Job 36 is the 36th chapter of the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1] The book is anonymous; most scholars believe it was written around 6th century BCE. This chapter records the speech of Elihu, which belongs to the "Verdicts" section of the book, comprising –42:6.
The original text is written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 33 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008). Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls including 4Q99 (4QJob; 175–60 BCE) with extant verses 7–11, 13–27, 32–33.[2] [3]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B;
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The structure of the book is as follows:
Within the structure, chapter 36 is grouped into the Verdict section with the following outline:
The section containing Elihu's speeches serves as a bridge between the Dialogue (chapters 3–31) and the speeches of YHWH (chapters 38–41). There is an introduction in the prose form (Job 32:1–5), describing Elihu's identity and circumstances that cause him to speak (starting in Job 32:6). The whole speech section can be formally divided into four monologues, each starting with a similar formula (Job 32:6; 34:1; 35:1; 36:1). Elihu's first monologue is preceded by an apologia (justification) for speaking (Job 32:6–22) and a transitionary part which introduces Elihu's main arguments (Job 33:1–7) before the speech formally commences (Job 33:8–33).
In the first three speeches Elihu cites and then disputes specific Job's charges in the preceding dialogue:
| Job's charges | Elihu's response | |
|---|---|---|
| Job 33:8–11 | Job 33:12–30 | |
| Job 34:5–9 | Job 34:10–33 | |
| Job 35:2–3 | Job 35:4–13 |
The fourth (and final) speech of Elihu comprises chapters 36–37, in which Elihu stops refuting Job's charges, but states his conclusions and verdict:
After speaking without interruption for a long time, Elihu likely senses that Job (and his friends) may be impatient for him to finish, so he calls for Job's attention. Elihu claims that what he is saying is right because he voices God's perfect knowledge (verse 4; cf. : Elihu affirms that God is perfect in knowledge).
[Elihu said:] "For truly my words will not be false;
He who is perfect in knowledge is with you."[4]
Elihu's last speech is more compassionate and constructive than his previous three discourses. He focuses on the consequences of suffering rather than its cause, that suffering is God's discipline by which a person can be built up and be better. In the second part of this speech, Elihu voices a hymn of praise to God as Creator (Job 36:22–25; 26–29, 30–33; 37:1–5, 6–13). His words actually prepare for the divine appearance in chapter 38.
[Elihu said:] "For by these He judges the people;
He gives food in abundance."[6] Elihu draws a parallel between God's arrangements of natural world with God's government of human world; in both worlds, God is 'transcendent and in control'.
. Michael D. Coogan . The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 . Coogan . Michael David . Marc Zvi . Brettler . Carol Ann . Newsom . Pheme . Perkins . Augmented 3rd . Oxford University Press . 2007 . 9780195288810 .
. Henry Hampton Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary . 24th (revised). Zondervan Publishing House . 1965 . 0-310-25720-4.