 | at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. |  |
Job 1:1
1:1 There was a man in the land of {a} Uz, whose name [was] Job;
and that man was perfect and {b} upright, and {c} one that
feared God, and eschewed evil.
The Argument - In this history the example of patience is set
before our eyes. This holy man Job was not only extremely
afflicted in outward things and in his body, but also in his
mind and conscience, by the sharp temptation of his wife and
friends: who by their vehement words and subtle disputations
brought him almost to despair. They set forth God as a
sincere judge, and mortal enemy to him who had cast him off,
therefore in vain he should seek him for help. These friends
came to him under pretence of consolation, and yet they
tormented him more than all his afflictions did. Even so, he
constantly resisted them, and eventually succeeded. In this
story we must note that Job maintains a good cause, but
handles it badly. His adversaries have an evil matter, but
they defend it craftily. Job held that God did not always
punish men according to their sins, but that he had secret
judgments, of which man knew not the cause, and therefore
man could not reason against God in it, but he should be
convicted. Moreover, he was assured that God had not
rejected him, yet through his great torments and afflictions
he speaks many inconveniences and shows himself as a
desperate man in many things, and as one that would resist
God, and this is his good cause which he handles well. Again
the adversaries maintain with many good arguments that God
punishes continually according to the trespass, grounding on
God's providence, his justice and man's sins, yet their
intention is evil; for they labour to bring Job into
despair, and so they maintain an evil cause. Ezekiel commends
Job as a just man, Eze 14:14 and James sets out his
patience for an example, Jas 5:11.
(a) That is, of the country of Idumea, La 4:21, or
bordering on it: for the land was called by the name of
Uz, the son of Dishan, the son of Seir Ge 36:28.
(b) Since he was a Gentile and not a Jew and yet is
pronounced upright and without hypocrisy, it declares
that among the heathen God revealed himself.
(c) By this it is declared what is meant by an upright and
just man.
Job 1:3
1:3 His {d} substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three
thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five
hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this
man was the greatest of all the men of {e} the east.
(d) His children and riches are declared, to commend his
virtue in his prosperity and his patience and constancy
when God took them from him.
(e) Meaning, the Arabians, Chaldeans, Idumeans etc.
Job 1:5
1:5 And it was so, when the days of [their] feasting were gone
about, that Job sent and {f} sanctified them, and rose up
early in the morning, and {g} offered burnt offerings
[according] to the number of them all: for Job said, It may
be that my sons have sinned, and {h} cursed God in their
hearts. Thus did Job {i} continually.
(f) That is, commanded them to be sanctified: meaning, that
they should consider the faults that they had committed,
and reconcile themselves for the same.
(g) That is, he offered for each of his children an offering
of reconciliation, which declared his religion toward
God, and the care that he had for his children.
(h) In Hebrew it is, "blessed God", which is sometimes taken
for blaspheming and cursing, as it is here and in
1Ki 21:10,13.
(i) While the feast lasted.
Job 1:6
1:6 Now there was a day when the {k} sons of God came to present
themselves {l} before the LORD, and Satan {m} came also
among them.
(k) Meaning the angels, who are called the sons of God
because they are willing to execute his will.
(l) Because our infirmity cannot comprehend God in his
majesty, he is set forth to us as a King, that our
capacity may be able to understand that which is spoken
of him.
(m) This declares that although Satan is an adversary to
God, yet he is compelled to obey him, and do him all
homage, without whose permission and appointment he can
do nothing.
Job 1:7
1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence {n} comest thou? Then
Satan answered the LORD, and said, {o} From going to and fro
in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
(n) This question is asked for our infirmity: for God knew
where he had come from.
(o) In this is described the nature of Satan, which is
always seeking his prey, 1Pe 5:8.
Job 1:9
1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God
for {p} nought?
(p) He fears you not for your own sake, but for the blessing
that he received from you.
Job 1:10
1:10 Hast not thou made {q} an hedge about him, and about his
house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast
blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is
increased in the land.
(q) Meaning, the grace of God, which served Job as a
rampart against all temptations.
Job 1:11
1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and {r} touch all that he
hath, and he will curse thee to {s} thy face.
(r) This signifies that Satan is not able to touch us, but
it is God that must do it.
(s) Satan notes the vice to which men are commonly
subjected, that is, to hide their rebellion and to be
content with God in the time of prosperity which view
is disclosed in the time of their adversity.
Job 1:12
1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is]
in {t} thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine
hand. So Satan went forth from the {u} presence of the
LORD.
(t) God does not give Satan power over man to gratify him,
but to declare that he has no power over man, but that
which God gives him.
(u) That is, went to execute that which God had permitted
him to do for else he can never go out of God's
presence.
Job 1:15
1:15 And the {x} Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away;
yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the
sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
(x) That is, the Arabians.
Job 1:16
1:16 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and
said, The {y} fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath
burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them;
and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
(y) Which was also done by the craft of Satan, to tempt Job
even more grievously, so he might see that not only men
were his enemies, but that God made war against him.
Job 1:18
1:18 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and
said, Thy {z} sons and thy daughters [were] eating and
drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
(z) This last plague declares that when one plague is past
which seems hard to bear, God can send us another far
more grievous, to try his and teach them obedience.
Job 1:20
1:20 Then Job arose, and {a} rent his mantle, and shaved his
head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
(a) Which came not from impatience, but declares that the
children of God are not insensible like blocks, but
that in their patience they feel affliction and grief
of mind: yet they do not rebel against God as the
wicked do.
Job 1:21
1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return {b} thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD
hath taken away; {c} blessed be the name of the LORD.
(b) That is, into the belly of the earth, which is the
mother of all.
(c) By this he confesses that God is just and good,
although his hand is sore on him.
Job 1:22
1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God {d} foolishly.
(d) But declared that God did all things according to
justice and equity.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 2:1
2:1 Again there was a day when the {a} sons of God came to
present themselves before the LORD, and {b} Satan came also
among them to present himself before the LORD.
(a) That is, the angels, Job 1:6.
(b) Read Job 1:6.
Job 2:3
2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my
servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a
perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and
escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, {c}
although thou movedst me against {d} him, to destroy him
without cause.
(c) He proves Job's integrity by this that he ceased not to
fear God when his plagues were grievously upon him.
(d) That is, when you had nothing against him, or when you
were not able to bring your purpose to pass.
Job 2:4
2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, {e} Skin for skin,
yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
(e) By this he means that a man's own skin is dearer to him
than another man's.
Job 2:5
2:5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his {f} bone and his
flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
(f) Meaning, his own person.
Job 2:6
2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand;
but save {g} his life.
(g) Thus Satan can go no further in punishing than God has
limited him.
Job 2:7
2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote
Job with sore {h} boils from the sole of his foot unto his
crown.
(h) This sore was most vehement, with which God also plagued
the Egyptians, Ex 9:9 and threatened to punish
rebellious people, De 28:27 so that this
temptation was most grievous: for if Job had measured
God's favour by the vehemency of his disease, he might
have thought that God had cast him off.
Job 2:8
2:8 And he took him a {i} potsherd to scrape himself withal; and
he sat down among the ashes.
(i) As destitute of all other help and means and wonderfully
afflicted with the sorrow of his disease.
Job 2:9
2:9 Then said his {k} wife unto him, Dost thou {l} still retain
thine integrity? {m} curse God, and die.
(k) Satan uses the same instrument against Job, as he did
against Adam.
(l) Meaning, what do you gain from serving God, seeing he
thus plagues you, as though he were your enemy? This is
the most grievous temptation for the faithful, when
their faith is assailed, and when Satan goes about to
persuade them that they trust in God in vain.
(m) For death was appointed to the blasphemer and so she
meant that he would quickly be rid of his pain.
Job 2:10
2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish
women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of
God, and shall we not {n} receive evil? In all this did not
Job sin with his {o} lips.
(n) That is, to be patient in adversity as we rejoice when
he sends prosperity, and so to acknowledge him to be
both merciful and just.
(o) He so bridled his desires that his tongue through
impatience did not murmur against God.
Job 2:11
2:11 Now when Job's three {p} friends heard of all this evil
that was come upon him, they came every one from his own
place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and
Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment
together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
(p) Who were men of authority, wise and learned, and as the
Septuagint writes, kings, and came to comfort him, but
when they saw how he was visited, they conceived an
evil opinion of him, as though he was a hypocrite and
so justly plagued by God for his sins.
