasants, rich and poor men, and sometimes suddenly; are struck dead at once, and without any previous notice, that night, that hour, that moment their souls are required of them. The Targum interprets this of the men of Sodom. And Mr. Broughton, in his margin, refers to the history of them in Genesis 19:1 ; and the people shall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:21

For his eyes are upon the ways of man ,.... Which denotes the omniscience of God, which reaches to every man, to every individual, and to all men in general; and to their ways, to every step taken by them, to the whole of their lives and conversations, and every action of them; to all their internal and external ways and goings; perhaps the former may be meant in this, and the latter in the following clause. This may denote all their inward thoughts, the workings of their mind, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 34:20

In a moment shall they die - Both are equally dependent on the Almighty for their breath and being; the mighty as well as the poor. If the great men of the earth have abused their power, he sometimes cuts them off by the most sudden and unexpected death; and even at midnight, when in security, and least capable of defense, they are cut off by the people whom they have oppressed, or by the invisible hand of the angel of death. This appears to be spoken in reference to Eastern tyrants, who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

In this chapter Elihu turns from Job to those whom he addresses as "wise men" (verse 2), or "men of understanding" (verse 10). Whether these are Job's three special friends, or others among the company which had perhaps gathered to hear the debate, is uncertain. He makes the subject of his address to them Job's conduct—scarcely a polite thing to do in Job's presence. Job, he says, has scorned God and charged him with injustice (verses 5-9). He will vindicate him. This he proceeds to do in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

Elihu to the bystanders: the case of Job tried. I. THE COURT CONSTITUTED . 1 . The panel . Job, a good man, a great sufferer, sorely calumniated deeply perplexed, involved in doubt and darkness, and guilty of much presumption. 2 . The judges . Either the three friends ironically addressed as "wise men," or the bystanders, among whom were doubtless many possessed of sound wisdom and discretions" wise" and "knowing ones" (verse 2), "men of understanding," literally,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

Elihu's second discourse: man has no right to doubt of God's fustier. I. CENSURE OF JOB 'S DOUBTS . ( Job 34:1-9 .) In silence Job has listened to the reproof of his friend, and has apparently taken to heart the lesson that in justifiable self-defence we may carry our protests beyond the true boundary, and exaggerate our innocence while rejecting false imputations. Elihu therefore rises again, and proceeds with his second reproof. Job has represented God as a cruel, unjust... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:20

In a moment shall they die . All lie under the same law of death— " Pallida Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas Regumque turres ." (Horace,'Od.,' 1.4, 11. 13, 14.) "In a moment," whenever God wills, they pass from life and disappear, the rich equally with the needy, the powerful prince as much as the outcast and the beggar. And the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away. (comp. Exodus 12:29 ; 2 Kings 19:35 ). Such sudden catastrophes are infrequent; but it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:21

For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. Elihu proceeds to a fresh argument. The omniscience of God is a security against his acting unjustly. He knows exactly each man's powers, capacities, temperament, temptations, circumstances He can exactly me, sure each man's due, and will assuredly mete it out to each without partiality or prejudice. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 34:20

In a moment shall they die - That is, the rich and the great. They pass suddenly off the stage of action. They have no power to compel God to favor them, and they have no permanency of existence here which can constitute a claim on his special favor. Soon they will lie undistinguished in the dust. All are in his hand; and when he wills it, they must lie down in the dust together. He exempts none from death; spares none on account of beauty, rank, wealth, talent, or learning, but consigns all... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 34:16-30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 34:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 34:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:1-37

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 34:20

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