Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. I will fetch my knowledge from afar ] qwjrml lemerachok, "from the distant place," meaning probably both remote antiquity and heaven; see below. I will show thee that all antiquity and experience are on my side. I can bring proofs from the remotest ages and from the most distant countries to demonstrate that God is infinitely WISE, and can do nothing foolish or erroneous; that he is infinitely POWERFUL, and can bring all the purposes of his wisdom to effect; that he is infinitely GOOD, and can will nothing, and can do nothing that is not good in itself, and well calculated to do good to his creatures. And I shall show that his operations in the heavens and on the earth prove and demonstrate the whole.
And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. ] By proving the above points, the righteous conduct of God, and his gracious government of the world, will be fully established. That Elihu brings his knowledge from afar-from every part of the creation, as well as from the Divine nature-is evident from the end of the chapter. 1. The omnipotence of God; - God is great. 2. The eternity of God-We know him not, the number of his years cannot be found out, ver. 26. 3. From the economy of God in the atmosphere, in dews, rain, vapor, and the irrigation of the earth; - He maketh small the drops, &c., ver. 27, 28. 4. In the thunder and lightning, by which he performs such wonders in the atmosphere, and executes such judgments in the world; - Also who can understand the noise of his tabernacle? He spreadeth his light upon it. He judgeth the people, &c., ver. 29-33.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - Elihu only maintained that the affliction was sent for his trial; an lengthened because Job was not yet thoroughly humbled under it. He sought to ascribe righteousness to his Maker; to clear this truth, tha God is righteous in all his ways. Such knowledge must be learned from the word and Spirit of God, for naturally we are estranged from it. The fitness of Elihu's discourse to the dispute between Job and his friend is plain. It pointed out to Job the true reason of those trials with which he had been pointed out to Job the true reason of those trial with which he had been visited. It taught that God had acted in merc towards him, and the spiritual benefit he was to derive from them. I corrected the mistake of his friends, and showed that Job's calamitie were for good.
Original Hebrew אשׂא5375 דעי1843 למרחוק7350 ולפעלי6466 אתן5414 צדק׃6664
