Ver. 1. Furthermore Elihu answered and said] i.e. He prosecuted his former discourse, he thus pronounced (as the Vulgate hath it) in answer to some of Job’s former speeches, which he here reciteth, but not so candidly; and refelleth, but not so mildly as was meet. Pronuncians itaque Eliu, Elihu going on still in his anger and speech. True it is, that Job in his heat had let fall very many lavish and inconsiderate speeches, as is to be seen almost throughout the tenth chapter; but yet it was far from him ever to say either that himself was without sin or that God was unjust, as Elihu would bear him down; very odiously taking up certain sayings of his that way sounding, and very gravely calling forth the rest there present to give sentence with him against Job. Yet is not Elihu to be censured for a proud, arrogant person (as some make him), but to be esteemed, Sapiens et egregius vir, as Lavater here styleth him, a wise and excellent man; though he should have considered that the Spirit of God is neque mendax, neque mordax, a spirit of truth and of meekness.
Ver. 2. Hear my words, O ye wise men] And those are not many, Hosea 14:9. He excludeth poor Job, whom yet he had promised to teach wisdom, Job 33:33. And that he spoke not to the many it is probable, for they have not those auras perpargatas, that he calleth for in the next verse. Βοιωτες fere sunt, they are heavily eared for the most part, and of dull apprehension; Boeotum in patria, crassoque sub acre nati. To the other three then of Job’s friends he applieth himself; whom because he had sharply reproved before, and that they may not think that he held himself the only wise man among them, he thus bespeaketh to get audience, and makes them judges of his discourse. Men may be wise in some things that have carried the matter foolishly enough in other, ουδεις ανθρωπων αυπος απαντα σοφος (Theog.). And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge] It is a happiness to have such hearers. “I speak as to wise men, judge ye what I say,” 1 Corinthians 10:15. Jovianus the emperor was wont to wish, That he might govern wise men, and that wise men might govern him. But as it was once said, That there was never less wisdom in Greece than in the days of the seven wise men; so may we now well complain, that there is a very great want of sound and saving knowledge in this great abundance of helps thereunto; so that we may cry out, with the prophet Isaiah, Whom shall we teach knowledge, and whom shall we make to understand the hearing? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts; q.d. We have to do with very babes, children in understanding, but not in malice.
Ver. 3. For the ear trieth words] And for that end we have that excellent sense of hearing given us, that we may hear with judgment, and trying all things, hold fast that which is good, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, taking heed what we hear, Mark 4:24, as by the taste we may take heed what we let down; for else a man may easily eat his own bane, drink his poison: so here, for the soul hath her senses also, Philippians 1:9, and these habitually exercised to discern good and evil, Hebrews 5:14. Which while carnal people want, they are carried away as they are led, 1 Corinthians 12:2; plucked away with the error of the wicked, 2 Peter 3:17; wherried about with every wind of doctrine, Hebrews 13:9, &c. [See Trapp on “Job 12:1”]
Ver. 4. Let us choose to us judgment] Let us summon the sobriety of our senses before our judgments; laying aside all prejudice; for, Omne iudicium a se aufert qui praeiudicium affert, He can never judge aright who comes to a cause forestalled or prepossessed. Let us know among ourselves what is good] Let us go knowingly to work, according to apparent truth; and not use cunningly devised arguments, as many (mataeologi rather than theologi) do today in the greatest controversies of religion; and hereunto let us all contribute our best help, for the finding out of truth, and convincing of Job.
Ver. 5. For Job hath said, I am righteous] So he was with a twofold righteousness: imputed, or the righteousness of justification; and imparted, or the righteousness of sanctification. But Elihu understood him as if he had said, I am sinless. This Job never said; only he cleared himself of foul offences wherewith his friends falsely charged him; and asserted his own integrity, whereof he seemed to be more solicitous than of giving God the glory of his justice; and therein he was to be blamed, as here he is to some purpose. And God hath taken away my judgment] sc. By handling me like a wicked man, and not showing me why. See Job 27:3, where Job had used these very words; but not in the sense that Elihu urgeth them against him.
Ver. 6. Should I lie against my right?] Ut meam causam prodam, so as to betray my cause, and yield myself guilty when I know myself innocent (R. Levi). This I will never do, said Job; no more would that peerless Lady Elizabeth, when as a traitor she was laid up in the Tower, and pressed to appeach herself. Better die than lie. My wound is incurable without transgression] These last words, “without transgression,” Elihu spitefully thrusteth in, saith Beza. Others think they may be gathered out of Job 9:17 16:17. Without presumptuous sin (which David calleth the great transgression, the wickedness with a witness) Job might truly say, it may be; for all men are sinners, yet not all alike; though all have a discrasy, yet every man hath not a fever; and though none are without ill humours, yet some have not a leprosy upon them.