Job 2:12
2:12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him
not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent
every one his mantle, and sprinkled {q} dust upon their
heads toward heaven.
(q) This was also a ceremony which they used in those
countries as the renting of their clothes in sign of
sorrow etc.
Job 2:13
2:13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and
seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw
that [his] grief was very {r} great.
(r) And therefore thought that he would not have listened
to their counsel.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 3:1
3:1 After this opened {a} Job his mouth, and {b} cursed his day.
(a) The seven days ended, Job 2:13.
(b) Here Job begins to feel his great imperfection in this
battle between the spirit and the flesh, Ro 7:18
and after a manner yields yet in the end he gets victory
though he was in the mean time greatly wounded.
Job 3:3
3:3 Let the day {c} perish wherein I was born, and the night [in
which] it was said, There is a man child conceived.
(c) Men should not be weary of their life and curse it,
because of the infinities that it is subject to, but
because they are given to sin and rebellion against God.
Job 3:4
3:4 Let that day be darkness; let not God {d} regard it from
above, neither let the light shine upon it.
(d) Let it be put out of the number of days, and let it not
have the sight of the sun to separate it from the night.
Job 3:5
3:5 Let darkness and the {e} shadow of death stain it; let a
cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify
it.
(e) That is, most obscure darkness, which makes them afraid
of death that they are in it.
Job 3:8
3:8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are {f} ready to
raise up their mourning.
(f) Who curse the day of their birth, let them lay that
curse on this night.
Job 3:9
3:9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look
for light, but [have] none; neither let it {g} see the
dawning of the day:
(g) Let it be always night, and never see day.
Job 3:11
3:11 {h} Why died I not from the womb? [why] did I [not] give up
the ghost when I came out of the belly?
(h) This, and that which follows declares, that when man
gives place to his passions, he is not able to stay or
keep measure, but runs headlong into all evil unless
God calls him back.
Job 3:13
3:13 For now should I have {i} lain still and been quiet, I
should have slept: then had I been at rest,
(i) The vehemency of his afflictions made him utter these
words as though death was the end of all miseries, and
as if there were no life after this, which he speaks
not as though it were so, but the infirmities of his
flesh caused him to break out in this error of the
wicked.
Job 3:14
3:14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built {k}
desolate places for themselves;
(k) He notes the ambition of them who for their pleasure as
it were change the order of nature, and build in most
barren places, because they would by this make their
names immortal.
Job 3:17
3:17 There the wicked {l} cease [from] troubling; and there the
weary be at rest.
(l) That is, by death the cruelty of the tyrants has
ceased.
Job 3:18
3:18 [There] the {m} prisoners rest together; they hear not the
voice of the oppressor.
(m) All they who sustain any kind of calamity and misery in
this world: which he speaks after the judgment of the
flesh.
Job 3:20
3:20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and {n}
life unto the bitter [in] soul;
(n) He shows that the benefits of God are not comfortable,
unless the heart is joyful, and the conscience quieted.
Job 3:23
3:23 [Why is light given] to a man whose way is {o} hid, and
whom God hath hedged in?
(o) That sees not how to come out of his miseries, because
he does not depend on God's providence.
Job 3:25
3:25 For the thing which I greatly {p} feared is come upon me,
and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
(p) In my prosperity I looked for a fall, as it now has come
to pass.
Job 3:26
3:26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I
quiet; {q} yet trouble came.
(q) The fear of troubles that would ensue, caused my
prosperity to seem to me as nothing, and yet I am not
exempted from trouble.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 4:2
4:2 [If] we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?
but {a} who can withhold himself from speaking?
(a) Seeing your impatience.
Job 4:3
4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou {b} hast
strengthened the weak hands.
(b) You have comforted others in their afflictions but you
cannot now comfort yourself.
Job 4:6
4:6 [Is] not [this] thy {c} fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and
the uprightness of thy ways?
(c) He concludes that Job was a hypocrite and had no true
fear or trust in God.
Job 4:7
4:7 Remember, I pray thee, who [ever] perished, being {d}
innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
(d) He concludes that Job was reproved seeing that God
handles him so extremely, which is the argument that the
carnal men make against the children of God.
Job 4:8
4:8 Even as I have seen, they that {e} plow iniquity, and sow
wickedness, reap the same.
(e) They who do evil cannot but receive evil.
Job 4:9
4:9 By the {f} blast of God they perish, and by the breath of
his nostrils are they consumed.
(f) He shows that God needs no great preparation to destroy
his enemies: for he can do it with the blast of his
mouth.
Job 4:10
4:10 The roaring of the {g} lion, and the voice of the fierce
lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
(g) Though men according to their office do not punish
tyrants (whom for their cruelty he compares to lions,
and their children to their whelps) yet God is able and
his justice will punish them.
Job 4:12
4:12 Now a thing was {h} secretly brought to me, and mine ear
received a little thereof.
(h) A thing I did not know before was declared to me by
vision, that is that whoever thinks himself just will
be found a sinner when he comes before God.
Job 4:14
4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones
{i} to shake.
(i) In these visions which God shows to his creatures,
there is always a certain fear joined, that the
authority of it might be had in greater reverence.
Job 4:16
4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof:
an image [was] before mine eyes, [there was] {k} silence,
and I heard a voice, [saying],
(k) When all things were quiet or when the fear was
relieved as God appeared to Elijah, 1Ki 19:12.
Job 4:17
4:17 Shall mortal man be more {l} just than God? shall a man be
more pure than his maker?
(l) He proves that if God punished the innocent, the
creature would be more just than the creator, which was
blasphemy.
Job 4:18
4:18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his {m} angels
he charged with folly:
(m) If God finds imperfection in his angels when they are
not maintained by his power, how much more shall he lay
folly to man's charge when he would justify himself
against God?
Job 4:19
4:19 How much less [in] them that dwell in houses of {n} clay,
whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed
before the moth?
(n) That is, in this mortal body, subject to corruption, as
in 2Co 5:1.
Job 4:20
4:20 They are destroyed from {o} morning to evening: they perish
for ever {p} without any regarding [it].
(o) They see death continually before their eyes and daily
approaching them.
(p) No man for all this considers it.
Job 4:21
4:21 Doth not their excellency [which is] in them go away? they
die, even without {q} wisdom.
(q) That is, before any of them were so wise, as to think
of death.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 5:1
5:1 Call now, if there be any that will {a} answer thee; and to
which of the saints wilt thou turn?
(a) He wills Job to consider the example of all who have
lived or live godly, whether any of them are like him in
raging against God as he does.
Job 5:2
5:2 For {b} wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the
silly one.
(b) Murmuring against God in afflictions increases the pain,
and uttered man's folly.
Job 5:3
5:3 I have seen the {c} foolish taking root: but suddenly I {d}
cursed his habitation.
(c) That is, the sinner that does not have the fear of God.
(d) I was not moved by his prosperity but knew that God had
cursed him and his.
Job 5:4
5:4 His {e} children are far from safety, and they are crushed
in the {f} gate, neither [is there] any to deliver [them].
(e) Though God sometimes allows the father's to pass in this
world, yet his judgments will light on their wicked
children.
(f) By public judgment they will be condemned and no one
will pity them.
Job 5:5
5:5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out
of the {g} thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their
substance.
(g) Though there are only two or three ears left in the
hedges, yet these will be taken from him.
Job 5:6
5:6 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, {h}
neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
(h) That is, the earth is not the cause of barrenness and
man's misery, but his own sin.
Job 5:7
5:7 Yet man is born unto {i} trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
(i) Which declares that sin is always in our corrupt nature:
for before sin it was not subject to pain and affliction.
Job 5:8
5:8 I would seek unto {k} God, and unto God would I commit my
cause:
(k) If I suffered as you do, I would seek God.
Job 5:9
5:9 Which {l} doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous
things without number:
(l) He counsels Job to humble himself to God to whom all
creatures are subject and whose works declare that man
is inexcusable unless he glorifies God in all his works.
Job 5:10
5:10 Who {m} giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon
the fields:
(m) He shows by particular examples what the works of God
are.
Job 5:14
5:14 They meet with {n} darkness in the daytime, and {o} grope
in the noonday as in the night.
(n) In things plain and evident they show themselves fools
instead of wise men.
(o) This declares that God punishes the worldly wise as he
threatened in De 28:29.
Job 5:15
5:15 But he saveth the {p} poor from the sword, from their {q}
mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
(p) That is, he who humbles himself before God.
(q) He compares the slander of the wicked to sharp swords.
Job 5:16
5:16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity {r} stoppeth her mouth.
(r) If the wicked are compelled by God's works to shut
their mouths, how much more they who profess God.
Job 5:19
5:19 He shall deliver thee in {s} six troubles: yea, in seven
there shall no evil touch thee.
(s) He will send trouble after trouble that his children
may not for one time, but continually trust in him: but
they sill have a comfortable issue, even in the
greatest and the last, which is here called the
seventh.
Job 5:22
5:22 At destruction and famine thou shalt {t} laugh: neither
shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
(t) While the wicked lament in their troubles, you will
have occasion to rejoice.
Job 5:23
5:23 For thou {u} shalt be in league with the stones of the
field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with
thee.
(u) When we are in God's favour, all creatures will serve
us.
Job 5:24
5:24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle [shall be] in
peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not
{x} sin.
(x) God will so bless you that you will have opportunity to
rejoice in all things, and not be offended.
Job 5:26
5:26 Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in {y} a full age, like as a
shock of corn cometh in his season.
(y) Though the children of God have not always carried out
this promise, yet God recompenses it otherwise to their
advantage.
Job 5:27
5:27 Lo {z} this, we have searched it, so it [is]; hear it, and
know thou [it] for thy good.
(z) We have learned these points by experience, that God
does not punish the innocent, that man cannot compare
in justice with him, that the hypocrites will not
prosper for long, and that the affliction which man
sustains comes for his own sin.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 6:2
6:2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity
laid in the {a} balances together!
(a To know whether I complain without just cause.
Job 6:3
6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea:
therefore my words are {b} swallowed up.
(b) My grief is so great that I lack words to express it.
Job 6:4
6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison
whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do {c} set
themselves in array against me.
(c) Which declares that he was not only afflicted in body,
but wounded in conscience, which is the greatest battle
that the faithful can have.
Job 6:5
6:5 Doth the {d} wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the
ox over his fodder?
(d) Do you think that I cry without cause, seeing the brute
beasts do not complain when they have what they want.
Job 6:6
6:6 Can that which is {e} unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is
there [any] taste in the white of an egg?
(e) Can a man's taste delight in that, which has no savour?
meaning that no one takes pleasure in affliction seeing
they cannot do away with things that are unsavoury to
the mouth.
Job 6:8
6:8 Oh that I might have my {f} request; and that God would
grant [me] the thing that I long for!
(f) In this he sins double, both in wishing through
impatience to die, and also in desiring of God a thing
which was not agreeable to his will.
Job 6:10
6:10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself
in sorrow: let him not spare; {g} for I have not concealed
the words of the Holy One.
(g) That is, let me die at once before I come to distrust
God's promise through my impatience.
Job 6:11
6:11 What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is]
mine {h} end, that I should prolong my life?
(h) He fears lest he should be brought to inconveniences,
if his sorrows should continue.
Job 6:13
6:13 [Is] not my {i} help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from
me?
(i) Have I not sought to help myself as much as was
possible?
Job 6:15
6:15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a {k} brook, [and] as
the stream of brooks they pass away;
(k) He compares friends who do not comfort us in our misery
to a brook which in summer when we need water is dry,
in winter is hard frozen and in the time of rain when
we have no need overflows with water.
Job 6:19
6:19 The troops of Tema {l} looked, the companies of Sheba
waited for them.
(l) They who pass by it to go into the hot countries of
Arabia, think to find water there to quench their
thirst but they are deceived.
Job 6:21
6:21 For now ye are {m} nothing; ye see [my] casting down, and
are afraid.
(m) That is, like this brook which deceives them who think
to have water there in their need, as I looked for
consolation from you.
Job 6:22
6:22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your
{n} substance?
(n) He touches the worldlings who for need will give part
of their goods, and much more these men, who would not
give him comfortable words.
Job 6:24
6:24 Teach me, and I will {o} hold my tongue: and cause me to
understand wherein I have erred.
(o) Show me where I have erred, and I will confess my sin.
Job 6:25
6:25 How {p} forcible are right words! but what doth your
arguing reprove?
(p) He who has a good conscience does not shrink at the
sharp words or reasonings of others, unless they are
able to persuade him by reason.
Job 6:26
6:26 Do ye imagine to reprove {q} words, and the speeches of one
that is desperate, [which are] as wind?
(q) Do you object to my words because I would be thought to
speak foolishly, and am now in misery?
Job 6:28
6:28 Now therefore be content, {r} look upon me; for [it is]
evident unto you if I lie.
(r) Consider whether I speak as one who is driven to this
impatience through sorrow, or as a hypocrite as you
condemn me.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 7:1
7:1 [Is there] not an appointed time to man upon earth? [are
not] his days also like the days of an {a} hireling?
(a) Has not a hired servant some rest and ease? Then in this
my continual torment I am worse than a hireling.
Job 7:3
7:3 So am I made to possess {b} months of vanity, and wearisome
nights are appointed to me.
(b) My sorrow has continued from month to month, and I have
looked for hope in vain.
Job 7:5
7:5 My flesh is {c} clothed with worms and clods of dust; my
skin is broken, and become loathsome.
(c) This signifies that his disease was rare and most
horrible.
Job 7:6
7:6 My days are swifter than {d} a weaver's shuttle, and are
spent without hope.
(d) Thus he speaks in respect for the brevity of man's life,
which passes without hope of returning: in consideration
of which he desires God to have compassion on him.
Job 7:9
7:9 {e} [As] the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he
that goeth down to the grave shall {f} come up no [more].
(e) If you behold me in your anger I will not be able to
stand in your presence.
(f) Shall no more enjoy this mortal life.
Job 7:11
7:11 Therefore I will not {g} refrain my mouth; I will speak in
the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness
of my soul.
(g) Seeing I can by no other means comfort myself I will
declare my grief in words, and thus he speaks as one
overcome with grief of mind.
Job 7:12
7:12 [Am] I a sea, {h} or a whale, that thou settest a watch
over me?
(h) Am I not a poor wretch? Why do you need to lay so much
pain on me?
Job 7:14
7:14 Then thou scarest me {i} with dreams, and terrifiest me
through visions:
(i) So that I can have no rest, night or day.
Job 7:15
7:15 So that my soul {k} chooseth strangling, [and] death rather
than my life.
(k) He speaks as one overcome with sorrow, and not of
judgment, or of the examination of his faith.
Job 7:16
7:16 I loathe [it]; I would not live alway: {l} let me alone;
for my days [are] vanity.
(l) Seeing my term of life is so short, let me have some
rest and ease.
Job 7:17
7:17 What [is] man, that thou {m} shouldest magnify him? and
that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
(m) Seeing that man of himself is so vile, why do you give
him that honour to contend against him? Job uses all
kinds of persuasion with God, that he might stay his
hand.
Job 7:20
7:20 I have {n} sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou
preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against
thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
(n) After all temptations faith steps forth and leads Job
to repentance: yet it was not in such perfection that
he could bridle himself from reasoning with God,
because he still tried his faith.
Job 7:21
7:21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take
away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and
thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I [shall] {o} not
[be].
(o) That is, I will be dead.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 8:2
8:2 How long wilt thou speak these [things]? and [how long
shall] the words of thy mouth {a} [be like] a strong wind?
(a) He declares that their words which would diminish
anything from the justice of God, are but as a puff of
wind that vanishes away.
Job 8:4
8:4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast
them away for their {b} transgression;
(b) That is, has rewarded them according to their iniquity,
meaning that Job should be warned by the example of his
children, that he not offend God.
Job 8:5
8:5 If thou {c} wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy
supplication to the Almighty;
(c) That is, if you turn while God calls you to repentance.
Job 8:7
8:7 Though thy beginning {d} was small, yet thy latter end
should greatly increase.
(d) Though the beginning is not as pleasant as you would
like, yet in the end you will have sufficient
opportunity to please yourself.
Job 8:8
8:8 For {e} enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare
thyself to the search of their fathers:
(e) He wills Job to examine all antiquity and he will find
it true which he here says.
Job 8:9
8:9 (For we [are but of] {f} yesterday, and know nothing,
because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)
(f) Meaning, that it is not enough to have the experience of
ourselves, but to be confirmed by the examples of those
who went before us.
Job 8:11
8:11 Can the rush {g} grow up without mire? can the flag grow
without water?
(g) As a rush cannot grow without moisture, so the
hypocrite because he does not have faith which is
watered with God's Spirit.
Job 8:14
8:14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a
{h} spider's web.
(h) Which is today and tomorrow swept away.
Job 8:16
8:16 He [is] {i} green before the sun, and his branch shooteth
forth in his garden.
(i) He compares the just to a tree, which although it is
moved from one place to another, yet flourishes: so the
affliction of the godly turns to their profit.
Job 8:18
8:18 If he destroy him from his place, then [it] shall {k} deny
him, [saying], I have not seen thee.
(k) That is, so that there remains nothing there to prove
whether the tree had grown there or not.
Job 8:19
8:19 Behold, this [is] the joy {l} of his way, and out of the
earth shall others grow.
(l) To be planted in another place, where it may grow as it
pleases.
Job 8:21
8:21 Till he fill thy mouth with {m} laughing, and thy lips with
rejoicing.
(m) If you are godly, he will give you opportunity to
rejoice and if not your affliction will increase.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 9:2
9:2 I know [it is] so of a truth: but how should man be {a} just
with God?
(a) Job here answers Eliphaz and Bildad's oration, touching
the justice of God, and his innocency, confessing God to
be infinite in justice and man to be nothing in respect.
Job 9:3
9:3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a
{b} thousand.
(b) Of a thousand things, which God could lay to his charge,
man cannot answer him one.
Job 9:6
9:6 Which {c} shaketh the earth out of her place, and the
pillars thereof tremble.
(c) He declares the infirmity of man, by the mighty and
incomprehensible power that is in God, showing what he
could do if he would set forth his power.
Job 9:9
9:9 Which maketh {d} Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the
chambers of the south.
(d) These are the names of certain stars by which he means
that all stars both known and unknown are at his
appointment.
Job 9:11
9:11 Lo, he goeth {e} by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on
also, but I perceive him not.
(e) I am not able to comprehend his works, which are common
and daily before my eyes, much less in those things,
which are hid and secret.
Job 9:12
9:12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? {f} who will
say unto him, What doest thou?
(f) He shows that when God executes his power, he does it
justly, as no one can control him.
Job 9:13
9:13 [If] God {g} will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers
{h} do stoop under him.
(g) God will not be appeased for anything that man can say
for himself for his justification.
(h) That is, all the reasons that men can lay to approve
their cause.
Job 9:14
9:14 How much less shall I answer him, [and] choose out {i} my
words [to reason] with him?
(i) How should I be able to answer him by eloquence? By
which he notes his friends, who although they were
eloquent in talk, did not believe in their hearts, that
which they spoke.
Job 9:15
9:15 Whom, though I were righteous, [yet] would I {k} not
answer, [but] I would make supplication to my judge.
(k) Meaning, in his own opinion, signifying that man will
sometimes flatter himself to be righteous which before
God is an abomination.
Job 9:16
9:16 If I {l} had called, and he had answered me; [yet] would I
not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
(l) While I am in pain I cannot break forth into many
inconveniences although I still know that God is just.
Job 9:17
9:17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my
wounds {m} without cause.
(m) I am not able to feel my sins so great, as I feel the
weight of his plagues; and this he speaks to condemn
his dullness and to justify God.
Job 9:19
9:19 If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] {n} strong: and if of
judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]?
(n) After he has accused his own weakness, he continues to
justify God and his power.
Job 9:20
9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: {o}
[if I say], I [am] perfect, it shall also prove me
perverse.
(o) If I stood in my own defence yet God would have just
cause to condemn me if he examined my heart and
conscience.
Job 9:22
9:22 This [is] one [thing], therefore I said [it], He destroyeth
the {p} perfect and the wicked.
(p) If God punishes according to his justice, he will
destroy them who are counted perfect as well as them
that are wicked.
Job 9:23
9:23 If the scourge {q} slay suddenly, he will {r} laugh at the
trial of the innocent.
(q) That is, the wicked.
(r) This is spoken according to our apprehension, as though
he would say, If God destroyed only the wicked,
Job 5:3, why would he allow the innocent to be so
long tormented by them?
Job 9:24
9:24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: {s} he
covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where,
[and] who {t} [is] he?
(s) That they cannot see to do justice.
(t) That can show the contrary?
Job 9:27
9:27 If {u} I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off
my heaviness, and comfort [myself]:
(u) I think not to fall into these afflictions, but my
sorrows bring me to these manifold infirmities, and my
conscience condemns me.
Job 9:29
9:29 [If] I be wicked, why then {x} labour I in vain?
(x) Why does God not destroy me at once? thus he speaks
according to the infirmity of the flesh.
Job 9:30
9:30 If I wash {y} myself with snow water, and make my hands
never so clean;
(y) Though I seem pure in my own eyes, yet all is but
corruption before God.
Job 9:31
9:31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own {z}
clothes shall abhor me.
(z) Whatever I would use to cover my filthiness with, it
would disclose me even more.
Job 9:33
9:33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, {a} [that] might
lay his hand upon us both.
(a) Who might make an accord between God and me, speaking
of impatience, and yet confessing God to be just in
punishing him.
Job 9:35
9:35 [Then] would I speak, and not fear him; {b} but [it is] not
so with me.
(b) Signifying that God's judgments keep him in awe.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 10:1
10:1 My soul is {a} weary of my life; I will leave my {b}
complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my
soul.
(a) I am more like a dead man, than to one that lives.
(b) I will make an ample declaration of my torments,
accusing myself and not God.
Job 10:2
10:2 I will say unto God, Do not {c} condemn me; shew me
wherefore thou contendest with me.
(c) He would not that God would proceed against him by his
secret justice, but by the ordinary means that he
punishes others.
Job 10:3
10:3 [Is it] {d} good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress,
that thou shouldest despise the {e} work of thine hands,
and shine upon the {f} counsel of the wicked?
(d) Is it agreeable to your justice to do me wrong?
(e) Will you be without compassions?
(f) Will you gratify the wicked and condemn me?
Job 10:4
10:4 Hast thou eyes of {g} flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?
(g) Do you do this of ignorance.
Job 10:5
10:5 [Are] thy days as the {h} days of man? [are] thy years as
man's days,
(h) Are you inconstant and changeable as the times, today a
friend, tomorrow an enemy?
Job 10:7
10:7 Thou knowest that I am not {i} wicked; and [there is] none
that can deliver out of thine hand.
(i) By affliction you keep me as in a prison, and restrain
me from doing evil, neither can any set me free.
Job 10:8
10:8 Thine {k} hands have made me and fashioned me together
round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
(k) In these eight verses following he describes the mercy
of God, in the wonderful creation of man: and on it
grounds that God should not show himself rigorous
against him.
Job 10:9
10:9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as {l} the
clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
(l) As brittle as a pot of clay.
Job 10:12
10:12 Thou hast granted me life and {m} favour, and thy {n}
visitation hath preserved my spirit.
(m) That is, reason and understanding, and many other
gifts, by which man excels all earthly creatures.
(n) That is, the fatherly care and providence by which you
preserved me, and without which I would perish
immediately.
Job 10:13
10:13 And these [things] hast thou hid in thine heart: I know
{o} that this [is] with thee.
(o) Though I am not fully able to comprehend these things,
yet I must confess that it is so.
Job 10:15
10:15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; and [if] I be righteous,
[yet] will I not {p} lift up my head. [I am] full of
confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;
(p) I will always walk in fear and humility, knowing that
no one is just before you.
Job 10:16
10:16 For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and
again thou shewest thyself {q} marvellous upon me.
(q) Job being sore assaulted in this battle between the
flesh and the spirit, breaks out into these
affections, wishing rather for short days than long
pain.
Job 10:17
10:17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest
thine indignation upon me; {r} changes and war [are]
against me.
(r) That is, diversity of diseases and in great abundance;
showing that God has infinite means to punish man.
Job 10:20
10:20 [Are] not my days few? {s} cease [then, and] let me alone,
that I may take comfort a little,
(s) He wishes that God would leave off his affliction,
considering his great misery and the shortness of his
life.
Job 10:21
10:21 Before I go [whence] I shall not {t} return, [even] to the
land of darkness and the shadow of death;
(t) He speaks this in the person of a sinner, that is
overcome with passions and with the feeling of God's
judgments and therefore cannot apprehend in that state
the mercies of God, and the comfort of the
resurrection.
Job 10:22
10:22 A land of darkness, as darkness [itself; and] of the
shadow of death, without any {u} order, and [where] the
light [is] as darkness.
(u) No distinction between light and darkness but where
there is very darkness itself.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 11:2
11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a
man {a} full of talk be justified?
(a) Should he persuade by his great talk that he is just?
Job 11:4
11:4 For thou hast said, {b} My doctrine [is] pure, and I am
clean in thine eyes.
(b) He charges Job with this, that he should say, that the
thing which he spoke was true, and that he was without
sin in the sight of God.
Job 11:6
11:6 And that he would shew thee the {c} secrets of wisdom, that
[they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God
exacteth of thee [less] than thine iniquity [deserveth].
(c) Which is not to stand in justifying of yourself: he
signifies that man will never be overcome while he
reasons with another, and therefore God must break off
the controversy, and stop man's mouth.
Job 11:8
11:8 [It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? {d} deeper
than hell; what canst thou know?
(d) That is, this perfection of God, and if man is not able
to comprehend the height of the heavens, the depth of
the earth, the breadth of the sea, which are but
creatures, how can he attain to the perfection of the
creator.
Job 11:10
11:10 If he cut off, and {e} shut up, or gather together, then
who can hinder him?
(e) If God should turn the state of things and establish a
new order in nature, who could control him?
Job 11:12
11:12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a
wild {f} ass's colt.
(f) That is, without understanding, so that whatever gifts
he has afterward come from God, and not from nature.
Job 11:13
11:13 If thou {g} prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine
hands toward him;
(g) If you repent, pray to him.
Job 11:14
11:14 If iniquity [be] in thine {h} hand, put it far away, and
let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
(h) Renounce your own evil works and see that they do not
offend God, over whom you have charge.
Job 11:15
11:15 For then shalt thou lift up thy {i} face without spot;
yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
(i) He declares the quietness of conscience and success in
all things that they shall have who turn to God in
true repentance.
Job 11:20
11:20 But the eyes {k} of the wicked shall fail, and they shall
not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of
the ghost.
(k) He shows that contrary things will come to them who do
not repent.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 12:2
12:2 No doubt but ye [are] the people, and {a} wisdom shall die
with you.
(a) Because you do not feel what you speak, you think the
whole stands in words, and so flatter yourselves as
though no one else knew anything, or could know except
you.
Job 12:4
12:4 I am {b} [as] one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon
God, and he {c} answereth him: the just upright [man is]
laughed to scorn.
(b) He reproves his friends for two faults: one, that they
thought they had better knowledge than they did: and
the other, that instead of true consolation, they
derided and despised their friend in his adversity.
(c) Who being a mocker and a wicked man, thinks that no man
is in God's favour but he, because he has all things
that he desires.
Job 12:5
12:5 {d} He that is ready to slip with [his] feet [is as] a lamp
despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
(d) As the rich do not esteem a light or torch that goes
out, so he despised he that falls from prosperity to
adversity.
Job 12:7
12:7 But ask now the beasts, {e} and they shall teach thee; and
the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
(e) He declares to them that disputed against him, that
their wisdom is common to all, and such as the very
brute beasts teach daily.
Job 12:11
12:11 Doth not the ear {f} try words? and the mouth taste his
meat?
(f) He exhorts them to be wise in judging, and as well to
know the right use of their God-given ears, as well as
their mouths.
Job 12:12
12:12 With the {g} ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days
understanding.
(g) Though men by age and continuance of time attain
wisdom, yet it is not comparable to God's wisdom, nor
able to comprehend his judgments, in which he answers
to that which was alleged, Job 8:8.
Job 12:16
12:16 With him [is] strength and wisdom: the deceived and the
{h} deceiver [are] his.
(h) He shows that there is nothing done in this world
without God's will and ordinance, else he would not be
Almighty.
Job 12:18
12:18 {i} He looseth {k} the bond of kings, and girdeth their
loins with a girdle.
(i) He takes wisdom from them.
(k) He abates the humour of princes, and brings them into
the subjection of others.
Job 12:20
12:20 He removeth away the speech of the {l} trusty, and taketh
away the understanding of the aged.
(l) He causes their words to have no credit, which is when
he will punish sin.
Job 12:23
12:23 He {m} increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he
enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them [again].
(m) In this discourse of God's wonderful works, Job shows
that whatever is done in this world both in the order
and change of things, is by God's will and
appointment, in which he declares that he thinks well
of God, and is able to set forth his power in words as
they that reasoned against him were.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 13:3
13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire {a} to
reason with God.
(a) For although he knew that God was just, which was
revealed in his ordinary working and another in his
secret counsel, yet he uttered his affection to God,
because he was not able to understand the reason he
punished him.
Job 13:4
13:4 But ye [are] forgers of lies, ye [are] all {b} physicians
of no value.
(b) You do not well apply your medicine to the disease.
Job 13:7
13:7 Will ye speak {c} wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully
for him?
(c) He condemns their zeal, who did not have knowledge, nor
regarded they to comfort him, but always granted on
God's justice, as though it was not evidently seen in
Job, unless they had undertaken the probation of it.
Job 13:12
13:12 Your {d} remembrances [are] like unto ashes, your bodies
to bodies of clay.
(d) Your fame will come to nothing.
Job 13:14
13:14 Wherefore do I {e} take my flesh in my teeth, and put my
life in mine hand?
(e) Is not this a revealed sign of my affliction and that
I do not complain without cause, seeing that I am thus
tormented as though I should tear my own flesh, and
put my life in danger?
Job 13:16
13:16 He also [shall be] my salvation: for an {f} hypocrite
shall not come before him.
(f) By which he declares that he is not a hypocrite as
they charged him.
Job 13:18
13:18 Behold now, I have ordered [my] cause; I know that I shall
be {g} justified.
(g) That is, cleared and not cut off for my sins, as you
think.
Job 13:19
13:19 Who [is] he [that] will plead {h} with me? for now, if I
hold my tongue, I shall {i} give up the ghost.
(h) To prove that God punishes me for my sins.
(i) If I do not defend my cause, every man will condemn
me.
Job 13:21
13:21 {k} Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread
make me afraid.
(k) He shows what these two things are.
Job 13:23
13:23 How many [are] {l} mine iniquities and sins? make me to
know my transgression and my sin.
(l) His pangs move him to reason with God, not denying
that he had sinned: but he desired to understand what
his great sins were that he deserved such rigor, in
which he sinned by demanding a reason from God why he
punished him.
Job 13:26
13:26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me
to possess {m} the iniquities of my youth.
(m) You punish me now for the sins that I committed in my
youth.
Job 13:27
13:27 Thou puttest my feet also in the {n} stocks, and lookest
narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the
heels of my feet.
(n) You make me your prisoner, and so press me that I
cannot stir hand or foot.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 14:1
14:1 Man {a} [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and
full of trouble.
(a) Taking the opportunity of his adversaries words he
describes the state of man's life from his birth to his
death.
Job 14:3
14:3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an {b} one, and
bringest me into judgment with thee?
(b) His meaning is, that seeing that man is so frail a
creature, God should not handle him so extremely, in
which Job shows the wickedness of the flesh, when it is
not subject to the Spirit.
Job 14:6
14:6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish,
{c} as an hireling, his day.
(c) Until the time you have appointed him to die, which he
desires as the hireling waits for the end of his labour
to receive his wages.
Job 14:10
14:10 {d} But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up
the ghost, and where [is] he?
(d) He speaks here not as though he had no hope of
immortality but as a man in extreme pain, when reason
is overcome by afflictions and torments.
Job 14:13
14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou
wouldest keep me secret, until thy {e} wrath be past, that
thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and {f} remember me!
(e) By this he declares that the fear of God's judgment
was the reason why he desired to die.
(f) That is, relieve my pain and take me to mercy.
Job 14:14
14:14 If a man die, shall he live [again]? all the days of my
appointed time will I wait, till {g} my change come.
(g) Meaning, to the day of the resurrection when he would
be changed and renewed.
Job 14:15
14:15 Thou shalt call, and I will {h} answer thee: thou wilt
have a desire to the work of thine hands.
(h) Though I am afflicted in this life, yet in the
resurrection I will feel your mercies and answer when
you call me.
Job 14:17
14:17 My transgression [is] sealed up in a {i} bag, and thou
sewest up mine iniquity.
(i) You lay them all together and do not allow any of my
sins to go unpunished.
Job 14:18
14:18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the
{k} rock is removed out of his place.
(k) He murmurs through the impatiency of the flesh against
God, as though he used great severity against him as
against the hard rocks, or waters that overflow, so
that by this the opportunity of his hope is taken
away.
Job 14:22
14:22 But his {l} flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul
within him shall mourn.
(l) Yet while he is in pain and misery.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 15:2
15:2 Should a wise man utter {a} vain knowledge, and fill his
belly {b} with the east wind?
(a) That is, vain words, and without consolation?
(b) Meaning, with matters that are of no importance, which
are forgotten as soon as they are uttered, as the East
wind dries up moisture as soon as it falls.
Job 15:4
15:4 Yea, thou castest off {c} fear, and restrainest prayer
before God.
(c) He charges Job as though his talk caused men to cast
off the fear of God and prayer.
Job 15:5
15:5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest
the {d} tongue of the crafty.
(d) You speak as the mockers and contemners of God do.
Job 15:7
15:7 [Art] thou the {e} first man [that] was born? or wast thou
made before the hills?
(e) That is, the most ancient and so by reason the most
wise?
Job 15:8
15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain
wisdom {f} to thyself?
(f) Are you only wise?
Job 15:11
15:11 [Are] the consolations of God {g} small with thee? is
there any secret thing with thee?
(g) He accuses Job's pride and ingratitude, that will not
be comforted by God, but by their counsel.
Job 15:12
15:12 Why doth thine heart {h} carry thee away? and what do thy
eyes wink at,
(h) Why do you stand in your own conceit?
Job 15:14
15:14 What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is]
born of a woman, that he should {i} be righteous?
(i) His purpose is to prove that Job, as an unjust man and
a hypocrite, is punished for his sins, as he did
before, Job 4:8.
Job 15:16
15:16 How much more abominable and filthy [is] man, which {k}
drinketh iniquity like water?
(k) Who has a desire to sin, as he who is thirsty to
drink.
Job 15:19
15:19 Unto whom alone the earth was {l} given, and no stranger
passed among them.
(l) Who by their wisdom so governed, that no stranger
invaded them, and so the land seemed to be given to
them alone.
Job 15:20
15:20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all [his] days, and
the number {m} of years is hidden to the oppressor.
(m) The cruel man is always in danger of death, and is
never quiet in conscience.
Job 15:22
15:22 He believeth not that he shall return out of {n} darkness,
and he is waited for of the sword.
(n) Out of that misery to which he once fell.
Job 15:23
15:23 He wandereth {o} abroad for bread, [saying], Where [is
it]? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his
hand.
(o) God not only impoverishes the wicked often, but even
in their prosperity he punishes them with a greediness
to gain even more: which is as a beggary.
Job 15:24
15:24 Trouble and {p} anguish shall make him afraid; they shall
prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
(p) He shows the weapons God uses against the wicked, who
lift up themselves against him, that is, terror of
conscience and outward afflictions.
Job 15:27
15:27 Because he covereth his face with {q} his fatness, and
maketh collops of fat on [his] flanks.
(q) That is, he was so puffed up with prosperity and
abundance for all things, that he forgave God: noting
that Job in his happiness did not have the true fear
of God.
Job 15:28
15:28 And he dwelleth {r} in desolate cities, [and] in houses
which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
(r) Though he build and repair ruinous places to gain
fame, yet God will bring all to nothing, and turn his
great prosperity into extreme misery.
Job 15:29
15:29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance
continue, neither shall he prolong the {s} perfection
thereof upon the earth.
(s) Meaning, that his sumptuous buildings would never come
to perfection.
Job 15:31
15:31 Let not him that is {t} deceived trust in vanity: for
vanity shall be his recompence.
(t) He stands in his own conceit, that he will give no
place to good counsel, therefore his own pride will
bring him to destruction.
Job 15:33
15:33 He shall shake off his unripe {u} grape as the vine, and
shall cast off his flower as the olive.
(u) As one who gathers grapes before they are ripe.
Job 15:34
15:34 For the congregation of hypocrites [shall be] desolate,
and fire shall consume the tabernacles of {x} bribery.
(x) Who were built or maintained by bribery.
Job 15:35
15:35 They {y} conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and
their belly prepareth deceit.
(y) Therefore all their vain devises will turn to their
own destruction.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 16:3
16:3 Shall {a} vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee
that thou answerest?
(a) Which serve for vain ostentation and for no true
comfort.
Job 16:4
16:4 I also could speak as ye [do]: if your {c} soul were in my
soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and {d}
shake mine head at you.
(c) I would that you felt what I do.
(d) That is, mock at your misery, as you do at mine.
Job 16:5
16:5 [But] I would strengthen you {e} with my mouth, and the
moving of my lips should asswage [your grief].
(e) If this were in my power, yet I would comfort you and
not do as you do to me.
Job 16:6
16:6 Though I speak, my grief is {f} not asswaged: and [though]
I forbear, what am I eased?
(f) If you would say, "Why do you not then comfort
yourself?" he answers that the judgments of God are
more heavy than he is able to assuage either by words
or silence.
Job 16:7
16:7 But now {g} he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate
all my {h} company.
(g) Meaning, God.
(h) That is, destroyed most of my family.
Job 16:8
16:8 And thou hast filled me with {i} wrinkles, [which] is a
witness [against me]: and my leanness rising up in me
beareth witness to my face.
(i) In token of sorrow and grief.
Job 16:9
16:9 {k} He teareth [me] in his wrath, who hateth me: he
gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his
eyes upon me.
(k) That is, God by his wrath: and in this diversity of
words and high style, he expresses how grievous the
hand of God was on him.
Job 16:10
16:10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have
smitten me upon the {l} cheek reproachfully; they have
gathered themselves together against me.
(l) That is, has handled me contemptuously: for so
slapping the cheek signified,
1Ki 22:24, Mr 14:65
Job 16:11
16:11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over
into the {m} hands of the wicked.
(m) They have led me where they would.
Job 16:13
16:13 His {n} archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my
reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall
{o} upon the ground.
(n) His manifold afflictions.
(o) I am wounded to the heart.
Job 16:15
16:15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my {p}
horn in the dust.
(p) Meaning, his glory was brought low.
Job 16:17
16:17 Not for [any] injustice in {q} mine hands: also my prayer
{r} [is] pure.
(q) Signifying that he is not able to understand the cause
of this his grievous punishment.
(r) That is, unfeigned and without hypocrisy.
Job 16:18
16:18 O earth, cover not thou my {s} blood, and let my cry have
no place.
(s) Let my sin be known if I am such a sinner as my
adversaries accuse me, and let me find no favour.
Job 16:19
16:19 Also now, behold, my {t} witness [is] in heaven, and my
record [is] on high.
(t) Though man condemn me, yet God is witness of my cause.
Job 16:20
16:20 My friends {u} scorn me: [but] mine eye poureth out
[tears] unto God.
(u) Use painted words instead of true consolation.
Job 16:21
16:21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man {x}
[pleadeth] for his neighbour!
(x) Thus by his great torments he is carried away, and
breaks out into passions, and speaks unadvisedly, as
though God would intreat man more gently, seeing he
has only a short time here to live.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 17:2
17:2 [Are there] not {a} mockers with me? and doth not mine eye
continue in {b} their provocation?
(a) Instead of comfort, being now at death's door, he had
but them that mocked at him, and discouraged him.
Job 17:3
17:3 {c} Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who [is] he
[that] {d} will strike hands with me?
(c) He reasons with God as a man beside himself, so that
his cause might be brought to light.
(d) And answers for you?
Job 17:4
17:4 For thou hast hid their heart from {e} understanding:
therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].
(e) That these my afflictions are your just judgments,
though man does not know the reason.
Job 17:5
17:5 {f} He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the
eyes of his children shall fail.
(f) He who flatters a man, and only judges him happy in his
prosperity, will not himself only but in his posterity
be punished.
Job 17:6
17:6 He hath made me also a {g} byword of the people; and
aforetime I was as a tabret.
(g) God has made all the world speak of me, because of my
afflictions.
Job 17:8
17:8 Upright [men] shall be astonied at {i} this, and the
innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
(i) That is, when they see the godly punished: but in the
end they will come to understanding and know what will
be the reward of the hypocrite.
Job 17:9
17:9 The righteous also shall hold on his {k} way, and he that
hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
(k) That is, will not be discouraged, considering that the
godly are punished as well as the wicked.
Job 17:10
17:10 But as for {l} you all, do ye return, and come now: for I
cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.
(l) Job speaks to the three who came to comfort him.
Job 17:12
17:12 They change the {m} night into day: the light [is] short
because of darkness.
(m) That is, have brought me sorrow instead of comfort.
Job 17:13
17:13 If I wait, {n} the grave [is] mine house: I have made my
bed in the darkness.
(n) Though I should hope to come from adversity to
prosperity, as your discourse pretends.
Job 17:14
17:14 I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my {o} father: to
the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.
(o) I have no more hope in father, mother, sister, or any
worldly thing: for the dust and worms will be to me
instead of them.
Job 17:16
17:16 {p} They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when [our]
rest together [is] in the dust.
(p) All worldly hope and prosperity fail which you say,
are only signs of God's favour but seeing that these
things perish, I set my hope in God and in the life
everlasting.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 18:2
18:2 How long [will it be ere] {a} ye make an end of words? {b}
mark, and afterwards we will speak.
(a) Who count yourselves just as Job 12:4.
(b) Whom you take to be only beasts, as in Job 12:7.
Job 18:4
18:4 {c} He teareth himself in his anger: shall the {d} earth be
forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his
place?
(c) That is, like a madman.
(d) Shall God change the order of nature for your sake, by
dealing with you otherwise than he does with all man?
Job 18:5
18:5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be {e} put out, and the
spark of his fire shall not shine.
(e) When the wicked is in his prosperity, then God changes
his state: and this is his ordinary working for their
sins.
Job 18:8
18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he {f}
walketh upon a snare.
(f) Meaning, that the wicked are in continual danger.
Job 18:12
18:12 His strength shall be {g} hungerbitten, and destruction
[shall be] ready at his side.
(g) That which should nourish him will be consumed by
famine.
Job 18:13
18:13 It shall devour the strength of his skin: [even] the {h}
firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
(h) That is, some strong and violent death will consume
his strength: or as the Hebrew word signifies his
members or parts.
Job 18:14
18:14 His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and
it shall bring him to the {i} king of terrors.
(i) That is, with great fear.
Job 18:15
18:15 It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because [it is] none of
his: {l} brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
(l) Though all the world would favour him, yet God would
destroy him and his.
Job 18:18
18:18 He shall be driven from {m} light into darkness, and
chased out of the world.
(m) He will fall from prosperity to adversity.
Job 18:20
18:20 They that come after [him] shall be astonied at his {n}
day, as they that went before were affrighted.
(n) When they will see what came to him.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 19:3
19:3 These {a} ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not
ashamed [that] ye make yourselves strange to me.
(a) That is, many times, as in Ne 4:12.
Job 19:4
19:4 And be it indeed [that] I have erred, mine error {b}
remaineth with myself.
(b) That is, I myself will be punished for it, or you have
not yet consulted it.
Job 19:6
19:6 Know now that God hath {c} overthrown me, and hath
compassed me with his net.
(c) He breaks out again into his passions and declares
still that his affliction comes from God though he is
not able to feel the cause in himself.
Job 19:8
19:8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot {d} pass, and he
hath set darkness in my paths.
(d) Meaning, out of his afflictions.
Job 19:9
19:9 He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the {e} crown
[from] my head.
(e) Meaning, his children, and whatever was dear to him in
this world.
Job 19:10
19:10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and
mine hope hath he removed like {f} a tree.
(f) Which is plucked up, and has no more hope to grow.
Job 19:12
19:12 His {g} troops come together, and raise up their way
against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.
(g) His manifold afflictions.
Job 19:15
19:15 {h} They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me
for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
(h) My household servants by all these losses Job shows
that touching the flesh he had great opportunity to be
moved.
Job 19:17
19:17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for
the children's [sake] of mine {i} own body.
(i) Which were hers and mine.
Job 19:20
19:20 My bone {k} cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am
escaped with the skin of my teeth.
(k) Besides these great losses and most cruel unkindness,
he was touched in his own person as follows.
Job 19:21
19:21 Have pity upon me, have {m} pity upon me, O ye my friends;
for the hand of God hath touched me.
(m) Seeing I have these just causes to complain, condemn
me not as a hypocrite, especially you who should
comfort me.
Job 19:22
19:22 Why do ye persecute me as {n} God, and are not satisfied
with my {o} flesh?
(n) Is it not enough that God punishes me, unless you by
reproaching increase my sorrow?
(o) To see my body punished, unless you trouble my mind?
Job 19:24
19:24 That they were graven with {p} an iron pen and lead in the
rock for ever!
(p) He protests that despite his sore passions his
religion is perfect and that he in not a blasphemer as
they judged him.
Job 19:25
19:25 For I know [that] my {q} redeemer liveth, and [that] he
shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:
(q) I do not so justify myself before the world, but I
know that I will come before the great judge who will
be my deliverer and Saviour.
Job 19:26
19:26 And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body],
yet {r} in my flesh shall I see God:
(r) In this Job declares plainly that he had a full hope,
that both the soul and body would enjoy the presence
of God in the last resurrection.
Job 19:28
19:28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root
of the {s} matter is found in me?
(s) Though his friends thought that he was only persecuted
by God for his sins, yet he declares that there was a
deeper consideration that is, the trial of his faith
and patience, and so to be an example for others.
Job 19:29
19:29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath [bringeth] the {t}
punishments of the sword, that ye may know [there is] a
judgment.
(t) God will be avenged of this harsh judgment by which
you condemned me.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 20:3
20:3 I have heard {a} the check of my reproach, and the spirit
of my understanding causeth me to answer.
(a) He declares that two things moved him to speak: that
is, because Job seemed to touch him, and because he
thought he had knowledge sufficient to confute him.
Job 20:6
20:6 Though {b} his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his
head reach unto the clouds;
(b) His purpose is to prove Job to be a wicked man, and a
hypocrite, because God punished him, and changed his
prosperity into adversity.
Job 20:10
20:10 His children shall {c} seek to please the poor, and his
hands shall {d} restore their goods.
(c) While the father through ambition and tyranny
oppressed the poor, the children through poverty and
misery will seek favour from the poor.
(d) So that the thing which he has taken away by violence
will be restored again by force.
Job 20:11
20:11 His bones are full [of the sin] of his youth, which {e}
shall lie down with him in the dust.
(e) Meaning that he will carry nothing away with him but
his sin.
Job 20:12
20:12 Though wickedness be {f} sweet in his mouth, [though] he
hide it under his tongue;
(f) As poison that is sweet in the mouth brings
destruction when it comes into the body: so all vice
at the first is pleasant, but God later turns it to
destruction.
Job 20:16
20:16 He shall suck the {g} poison of asps: the viper's tongue
shall slay him.
(g) He compares ill-gotten goods to the venom of asps,
which is a dangerous serpent, noting that Jobs great
riches were not truly come by and therefore God
plagues him justly for the same.
Job 20:17
20:17 He shall not see the {h} rivers, the floods, the brooks of
honey and butter.
(h) Though God gives all other abundance from his
blessings yet he will have no part of it.
Job 20:18
20:18 That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not
swallow [it] down: according to [his] substance [shall]
the restitution [be], {i} and he shall not rejoice
[therein].
(i) That is these raveners and spoilers of the poor will
enjoy their theft but for a time for after God will
take it from them, and cause them to make restitution
so that it is only an exchange.
Job 20:21
20:21 There shall none of his {k} meat be left; therefore shall
no man look for his goods.
(k) He will leave nothing to his posterity.
Job 20:22
20:22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits:
every hand {l} of the wicked shall come upon him.
(l) The wicked will never be in rest: for one wicked man
will seek to destroy another.
Job 20:23
20:23 [When] he is about to fill his belly, [God] shall cast the
fury of his wrath upon him, {m} and shall rain [it] upon
him while he is eating.
(m) Some read, upon his flesh, alluding to Job, whose
flesh was smitten with a scab.
Job 20:25
20:25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the {n} body; yea, the
glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors [are]
upon him.
(n) Some read, of the quiver.
Job 20:26
20:26 {o} All darkness [shall be] hid in his secret places: a
fire not {p} blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with
him that is left in his tabernacle.
