Julian of Eclanum
Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 59 passages across 3 books
Commentary
Job 33:4-5
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
[Elihu] believes that with the aid of a comparison he can make some effective assertions against Job. “If you,” he says, “cannot reply to me, a creation of God, be certain that you will be much less able to reply to God, the Maker of everything.”
Job 33:8-11
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
This is what holy Job had said above, “Do you want me to reap the iniquities of my youth?” Therefore, [Elihu] refutes this as a blasphemy, that is, the fact that holy Job had believed that no fault could be found in him; he was blameless in his mature age but was punished severely for the errors committed in his youth.
Job 33:12-13
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
If you believe that you must also show this to those who are ungrateful, you will nonetheless consent that God is undoubtedly superior to all. Therefore, since he is also the first in justice and wisdom, he cannot appear to have done something that may incur your note of reproof.
Job 34:7-8
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
“Who is there like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water?” [Job is compared with one] who reproves God’s judgments, despises them and thinks that they must be considered vile. “Who goes in company with evildoers”; since he has an ill feeling against the judgments of God, he does not differ at all from those who are proven to be impious by the injustice of their actions.
Job 34:10-11
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
“Therefore, hear me, you who have sense, far be it from God that he should do wickedness. For according to their deeds he will repay them.” Since, according to the rules of debating, it is easier, in general, that they both lie rather than saying the truth. Here, as they speak against each other, it is nonetheless proven that the arguments of both are true. In fact, what Elihu says cannot be completely proved by holy Job to be false, and what Job asserts cannot be proven to be untrue. Therefore the fact that God repays according to the deeds of each one, though not in everybody, can be proven in many; on the other hand, Job is convinced by testimonies that God does not repay [many]. So, in a sense, it is evident that what both say is true: according to Elihu, [God] does not repay everybody; according to Job, he did not repay many.
Job 34:34-35
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
“Those who have sense will say to me.” It seems that, as his friends, with the silence that they have observed, approve and ascribe to their praise the fact that they have endured those arguments that were said by him, so holy Job praises himself for what he has demonstrated with his words.
Job 35:3-4
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
“He said, you do not like what is virtuous.” Elihu says that holy Job had a wrong opinion about God, and these words are gathered from his reflections, because God is offended by this fact, as Job ascribes to him the errors of others. “What advantage will you get if I sin?” This concept is even more evident in another passage, “What advantage did I get from not committing sin?” That is, What else would I have suffered because of the iniquity of my actions, if I received such misfortunes after my dedication to virtue? “I will answer you and your friends with you.” Since your friends taught you to agree with a wrong opinion about the judgments of God, so that you think to be righteous. Whereas God is unjust, now I will take care to answer in order to confute you and them.
Job 35:5
Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
The immensity itself of the unbounded separation [between God and humanity] can teach you that God may neither be offended by your evil actions, nor be benefited by your good deeds. “Look at the heavens and see; observe the clouds, which are higher than you.” Through the testimony of divine Providence he wants to accuse him of an impudent action, because he had said that he desired to have a trial with God on an equal level, and then he applies himself to approve the eminence of [God’s] works and benefits.
Job 36:1-4
Elihu also proceeded, and said,
The author of the book, while distributing the chapters of the different speeches to us, connects the words that follow to the beginning. Since he had stirred the attention of the listeners by discussing the providence of God, he also asks their patience for the things that he is about to say.
Job 36:14-15
They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
“They will die in the tempest of their soul, and their life among the effeminate.” Since he had said above, “God will not be humble before the powerful,” here he has rightly said that the one who through his scorn inflames the wrath of the avenger will die among the effeminate, that is, he deserves to be deprived of all his strength by the misfortunes that will happen to him. “He will take the poor away from his anguish and will reveal his ear in tribulation.” Through the voices of the facts themselves he will teach them that he has not forgotten the cry of the poor.
Job 37:20-22
Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
“But now they do not see the light; suddenly the sky is covered with clouds; and the passing wind will drive them away.” With his words he demonstrates how they do not see the light he demonstrates with his words by saying, “Suddenly the sky is covered with clouds”; the splendor of the sun is hidden by thick clouds and a darkened sky, but it is called back for the use of mortals through the repelling of the clouds. “From Aquilon comes gold.” “From Aquilon the golden-colored clouds [come], the great glory and honor of God is in them.” “From Aquilon gold comes.” He said “Aquilon” for the east and “gold” for dawn, which imitates the appearance of the shining metal with its glowing color. “And the timorous praise of God”; certainly the service of praising him is not taken without fear because of the immensity of his fame.
Job 38:18-21
Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
“Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness?” He says what he had said before but more clearly, that is, that the course of human life is regulated by the alternation of times, so that at one time people dedicate themselves to work; in another time, the vigor of the body, which exhaustion had taken away, is returned to them.“Did you know then that you would be born?” These words are not said without purpose but to demonstrate that God’s benevolence is the reason for everything. If you owe the fact that you exist to my benevolence, since you did not exist before, he says, how can you think that [benevolence] is denied to you, now that you live and are able to function?
Job 38:31-32
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
Since in ordering the complexity of the world, Providence did not lack the collaboration of [divine] power, Job now enumerates those things that evidently are an integral part of the power of the Creator. Another interpretation: even though the amount of space between them [i.e., the stars of Pleiades] might be small, your strength will never be able to accomplish this, that is, to force them together into a single place and location, after removing whatever it is that makes them distinct. Neither will you be able to change the turning about of Arctuaus (i.e., Ursa Minor) and move it to a location or region different from the one that I have set.
Job 40:12-14
Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
These words are not spoken with an offended mind but with zealous affection, so that they may be useful in consoling and instructing him and that he may understand that to perform such a great judgment is beyond human strength. “Then I will also acknowledge you that your own right hand can give you victory.” If you could play the role of such a judge, as I described it in my speech, evidently you would not need any further help.
Job 40:15
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Through the creation of such a hateful and tremendous beast people are given three opportunities of edification. They can recognize that the power of the Creator did not only make those beasts that would have served human beings but also fashioned those who frighten them; they can understand the goodness of Providence, because it removed those beasts that would have been deadly from the midst [of humans] and placed them in the wilderness. There they can learn how severe he is against vices. These [beasts] that are troublesome to mortals according to their size and strength are also subject to his regulation.
Job 41:34
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
This is the true description of the beast according to the faithful [understanding] of the story. There must be no doubt about their great size because of the power of the Creator. However, [these words] are also addressed to a plane of higher intellect, so that we may believe through them that something else is signified as well, and therefore the strength of spiritual iniquity may be perceived more easily in the image of the bodies. As these [beasts] are deadly for the body, so they are for human morality, and as the sin of pride must be imputed to them, so it must be punished.
Song of Solomon 1:10
Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
When the naturally beautiful neck is endowed with the adornment of jewels, such industry undoubtedly increases happiness and, as though they were worthy, the honor of necklaces and the loveliness of necks as well. This is also true with you, therefore, whose generosity is constituted by doctrine, so that discipline would perfect the virtues which nature began.
Song of Solomon 5:11
His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
Hair is also represented by another comparison, wherein the shape of its locks seems to mimic the brilliance of gold. “His hair is like waves of palms,” so that they would surely seem to be curly and golden.
Song of Solomon 8:1-4
O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.
Here are shown many infancies in her, from which we ought to learn. First, it was the Creator of everything that is born from the union of masculine and feminine who fabricated a body from a virgin without the assistance of a man. Next, no sin is congenital to humankind, since it comes forth surrounded by the truth of the flesh and free from stain. Finally, it is impious to ascribe our origin to the works of the devil, since it rejoices that the true God is not only its founder but also its inhabitant.