What effect that sense which Elihu had of his youth or fewness of days produced in him, is set forth in these words; 'twas fear, I (saith he) was afraid, &c. There is, (as to this point) a twofold fear: First, a cowardly fear; Secondly, a modest fear; when Elihu saith, he was afraid, he doth not mean the fear of a coward; but of a modest man: it is not not cowardice to be afraid of doing many things, to fear to do those things which are unlawful, or which are uncomely, is no part of cowardice. This latter fear surprised or rather composed Elihu; ⟨p. 43⟩he was a man bold spirited enough, but modesty made him afraid to show his opinion. There is a great elegance in those words;1 I durst not show mine opinion; They imply, he hid his speech, as Serpents hide themselves when men approach. (Micah 7.17.) Serpents which are a terror to men, and make them afraid, are also afraid of men, their appearance causeth them to run and hide their heads. The Rabbins take much pains in their Criticisms about this word to express a virtuous modesty. As it is a duty to be (as Christ exhorts his Disciples to be) especially in times of persecution (Math: 10.10.) wise as Serpents, so it is a virtue to be fearful as Serpents, even to fear as much to be heard by some men, as Serpents fear to be seen by any man.2 Thus Elihu held down his head, he was afraid and durst not show his opinion suddenly, nor declare his judgement in the case, for the reverence he bare to those graver and elder heads.
What effect that sence which Elihu had of his youth or fewnesse of dayes produced in him, is set forth in these words; 'twas feare, I (saith he) was afraid, &c. There is, (as to this poynt) a twofold feare: First, a cowardly feare; Secondly, a modest feare; when Elihu saith, he was afraid, he doth not meane the feare of a coward; but of a modest man: it is not not cowardize to be afraid of doing many things, to feare to doe those things which are unlawfull, or which are uncomely, is no part of cowardize. This latter feare surprized or rather composed Elihu; ⟨p. 43⟩he was a man bold spirited enough, but modesty made him afraid to shew his opinion. There is a great elegancy in those words;1 I durst not shew mine opinion; They imply, he hid his speech, as Serpents hide themselves when men approach. (Micah 7.17.) Serpents which are a terrour to men, and make them afraid, are also afraid of men, their appearance causeth them to run and hide their heads. The Rabbins take much paines in their Criticismes about this word to expresse a vertuous modesty. As it is a duty to be (as Christ exhorts his Disciples to be) especially in times of persecution (Math: 10.10.) wise as Serpents, so it is a vertue to be fearefull as Serpents, even to feare as much to be heard by some men, as Serpents feare to be seene by any man.2 Thus Elihu held downe his head, he was afraid and durst not shew his opinion suddenly, nor declare his judgement in the case, for the reverence he bare to those graver and elder heads.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] est serpere & denotat timorem serpentum latebras quaerentium & videri metuentium. Aben Ezra.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 est serpere & denotat timorem serpentum latebras quaerentium & videri metuentium. Aben Ezra.
- 2Reptilium more dimisi me; unde vulgatus reddit, Demisso capite veritus sum. Drus: