Job 23

Verse 2. Bitterness. Instead of comfort, he only meets with insult from his friends. He therefore appeals to God, ( Worthington.) but with fear. Calmet.—Scourge, is not in Hebrew Menochius.—But it explains the meaning of “my hand,” ( Bible.) or the heavy chastisement (Saint Gregory) which I endure. Menochius.

Verse 6. Nor. Prot. “No, but he would put strength in me.” He would enable me to stand my trial. Bible.—He would lay no falsehood to my charge.

Verse 7. Victory. Before such a judge I should hope to be acquitted. Job must have been well convinced of his innocence. For woe to man, if God treat him according to the rigour of his justice! Calmet.—Septuagint “For truth and reproof are with him. But, oh! that he would bring my judgment to an end.” Bible.

Verse 8. East, or Hebrew “before … if behind I cannot perceive him.” Calmet.—Where, then, shall I find this just judge? verse 3. Bible.

Verse 9. Right, southward.—See. The southern part of the heavens, or the antarctic stars would not be discerned in Idumea. Calmet. 9:9. Calmet.—Job speaks in a human manner, as he was not ignorant of God’s immensity. Menochius.

Verse 10. Fire. They had not a stone, like the Greeks, to try gold. Calmet.

Verse 12. Lips, given to Noe, (Genesis 9:5) or to Moses. This work was written by a Jew, who dresses up the sentiments of Job in his own style. The holy man was also acquainted with the Mosaic dispensation, though he was not bound to observe the ceremonial part of it. Calmet.—His words, may, however, be verified, though he speak only of the natural law, or of that which was preserved by tradition of the patriarchs, as both proceeded from God. Bible.—Hid. Prot. “esteemed … more than my necessary food.” Bible.—Septuagint agree with the Vulg. The ancients placed in their bosom what they greatly esteemed. The Turks still use it as a pocket. Thevenot xxii. Calmet.

Verse 13. Alone. Self-existent. Hebrew “in one thing,” or resolution. He is immutable: all I could say would avail nothing. Calmet.

Verse 14. With him, to punish me afresh. Hebrew “when he shall have appointed me my portion, he shall still have many such.” He may treat me as a slave, allowing me only a certain portion of meat. Proverbs 30:8 and 31:15. Calmet.

Verse 17. Face. My afflictions have not yet taken away my life, as might have been expected. Bible.—I am less affected with my miseries, than with the dread of God’s presence, verse 15, 16. Calmet.