Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 34:30

That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

30. His operations are directed by the great purpose of the good of men, that the nations be righteously and mercifully ruled.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

That the hypocrite reign not – All this is done to prevent wicked men from ruling over the people. The remarks of Elihu had had respect much to princes and kings, and he had shown that however great they were, they were in the hands of God, and were wholly at his disposal. He now says that the design of his dealings with them was to prevent their oppressing their fellow-men. The general scope of the remarks of Elihu is, that God is the universal Sovereign; that he has all people under his control, and that there are none so powerful as to be able to resist his will. The remark in this verse is thrown in, not as illustrating this general sentiment, but to show what was in fact the aim for which he thus interposed – to save people from being oppressed and crushed by those in authority.

Lest the people be ensnared – Hebrew From their being snarers of the people. He thrusts down the mighty, in order that they may not be left to take the people as wild beasts are taken in the toils. They were disposed to make use of their power to oppress others, but God interposes, and the people are saved. For a fuller view of this verse, see the remarks of Rosenmuller.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 30. That the hypocrite reign not] The Vulgate translates, Who causes a wicked man to reign because of the sins of the people. This was precisely the defense which Hegiage, the oppressive ruler of the Babylonian Irak, under the caliph Abdul Malec, made when he found the people in a state of insurrection. See at the end of the chapter. See Clarke on Job 34:37.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Having said that God could and would carry on his own work and design effectually, whether against one man, or against a whole people, he now proceeds to give a further instance of Gods mighty power above and against the greatest monarchs, in whom their own and the peoples strength seem to be united, yet all together cannot oppose God in his work. God when he pleaseth can and doth so order affairs,

that the hypocrite (i.e. the profane wicked prince, as one of the kings of Judah is called, Eze 21:25; bad princes being called hypocrites, because they do commonly cover all their oppressions, and injuries, and impieties too, with the specious pretence of justice and the public good, and the discharge of their trust and duty) may not reign, (i.e. may not continue his reign and tyranny, that he may and shall by his sovereign power and omnipotent providence be deprived of his kingdom,)

lest the people be insnared, i.e. lest the people should be longer and more and more kept and held in the snares or fetters of tyranny and oppression, i.e. God doth this to free poor oppressed people from the snares which ungodly and unrighteous princes lay for them. Or, that the people be not insnared any longer, Heb. that there be no snares of or for the people. Or, for the snares, or scandals, or sins (which are oft so called) of the people. So the sense is, that such a wicked prince may not continue to reign over that people, although by their sins they had provoked God to give them such a prince, and to continue his power over them.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

30. Ensnaredinto sin (1Ki 12:28;1Ki 12:30). Or rather,”enthralled by further oppression,” Job34:26-28.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

That the hypocrite reign not,…. These words seem to be connected with Job 34:24, “he breaketh in pieces mighty men”, c. the whole of Job 34:29 being read in a parenthesis or with the phrase “he hideth his face”; as God is said to be in the destruction of mighty wicked men, who oppress the poor, and cause their cry to come to God, to prevent the reign of an hypocrite, or however to shorten it. By “an hypocrite” is not meant a common hypocrite in religion, but an hypocrite in politics; who pretends to great humanity and goodness, to a tender care of the people, and a preservation of them in their rights and liberties, and promises to support and establish the constitution, and observe the laws of the nation, with a show of zeal for the religion professed in it. But when he has ascended the throne, and got the power into his hands, he throws off the mask and becomes a tyrant; and men of such a temper, either God does not suffer to ascend the throne, but if they do get on it through artifice and deceit, he suffers them not to continue, but deposes them, and cuts their reign short: and this he does

lest the people be ensnared; be brought into bondage, and lose their rights, privileges, and liberties; or lest they be drawn into sin by their precepts or examples. Some take the sense of the words to be, that God suffers not such to reign, but when he does it is because of the offences or sins of the people; he gives them such kings in his wrath, to punish them for their iniquities.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(30) That the hypocrite reign not.Rather, (whether God is provoked), on account of an ungodly man reigning, or by the snares of a whole people: i.e., the corruption of a nation, e.g., Sodom, &c.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

30. Hypocrite Ungodly. Lest, etc. , that not, introduces this as well as the preceding clause. That the people be not ensnared; literally, from snares of the people.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments