Job 36:16

KJV

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait [into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table [should be] full of fatness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even so would he have removed {H5496} thee out of the strait {H6310}{H6862} into a broad place {H7338}, where {H8478} there is no straitness {H4164}; and that which should be set {H5183} on thy table {H7979} should be full {H4390} of fatness {H1880}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Indeed [Iyov], he is drawing you away from distress to an untroubled open place, with rich food on your table.

Berean Standard Bible

Indeed, He drew you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and broad place, to a table full of richness.

American Standard Version

Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Job 36:16, Elihu, a younger counselor, articulates a profound aspect of God's redemptive purpose, suggesting that divine discipline, when rightly received, is intended to transition an individual from a state of severe distress and confinement ("straitness") into a condition of expansive freedom, abundant provision, and rich blessing. He posits that God's ultimate desire is not merely to punish, but to restore and lavishly provide for those who heed His instruction and turn towards Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Elihu's extensive speeches (Job 32-37), which serve as the final human attempt to explain Job's suffering before God Himself speaks. Elihu distinguishes himself from Job's three friends by asserting that God uses suffering not solely as punishment for sin, but often as a pedagogical tool—a means of instruction, correction, and refinement. He argues that God reveals Himself through affliction to lead individuals to repentance and a deeper relationship, thereby averting greater calamity and opening the door to restoration. In this particular passage, Elihu is hypothetically addressing Job, implying that if Job had responded with humility and understanding to God's disciplinary hand, he would have experienced a dramatic reversal of his fortunes, moving from his current anguish to a state of profound ease and prosperity. This statement serves as a hopeful, albeit conditional, promise within Elihu's theological framework.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, prosperity and a large, secure household were often seen as indicators of divine favor, while suffering and destitution were frequently interpreted as signs of divine displeasure or punishment for sin. The imagery used by Elihu—"straitness," "broad place," and a "table full of fatness"—resonates deeply with the cultural understanding of well-being and blessing. "Straitness" (or "narrowness") evoked feelings of being trapped, besieged, or in a desperate situation, akin to being confined in a narrow pass or a besieged city. Conversely, a "broad place" symbolized freedom, security, expansion, and the ability to move unhindered, often associated with safety and prosperity, as seen in the [deliverance of David](/psalm/18-19 "Psalm 18:19 - God's Deliverance into a Broad Place"). A "table full of fatness" was a vivid picture of lavish hospitality, abundant food, and material wealth, signifying not just survival but overflowing provision and a life of comfort and honor, a stark contrast to the famine and deprivation often experienced in the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Restoration and Deliverance**, emphasizing God's sovereign power and benevolent inclination to rescue individuals from their afflictions and lead them into a state of freedom and well-being. Elihu's argument posits that God is not merely a punisher but a deliverer. Secondly, the theme of **Prosperity and Abundance** is prominent, depicted through the imagery of the "broad place" and "table full of fatness," which symbolize not just relief from suffering but an overflowing measure of peace, security, and material blessings. This echoes the covenant blessings promised for faithfulness in the Old Testament, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Lastly, and perhaps most distinctly for Elihu, the verse underscores **God's Purpose in Suffering**. Elihu's unique contribution to the dialogue is his assertion that suffering can be a pedagogical tool, a means by which God disciplines and instructs His beloved, leading to spiritual growth, repentance, and ultimately, a deeper experience of God's grace and provision. This perspective aligns with later biblical teachings that God's discipline is a mark of His love, as articulated in [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - God Disciplines Those He Loves").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **strait (Hebrew, _mêṣar'_):** This term literally means "narrowness," "distress," or "confinement." It conveys a powerful sense of being hemmed in, oppressed, or in a desperate, constricted situation, both physically and emotionally. It speaks to a lack of options, a feeling of being trapped, and the acute pain associated with such circumstances. In Job's context, it perfectly describes his physical suffering, social isolation, and spiritual anguish.
* **broad place (Hebrew, _raḥav'_):** In stark contrast to "strait," _raḥav_ signifies "openness," "spaciousness," "freedom," and "expansion." It denotes a place of relief, security, and unhindered movement, where one is no longer confined by danger or distress. Biblically, it often symbolizes liberation, prosperity, and the enjoyment of God's favor, a place where life can flourish without constraint.
* **fatness (Hebrew, _dešen'_):** This word refers to "richness," "abundance," "fertility," or "fat." In the biblical idiom, "fatness" is a strong symbol of prosperity, well-being, and divine blessing. It implies not just sufficiency but overflowing provision—a table laden with the best, most nourishing food, indicative of a life of plenty, satisfaction, and robust health, both materially and spiritually.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait":** Elihu posits a hypothetical scenario for Job. The phrase "Even so" (or "Indeed, he would have enticed you") suggests that God's intention was to draw Job out of his current state of severe distress and confinement. The "strait" refers to Job's profound suffering, his physical pain, emotional anguish, and the social ostracism he experienced, which had left him feeling trapped and without recourse. Elihu implies that God's disciplinary hand was meant to be an invitation to a better path, leading to liberation from this constricted existence.
* **"[into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness":** This clause describes the destination of God's intended deliverance. The "broad place" is a metaphor for a state of freedom, security, and abundance, a place where all forms of confinement, pressure, and distress are absent. It signifies not merely relief from suffering, but a complete reversal of circumstances, leading to a life characterized by ease, peace, and unrestricted flourishing. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work.
* **"and that which should be set on thy table [should be] full of fatness":** This vivid imagery further elaborates on the nature of the promised abundance. The "table" symbolizes sustenance and provision, while "full of fatness" denotes lavish, rich, and overflowing blessings. It speaks to material prosperity, bountiful provision, and a life of satisfaction and plenty, far beyond mere survival. This implies that God's restoration is not minimal but exceedingly generous, reflecting His character as a provider who delights in blessing His children.

#### Literary Devices
Job 36:16 is rich with **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, painting a vivid picture of contrasting states. The central device is **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, juxtaposing "the strait" (מֵצַר, _mêṣar'_) with "a broad place, where there is no straitness" (רָחָב, _raḥav_). This stark opposition highlights the dramatic transformation God is capable of enacting—from confinement, distress, and anguish to freedom, security, and boundless ease. The "strait" metaphorically represents Job's current suffering, while the "broad place" symbolizes a state of liberation and well-being. Furthermore, the phrase "table full of fatness" employs **Synecdoche** (where "fatness" represents the abundance of the entire meal and, by extension, overall prosperity) and **Metaphor** to convey overflowing provision and rich blessing. This imagery appeals to the senses, evoking a tangible sense of comfort, satisfaction, and divine favor, making the promise of restoration deeply relatable and desirable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's perspective in Job 36:16, while not entirely complete in its understanding of suffering, nonetheless captures a crucial aspect of God's character: His desire for the well-being and flourishing of His people. He articulates a theology of divine discipline as a pathway to restoration, where God's hand, even in affliction, is ultimately aimed at leading individuals out of distress into a place of expansive freedom and abundant provision. This aligns with a broader biblical understanding that God's ultimate intention for His faithful is blessing and life, not perpetual suffering. It underscores the concept of God as a benevolent Father who uses various means, including hardship, to refine, instruct, and draw His children into a deeper experience of His grace and provision, ultimately leading them to a place of peace and prosperity, both spiritual and, at times, material.

* [Psalm 18:19](/psalm/18-19 "Psalm 18:19 - God's Deliverance into a Broad Place")
* [Psalm 23:5](/psalm/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - A Table Prepared in the Presence of Enemies")
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans for Welfare and Not for Calamity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 36:16 offers a powerful lens through which to view our own seasons of difficulty and limitation. It challenges us to consider that even when we feel hemmed in by circumstances, suffering, or spiritual dryness—our "straitness"—God may be at work, not merely to punish, but to draw us into a deeper understanding of His purposes and ultimately, to lead us into a "broad place" of greater freedom, peace, and abundance. This verse encourages a posture of hopeful expectation, reminding us that God's transformative power can turn even the most dire situations into opportunities for profound blessing. It calls us to trust in His character as a lavish provider who desires to set a "table full of fatness" before us, not just in material terms, but in spiritual richness, joy, and the fullness of His presence. Our response to perceived discipline or hardship can determine whether we remain in the "strait" or move into the "broad place" God intends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "straitened" or confined?**
* **How might God be using this "straitness" as an invitation to a "broad place" of growth or deeper trust?**
* **What does "a table full of fatness" mean to you, beyond material prosperity, in the context of God's provision?**
* **How can you cultivate a posture of openness to God's refining work, even when it is uncomfortable?**

### FAQ

**Does Elihu's view of suffering accurately represent God's character throughout the Bible?**

Answer: Elihu's view, while containing elements of truth, is a partial and incomplete understanding of suffering, particularly as revealed in the full biblical narrative. He correctly identifies that God uses suffering for discipline and instruction, aiming for restoration and growth (as seen in [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5 - God's Discipline") and [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11 - Do Not Despise the Lord's Discipline")). However, Elihu, like Job's other friends, operates within a limited framework that often links suffering directly to individual sin or a lack of proper response, failing to account for the complexities of suffering that are not punitive, such as suffering for righteousness' sake (e.g., [1 Peter 3:14](/1_peter/3-14 "1 Peter 3:14 - Suffering for Righteousness' Sake")), the suffering of the innocent, or suffering as part of God's larger, mysterious redemptive plan. The book of Job itself ultimately reveals that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, and suffering can serve purposes far grander than human understanding, not always directly tied to personal sin or a need for correction. While God does indeed desire to lead His people into a "broad place" of blessing, this is not always contingent on a specific human response to a specific disciplinary act, nor does it negate the reality of suffering in a fallen world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 36:16, though spoken by Elihu in a pre-Christian context, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is universally in "straitness"—confined by sin, enslaved by death, and alienated from God. This is the ultimate "narrow place" from which we cannot escape on our own. Christ, however, came to remove us from this spiritual "straitness." Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He broke the bonds of sin and death, offering true liberation. He leads us into a "broad place" of spiritual freedom, where "there is no straitness" of condemnation for those who are [in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus"). This "broad place" is the new covenant life, characterized by grace, peace with God, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the promise of a "table full of fatness" is fulfilled in the spiritual abundance found in Christ. He is the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering spiritual nourishment that truly satisfies, and He invites us to a feast of [His presence and provision](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundantly"). In Him, we receive not merely relief from spiritual destitution, but an overflowing measure of grace, forgiveness, eternal life, and all spiritual blessings, truly a table laden with the "fatness" of God's unfailing love and boundless resources.

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

Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalms 118:5

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

Psalms 18:19

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 63:5

My soul shall be satisfied as [with] marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise [thee] with joyful lips:

Psalms 31:8

And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Isaiah 25:6

¶ And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

Psalms 40:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.