Job 36:10

KJV

He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

He openeth {H1540} also their ear {H241} to discipline {H4148}, and commandeth {H559} that they return {H7725} from iniquity {H205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He sounds a warning in their ears and orders them to repent of their evil.

Berean Standard Bible

He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity.

American Standard Version

He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 36:10, spoken by Elihu, profoundly illustrates God's active and merciful intervention in human lives, particularly His methods of bringing individuals to a state of spiritual receptivity and repentance. The verse reveals that God, in His sovereign wisdom, takes the initiative to make people attentive to His instruction and correction, subsequently issuing a divine mandate for them to turn away from their sinful ways. This highlights God's patient desire for humanity's transformation and restoration, emphasizing that even through challenging circumstances, His ultimate goal is to draw people back to Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 36:10 is situated within Elihu's fourth and final discourse (Job 36:1-37:24). Elihu, a younger man, positions himself as a mediator, seeking to justify God's ways to Job and his friends. Unlike the previous three friends who primarily accused Job of sin as the direct cause of his suffering, Elihu introduces a more nuanced theological perspective. He argues that God uses suffering not merely as punitive judgment but often as a pedagogical tool—a means of instruction, purification, and a call to deeper communion. In chapters 36-37, Elihu emphasizes God's omnipotence, justice, and wisdom, asserting that God is actively involved in human affairs, often through adversity, to reveal hidden faults and guide individuals toward righteousness. This specific verse encapsulates Elihu's core argument that God's discipline is redemptive and instructional, designed to lead to repentance rather than simply to punish.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely a region east of Palestine, during a patriarchal period, indicated by the long lifespans and the nature of wealth (livestock). The cultural context is one where divine retribution for sin was a widely accepted theological framework, particularly among Job's friends. Suffering was often directly correlated with personal sin, a belief system Elihu partially challenges by introducing the concept of suffering as a refining process. The idea of God "opening the ear" resonates with ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine revelation, where prophets or wise men would receive divine messages. The emphasis on "discipline" (Hebrew _musar_) aligns with the wisdom tradition prevalent in the ancient world, where instruction and correction were seen as vital for moral and spiritual formation, often involving a father-son dynamic.
* **Key Themes:** Job 36:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Corrective Discipline**, where suffering is reframed as a means of divine instruction rather than solely punishment. Elihu posits that God's discipline is purposeful, designed to bring about spiritual growth and understanding, echoing the New Testament's teaching that God disciplines those He loves for their good, that they may share in His holiness, as seen in [Hebrews 12:10-11](/hebrews/12-10 "Hebrews 12:10-11 - God's Discipline for Our Good"). Another vital theme is **Divine Initiative in Revelation and Repentance**. The phrase "He openeth also their ear" underscores God's sovereign role in making individuals receptive to His truth and warnings. Humanity, left to its own devices, might remain spiritually deaf, but God actively intervenes to break through this deafness, much like the Lord [opened the heart of Lydia](/acts/16-14 "Acts 16:14 - Lydia's Heart Opened") to heed Paul's message. This leads directly to the theme of **God's Call to Repentance**, where the command to "return from iniquity" highlights God's profound desire for humanity's restoration and salvation, a desire reiterated in [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Openeth (Hebrew, _pataḥ_):** This verb signifies to "open," "unclasp," or "unfold." In the context of "ear," it denotes a divine action that makes one receptive, attentive, or understanding. It implies that spiritual receptivity is not merely a human choice but often initiated by a sovereign act of God, enabling individuals to perceive and comprehend divine truth or warning that they otherwise would not.
* **Discipline (Hebrew, _musar_):** This rich term encompasses instruction, correction, chastisement, moral training, and even punishment. It refers to a comprehensive process of education and guidance designed to shape character, instill wisdom, and lead to righteous living. It is not solely punitive but primarily remedial and formative, aiming at the individual's ultimate good and spiritual maturity.
* **Return (Hebrew, _shuv_):** This verb is a foundational concept in biblical theology, meaning "to turn back," "to repent," or "to restore." It implies a change of direction, a turning away from a former path (iniquity) and a turning towards God and His ways. It is the active response to God's discipline and command, signifying genuine repentance and a reorientation of life.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _'awon_):** This term denotes perversity, guilt, moral evil, or sin. It signifies a deviation from what is right, a distortion of justice, or a deliberate turning away from God's standards. It carries the connotation of the burden of guilt and the consequence of wrongdoing, from which God commands a return.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He openeth also their ear to discipline":** This clause describes God's active, divine initiative in making individuals receptive to His instruction and correction. The "ear" here is a metaphor for spiritual understanding, attentiveness, and willingness to obey. God, through various means—which Elihu suggests can include suffering, dreams, or direct revelation—supernaturally enables a person to hear and internalize His message of discipline. This opening is not just a physical act but a spiritual one, breaking through human resistance or deafness to divine truth.
* **"and commandeth that they return from iniquity":** This second clause reveals the purpose and expected outcome of God's opening of the ear to discipline. Once made receptive, individuals are confronted with a divine imperative: to turn away from their sinful ways. The word "commandeth" (from _'amar_, "to say" or "to command") underscores the authoritative nature of this call. It is not merely an invitation but a divine summons to repentance, a call to abandon moral evil and reorient one's life towards righteousness and God's standards.

