Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 34:13
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
13 15. The first thought of Elihu is that the earth, the world, is not entrusted to God by another; He himself arranged it all as it is; there is therefore no motive to injustice. This is one side of his idea; the other ( Job 34:14) is that the fact of the creation and sustaining of all things and creatures by God is proof of unselfish benevolence, for if God thought of Himself and ceased to send forth His spirit, all flesh would perish.
The Oriental thinker was not a pessimist; to his mind life was not an evil but the highest good, and its continuance proof of goodness in God who gave it and continued it. Neither would it occur to such a thinker, when he argued that there was no temptation to injustice in the Creator, that a temptation might be found in His own malevolent nature. A first cause that was evil could not be supposed by any one in the position of the speakers in this Book. Even when Job touches upon such an idea, as in ch. Job 7:17 seq., Job 10:3 seq., it is for the purpose of shewing the inconsistency of malevolence with God’s necessary attributes. Comp. remarks at the end of ch. 10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? – That is, he is the great original Proprietor and Ruler of all. He has derived his authority to govern from no one; he is under subjection to no one, and he has, therefore, an absolute right to do his own pleasure. Reigning then with absolute and original authority, no one has a right to call in question the equity of what he does. The argument of Elihu here, that God would do right, is derived solely from his independence. If he were a subordinate governor, he would feel less interest in the correct administration of affairs, and might be tempted to commit injuries to gratify the feelings of his superior. As he is, however, supreme and independent, he cannot be tempted to do wrong by any reference to a superior will; as the universe is that which he has made, and which belongs to him, every consideration would lead him to do right to all. He can have no partiality for one more than another; and there can be no one to whom he would desire to do injustice – for who wishes to injure that which belongs to himself? Prof. Lee, however, renders this, Who hath set a land in order against him? He supposes that the remark is designed to show the folly of rebelling against God. But the former interpretation seems better to accord with the scope of the argument.
Or who hath disposed the whole world? – Who has arranged the affairs of the universe? The word rendered world, usually means the habitable earth, but it is employed here in the sense of the universe, and the idea is, that God has arranged and ordered all things, and that he is the supreme and absolute Sovereign.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Job 34:13
Who hath disposed the whole world.
The disposer of the world
It becomes us to entertain proper apprehensions of Him with whom we have to do.
I. Gods all-disposing agency.
1. God is the disposer of the whole world of nature. What man can produce, man can comprehend. All human workmanship is limited and finite, and capable of improvement. It is otherwise with the works of God. Here nothing is superfluous, nothing wanting, nothing by alteration can be improved. What arrangement there is in all those numerous and immense worlds which God hath created! If we are struck with a single instance of Gods arrangement in the world of nature, how much more should we be impressed with the whole if we were in a proper state of mind, and if God were in all our thoughts.
2. He is the disposer of the whole world of grace. The apostle speaks not only of grace, but of the purpose of grace. There was nothing left unappointed or unarranged. The scheme stretches from eternity to eternity, and in every part of it we see God abounding in all wisdom and prudence.
3. He is the disposer of the whole world of providence; and while He seems to be doing nothing, He is doing all things according to the counsel of His own will. We have many specimens of Gods providence in the Scriptures of truth. Providence has been at work in your history.
II. Practical reflections. Four ways in which the doctrine of the all-disposing energy of God may be improved.
1. In the way of conviction.
2. In the way of adoration.
3. In the way of consolation.
4. Let this subject check our presumption. (William Jay.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 13. Who hath given him a charge] Who is it that governs the world? Is it not God? Who disposes of all things in it? Is it not the Almighty, by his just and merciful providence? The government of the world shows the care, the justice, and the mercy of God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Over the earth, i.e. over the inhabitants of the earth, to rule them according to his laws, and to give an account to him of it. Who or where is his superior that made the world, and then delivered the government of it to God? There is no such person. God himself is the sole Creator, the absolute and supreme Lord and Governor, of all the world, and therefore cannot do unjustly. The reason is, partly, because all unrighteousness is a transgression of some law, and God hath no law to bound him but his own nature and will; partly, because the Creator and Lord of the world must needs have all possible perfections in himself, and, amongst others, perfect justice, and must needs be free from all imperfections and obliquities, and therefore from injustice; and partly, because he is of himself all-sufficient, and independent upon all other persons, and able to do and procure whatsoever pleaseth him; and therefore as he hath no inclination, so he hath no temptation, to any unrighteous actions; this being generally the reason of all unrighteous actions in the world, because the persons who do them either are obliged to do it, to gratify some superior authority who commands them to do it, or else do want or desire something which they cannot justly obtain; for he is a monster, and not a man, who will take away any thing by injustice or violence which he may have by right.
Who hath disposed, or committed, to wit, to him, to be governed by him, in the name and for the use and service of his superior Lord, to whom he must give an account.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. If the world were not God’sproperty, as having been made by Him, but committed to His charge bysome superior, it might be possible for Him to act unjustly, as Hewould not thereby be injuring Himself; but as it is, for God to actunjustly would undermine the whole order of the world, and so wouldinjure God’s own property (Job36:23).
disposedhath founded(Isa 44:7), established thecircle of the globe.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Who hath given him a charge over the earth?…. Or who hath committed the earth unto him, and made it his care and charge? Is there any above him that has put him into this post and office? Under whose direction and command is he, and to whom is he accountable? None at all; he is no deputy or sub-governor: the kings of the earth are under him, and they have others subordinate to them; but he above all, higher than the highest: he is sole Governor of the world in his own right, by right of creation, and which he has from himself and not another; he has no rival, nor partner with him, none to whom he is accountable, or can control him; and since he is the Judge of all the earth, he will do right. Subordinate governors sometimes do unjust things in obedience to their superiors, or to please them, or through fear of them; but nothing of this kind is or can be the case with God; as he cannot do any injustice through inclination of nature, nor through ignorance, as men may; so neither through fear of any, there being none above him from whom he has received a charge, or that rules over him; and, as Jarchi expresses it, can say to him, what dost thou? as, I did not command thee so and so. And though he is sovereign and independent, and his power uncontrollable, it is contrary to his nature to make an ill use of it; and was justice perverted by him, the world would soon be in the utmost confusion: but it is a plain case there is a God that judgeth in the earth, and cannot commit iniquity. Or this may be said with respect to man; who has committed the earth to man, to be his charge, to be governed by him? if so, it would soon come to nothing; all creatures in it would be destroyed, as in the following verses; but this is not the case. Or who has given it to man to possess it, and to enjoy all things in it, and has put all things into his hands, and in subjection to him, to make use thereof, and for his good, delight, and pleasure, and visits him in it in a providential way, in great kindness and goodness? It is the Lord; and can it be thought that he that is so good and beneficent to men will do them any injustice? no, surely! Yea, should he take away all these good things he has given them, and even life itself, it could be no injustice, since he would only take away what he had given and had a right unto;
or who hath disposed the whole world? or created it, as Aben Ezra; that stored it with all the good things in it for the use of men? or put it in the beautiful order it is, so suitable and convenient for the good of his creatures? or made it the habitable earth it is for man and beast? so Mr. Broughton renders the whole,
“who before him looked to the earth, or who settled all the dwelt land?”
Or who made it the fruitful earth it is, abounding with plenty of food for man and beast? or who disposes of all things in it by his wise providence, so that everything is beautiful in its season? None but the Lord has done all this; how then can it be thought that he who has filled the earth with his goodness should do wickedly or pervert judgment?
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(13) Who hath disposed the whole world?Or, Who hath set the whole world upon Him? i.e., entrusted it to His care; in the other sense it means, Who but He hath made the whole world, and who, therefore, can have the interest in it which He must have?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. Who hath given him a charge, etc. The is paragogic, not directive. The clause should read, Who hath given the earth in charge to him? Evil-doing can not be imputed to Deity, because of the absoluteness of the divine government. There is none higher than himself, therefore none whose favour God needs to seek. A deputy may be tempted to do wrong to please his superior, but not God; for it was he “who founded, the whole world.” Of his own free will he governs his own world. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Gen 18:25. Compare Rom 3:5-6.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Job 34:13. Who hath given him a charge? Who, on earth, can be his overseer? The meaning is, “Who on earth hath authority to examine into and controul his proceedings?” See Schultens and Heath.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(13) Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? (14) If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; (15) All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. (16) If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. (17) Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? (18) Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? (19) How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands. (20) In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. (21) For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (22) There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. (23) For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. (24) He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. (25) Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. (26) He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; (27) Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: (28) So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
This is a very striking account of the right of GOD’S sovereignty; and the scope of Elihu’s argument, in these verses, is to show, that a sense of our creatureship, and more especially when connected with a due apprehension of our guilt and corruption, would induce in every man, even the very greatest and best of men, a patient and humble submission to the divine will in all things. And what Elihu hath observed upon this occasion, must be the cool determination of every enlightened mind: for, where sin sits heavy, sorrows will sit light. And a deep sense of our nothingness, as creatures, and our being worse than nothing, as sinful creatures, will cause every man to put his hand to his mouth, and say with the Church of old, Thou hast of afflicted us less than our sins deserve. Ezr 9:13 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Job 34:13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
Ver. 13. Who hath given him a charge over all the earth? ] sc. To govern it. Is not he the Maker and Monarch of all men? Who is his superior? and to whom shall he give account? and who shall expostulate with him about injustice? Or, for fear of whom should he warp or writhe? The emperor cannot do right, saith one, because he hath none to overly awe him or question him (Theophil. Inst.). It is said of Trajan, that he neither feared nor hated any man living. What, then, shall we think of him, who is Moderator et Dominator supremus ac solus (Mercer).
Or who hath disposed the whole world?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Who hath given: Job 36:23, Job 38:4-41, Job 40:8-11, 1Ch 29:11, Pro 8:23-30, Isa 40:13, Isa 40:14, Dan 4:35, Rom 11:34-36
the whole world: Heb. the world, all of it
Reciprocal: Job 37:15 – Dost
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Job 34:13. Who hath given him a charge over the earth? Over the inhabitants of the earth, to rule them according to his laws, and to give an account to him thereof? Who or where is his superior, that made the world, and then delivered the government of it to God? There is no such person. God himself is the sole Creator, the supreme, absolute Lord of all, and therefore cannot act unjustly; because the Creator and Lord of the world must needs have all possible perfections in himself, and, among others, perfect justice; and because he is of himself all-sufficient, and independent of all other beings, and able to do and procure whatsoever he pleaseth; and therefore as he hath no inclination, so he hath no temptation to any unrighteous action; this being generally the reason of all the unrighteous actions in the world, that the persons who do them either are obliged to do them to gratify some superior who commands them, or else they want or desire something which they cannot justly obtain. For he would be a monster, and not a man, who would take away any thing by injustice or violence which he might have by right. Or who hath disposed the whole world? He did not receive the government of the world from any above himself; nor is there any higher being, whose authority he may be thought to dread, and for fear of whom he may be tempted to act unjustly. Bishop Patrick. The Hebrew of the former clause, , mi pakad gnalaiv artzah, the phraseology of which is rather peculiar, is rendered by Chappelow, Who enjoined him to create the earth? and by some others, Who on earth can be his overseer? The meaning evidently is, as Dr. Dodd observes from Schultens and Heath, Who on earth hath authority sufficient to examine into and control his proceedings.