Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Life. Job had intimated a fear to proceed any farther. Calmet.—But perceiving that he had not convinced his friends, he continues his discourse ( Bible.) in still stronger terms, yet so as to acknowledge the justice of God. Calmet.—Speech against. Hebrew “complaint upon, ( Bible.) or respecting myself,” I will deplore my misfortunes, ( Calmet.) or I will say no more about them. Menochius.
Verse 2. Judgest. Hebrew “contendest with me,” as with an enemy? Is it to punish some fault, or only to make thy grace shine forth? Calmet.
Verse 3. Calumniate permissively, by treating me in such a manner, that others lay false crimes to my charge. Hebrew “oppress and despise the work.”—Wicked, who are ready enough ( Bible.) to assert that virtue is useless, ( Calmet.) and that God mindeth not human affairs. My affliction will confirm them in their false notion, ( Bible.) and my friends will triumph as if their arguments were well founded. The devil will also exult. Calmet.—He knew that God could not be guilty of calumny, and inquireth why he is afflicted. Worthington.
Verse 4. Seeth, judging only of the exterior. Tirinus. verse 6.
Verse 5. Days, sometimes denote judgments. 1 Corinthians 4:3. Is God liable to change, like men, or does he stand in need of time to examine them, or fear lest they should escape? Calmet.—Is it necessary for him to prove his friends, to know their real dispositions? Sanctius.
Verse 7. Shouldst. Hebrew and Septuagint “Thou knowest that … and there,” and so forth Bible.—It would be vain for me to appeal to any other. Calmet.
Verse 8. Sudden, like a potter’s vessel? Job was reduced to misery all at once. Calmet.—He acknowledges that God may destroy him as his creature; but that character encourages him to hope for mercy, grace, and glory. Worthington.
Verse 10. Milked. Hebrew “poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?” Bible.—See Wisd. 7:1. The ancients explained our origin by the comparison of milk curdled, or cheese; (Arist. i. 10. Pliny vii. 15.) which the moderns have explained on more plausible principles. Calmet.—Yet still we may acknowledge our ignorance with the mother of Machabees. 2 Maccabees 7:22.
Verse 12. Thy fatherly visitation ( Bible.) but still preserved my life. Calmet.
Verse 13. Rememberest. Septuagint “canst do all things.” Hebrew “this is with thee.” Bible.—I am convinced that thou still regardest me with affection, though it would appear as if thou hadst forgotten me. Calmet.
Verse 14. Iniquity? Punishing me for the sins which seemed to be pardoned. Calmet.—Hebrew “If I sin, then thou makest me, and wilt not suffer; ( Bible.) or if thou hast not pardoned my iniquity: (15) And,” and so forth Calmet.
Verse 15. Woe. Thou wilt not suffer me to pass unpunished. Calmet.—Head. I will adore in silence. Calmet. 9:15, 31. Ven. Bede. Calmet.
Verse 16. Pride. If I give way to pride, thou wilt pull me down, though I were as fierce and strong as a lioness. Hebrew “for it (affliction) increaseth. Thou huntest me.” Prot.—Returning. Hebrew and Septuagint “again.” Bible.
Verse 17. Witnesses, afflictions; ( Menochius.) “wounds.” Pagnin. Tirinus.
Verse 20. Lament. Hebrew “take comfort,” ( Bible.) or breath. Calmet.—Repentance is always necessary, but more particularly at the hour of death. Worthington.
Verse 21. Death, to the grave, or to hell, ( Calmet.) if my sins deserve it. Bible.
Verse 22. Horror. At death all distinction of ranks is at an end. Tirinus.—Hebrew “where the light is as darkness.” Prot. Septuagint “To the land of eternal darkness, where there is no sound, nor life of mortals to see.” Bible.