#### Literary Devices
Job 36:10 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "He openeth also their ear." The "ear" here is not merely a physical organ but a metaphorical representation of spiritual understanding, receptivity, and obedience. God's "opening" of this ear signifies His sovereign act of enabling a person to perceive and respond to divine truth, breaking through spiritual deafness or stubbornness. There is also a strong sense of **Divine Anthropomorphism**, where human actions (opening an ear, commanding) are attributed to God, making His active involvement in human affairs more relatable and understandable. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the two clauses, though not strictly synonymous or antithetical, present a cause-and-effect or sequential relationship: God's initiative in making one receptive ("openeth...ear to discipline") leads to His authoritative call for a response ("commandeth that they return from iniquity"). This structure emphasizes the divine process from revelation to repentance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 36:10 provides profound insights into the character of God and His redemptive purposes. It underscores God's active involvement in human lives, not merely as a distant observer but as a loving Father who takes the initiative to instruct and correct His children. This verse challenges the simplistic notion that all suffering is punitive, introducing the concept of suffering as a pedagogical tool designed to cultivate spiritual growth and lead to repentance. It highlights God's deep desire for humanity's restoration, revealing His patience and His authoritative call for individuals to turn from sin. The divine opening of the "ear" signifies that genuine spiritual understanding and the capacity to respond to God's call are ultimately gifts of grace, enabling humanity to align with His righteous will.

* [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - Do not despise the Lord's discipline")
* [Hebrews 12:5-6](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-6 - God disciplines those He loves")
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's patience leading to repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 36:10 serves as a powerful reminder of God's continuous, gracious work in our lives. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and receptivity, recognizing that God often uses various means—including challenging circumstances, the counsel of others, or the direct conviction of the Holy Spirit—to "open our ear" to His discipline. Instead of resisting correction or becoming defensive in the face of adversity, we are invited to prayerfully discern what God might be teaching us, trusting that His discipline is always rooted in love and aimed at our ultimate good. This verse also compels us to respond actively to God's "command" to return from iniquity. True repentance is not merely regret for past wrongs but a decisive turning away from sin and a conscious reorientation of our lives towards God's righteous standards. Embracing this divine process leads to deeper intimacy with God, spiritual maturity, and a life that increasingly reflects His character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be "opening your ear to discipline" in your current circumstances?**
* **What specific "iniquities" is God calling you to "return from" in your life right now?**
* **How does understanding God's discipline as an act of love change your perspective on difficult situations?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate greater spiritual receptivity to God's voice and correction?**

### FAQ
**Does God use suffering to discipline people?**

Answer: Yes, according to Elihu's discourse in Job and other biblical texts, God can and does use suffering, adversity, and challenging circumstances as a form of discipline. This discipline is not always punitive for specific sins but often serves as a pedagogical tool, intended to instruct, refine, purify, and draw individuals closer to Him. The purpose is redemptive: to open our spiritual ears, reveal hidden faults, and prompt us to "return from iniquity." This is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, as seen in [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - Do not despise the Lord's discipline") and [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for Our Good"), which explicitly state that God disciplines those He loves for their good, that they may share in His holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 36:10, with its emphasis on God's initiative in opening ears to discipline and commanding a return from iniquity, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Word made flesh, the perfect revelation of God, who fully embodies the divine discipline and the call to repentance. Jesus Himself declared, "[The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Jesus' Call to Repentance")." Through His life, teaching, and especially His atoning sacrifice, Christ perfectly demonstrates God's corrective love. He bore the ultimate discipline for our iniquity on the cross, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ became sin for us")). Furthermore, it is through the work of the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, that hearts and "ears" are truly opened to receive the gospel and respond in repentance and faith ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Holy Spirit convicts of sin")). Jesus is the one who enables us to truly "return from iniquity" by providing forgiveness, new life, and the power to walk in obedience, fulfilling God's desire for our complete restoration and reconciliation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Job 36:15

¶ He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.

Isaiah 55:6

¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 48:17

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go.

Proverbs 8:4

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man.

Proverbs 8:5

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.