Job 36:23

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Who has enjoined him his way? or who can say, You have worked iniquity?

American King James Version (AKJV)

Who has enjoined him his way? or who can say, You have worked iniquity?

American Standard Version (ASV)

Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Who ever gave orders to him, or said to him, You have done wrong?

Webster's Revision

Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

World English Bible

Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'

English Revised Version (ERV)

Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Definitions for Job 36:23

Iniquity - Sin; wickedness; evil.
Wrought - Worked; made.

Clarke's Job 36:23 Bible Commentary

Who hath enjoined him his way - Has God taken instructions from any man how he shall govern the world?

Thou hast wrought iniquity? - Who can prove, in the whole compass of the creation, that there is one thing imperfect, superabundant, or out of its place? Who can show that there is, in the course of the Divine providence, one unrighteous, cruel, or unwise act? All the cunning and wickedness of man have never been able to find out the smallest flaw in the work of God.

Barnes's Job 36:23 Bible Commentary

Who hath enjoined him his way? - Who hath prescribed to him what he ought to do? Who is superior to him, and has marked out for him the plan which he ought to pursue? The idea is, that God is supreme and independent; no one has advised him, and no one has a right to counsel him. Perhaps, also, Elihu designs this as a reproof to Job for having complained so much of the government of God, and for being disposed, as he thought, to "prescribe" to God what he should do.

Who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? - Thou hast done wrong. The object of Elihu is here to show that no one has a right to say this; no one could, in fact, say it. It was to be regarded as an indisputable point that God is always right, and that however dark his dealings with people may seem, the "reason" why they are mysterious "never is, that God is wrong."