(o) All fear and sorrow will light on him when he thinks
to escape.
(p) That is, fire from heaven, or the fire of God's wrath.
Job 20:28
20:28 The {q} increase of his house shall depart, [and his
goods] shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
(q) Meaning, the children of the wicked will flow away
like rivers and be dispersed in various places.
Job 20:29
20:29 This [is] the portion of a wicked man from {r} God, and
the heritage appointed unto him by {s} God.
(r) Thus God will plague the wicked.
(s) Against God, thinking to excuse himself, and to escape
God's hand.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 21:2
21:2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this {a} be your
consolations.
(a) Your diligent marking of my words will be to me a great
consolation.
Job 21:4
21:4 As for me, [is] my complaint to man? and if [it {b} were
so], why should not my spirit be troubled?
(b) As though he would say, I do not talk with man but with
God, who will not answer me, and therefore my mind must
be troubled.
Job 21:5
21:5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your]
{c} mouth.
(c) He charges them as though they were not able to
comprehend his feeling of God's judgment, and exhorts
them therefore to silence.
Job 21:7
21:7 Wherefore do the wicked {d} live, become old, yea, are
mighty in power?
(d) Job proves against his adversaries that God does not
punish the wicked immediately, but often gives them
long life and prosperity, so we must not judge God just
or unjust by the things that appear to our eyes.
Job 21:11
21:11 They send forth their little ones {e} like a flock, and
their children dance.
(e) They have healthy children and in those points he
answers to that which Zophar alleged before.
Job 21:13
21:13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment {f} go
down to the grave.
(f) Not being tormented with long sickness.
Job 21:14
21:14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire
not the {g} knowledge of thy ways.
(g) They desire nothing more than to be exempt from all
subjection that they should bear to God, thus Job
shows his adversaries, that if they reason only by
that which is seen by common experience the wicked
who hate God are better dealt withal than they who
love him.
Job 21:16
21:16 Lo, their good [is] not in their {h} hand: the counsel of
the wicked {i} is far from me.
(h) It is not their own, but God only lends it to them.
(i) God keep me from their prosperity.
Job 21:20
21:20 {k} His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink
of the wrath of the Almighty.
(k) When God recompenses his wickedness, he will know that
his prosperity was vanity.
Job 21:22
21:22 Shall [any] teach {l} God knowledge? seeing he judgeth
those that are high.
(l) Who sends to the wicked prosperity and punishes the
godly.
Job 21:23
21:23 One {m} dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease
and quiet.
(m) Meaning, the wicked.
Job 21:25
21:25 And another {n} dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and
never eateth with pleasure.
(n) That is, the godly.
Job 21:26
21:26 They shall lie down alike in {o} the dust, and the worms
shall cover them.
(o) As concerning their bodies: and this he speaks
according to the common judgment.
Job 21:28
21:28 For ye say, Where [is] the {p} house of the prince? and
where [are] the dwelling places of the wicked?
(p) Thus they called Job's house in derision concluding
that it was destroyed because he was wicked.
Job 21:29
21:29 Have ye {q} not asked them that go by the way? and do ye
not know their tokens,
(q) Who through long travailing have experience and tokens
of it, that is, that the wicked prosper, and the godly
live in affliction.
Job 21:30
21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of {r} destruction?
they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
(r) Though the wicked flourish here, yet God will punish
him in the last day.
Job 21:31
21:31 Who shall declare his way {s} to his face? and who shall
repay him [what] he hath done?
(s) Though men flatter him, and no one dares to reprove
him in this world, yet death is a token that he will
bring him to an account.
Job 21:33
21:33 The {t} clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and
every man shall draw after him, as [there are] innumerable
before him.
(t) He will be glad to lie in a slimy pit, who before
could not be content with a royal palace.
Job 21:34
21:34 How then comfort {u} ye me in vain, seeing in your answers
there remaineth falsehood?
(u) Saying that the just in this world have prosperity and
the wicked adversity.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 22:2
22:2 Can a man be {a} profitable unto God, as he that is wise
may be profitable unto himself?
(a) Though man was just, yet God could not profit from this
his justice; and therefore when he punished him, he had
no regard to his justice, but to his sin.
Job 22:4
22:4 Will he reprove thee for fear {b} of thee? will he enter
with thee into judgment?
(b) Lest you should reprove or hurt him?
Job 22:6
22:6 For thou hast taken a {c} pledge from thy brother for
nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
(c) You have been cruel and without charity, and would do
nothing for the poor, but for your own advantage.
Job 22:8
22:8 But [as for] the mighty man, he {d} had the earth; and the
honourable man dwelt in it.
(d) When you were in power and authority you did not do
justice but wrong.
Job 22:9
22:9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the {e}
fatherless have been broken.
(e) You have not only not shown pity, but oppressed them.
Job 22:11
22:11 Or darkness, [that] thou canst not see; and {f} abundance
of waters cover thee.
(f) That is, manifold afflictions.
Job 22:12
22:12 [Is] not God in the {g} height of heaven? and behold the
height of the {h} stars, how high they are!
(g) He accuses Job of impiety and contempt of God, as
thought he would say, If you pass not for men, yet
consider the height of God's majesty.
(h) That so much the more by that excellent work you may
fear God, and reverence him.
Job 22:13
22:13 And thou sayest, How doth God {i} know? can he judge
through the dark cloud?
(i) He reproves Job, as though he denied God's providence
and that he could not see the things that were done in
this world.
Job 22:15
22:15 Hast thou marked the old way {k} which wicked men have
trodden?
(k) How God has punished them from the beginning?
Job 22:16
22:16 Which were {l} cut down out of time, whose foundation was
overflown with a flood:
(l) He proves God's providence by the punishment of the
wicked, whom he takes away before they can bring their
wicked purposes to pass.
Job 22:18
22:18 Yet he {m} filled their houses with good [things]: but the
counsel of the wicked is far from me.
(m) He answers to that which Job had said, Job 21:7
that the wicked have prosperity in this world;
desiring that he might not be a partaker of the like.
Job 22:19
22:19 The righteous see [it], and are glad: {n} and the innocent
laugh them to scorn.
(n) The just rejoice at the destruction of the wicked for
two reasons, first because God shows himself judge of
the world and by this means continues his honour and
glory: secondly because God shows that he had care
over his in that he punished their enemies.
Job 22:20
22:20 Whereas {o} our substance is not cut down, but the remnant
of {p} them the fire consumeth.
(o) That is, the state and preservation of the godly, is
hid under God's wings.
(p) Meaning of the wicked.
Job 22:21
22:21 Acquaint now thyself {q} with him, and be at peace:
thereby good shall come unto thee.
(q) He exhorts Job to repentance, and to return to God.
Job 22:23
22:23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt {r} be built
up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
(r) God will restore to you all your substance.
Job 22:24
22:24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as {s} dust, and the [gold] of
Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
(s) Which will be in abundance like dust.
Job 22:28
22:28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be
established unto thee: and the {t} light shall shine upon
thy ways.
(t) That is, the favour of God.
Job 22:29
22:29 {u} When [men] are cast down, then thou shalt say, [There
is] lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
(u) God will deliver his when the wicked are destroyed
round about them, as in the flood and in Sodom.
Job 22:30
22:30 He shall deliver the {x} island of the innocent: and it is
delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
(x) God will deliver a whole country from peril, even for
the just man's sake.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 23:2
23:2 Even to day [is] my complaint {a} bitter: my stroke is
heavier than my groaning.
(a) He shows the just cause of his complaining and
concerning that Eliphaz had exhorted him to return to
God, Job 22:21 he declares that he desires
nothing more, but it seems that God would not be found
of him.
Job 23:6
23:6 Will he {b} plead against me with [his] great power? No;
but he would {c} put [strength] in me.
(b) Using his absolute power and saying because I am God, I
may do what I will.
(c) Of his mercy he would give me power to answer him.
Job 23:7
23:7 {d} There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I
be delivered for ever from my judge.
(d) When he of his mercy has given strength to maintain
their cause.
Job 23:8
23:8 {e} Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and
backward, but I cannot perceive him:
(e) Meaning, that if he considers God's justice, he is not
able to comprehend his judgments on what side or
whatever part he turns himself.
Job 23:10
23:10 But he knoweth the {f} way that I take: [when] he hath
tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
(f) God has this preeminence about me, that he knows my
way: that is, that I am not able to judge his work, he
shows also his confidence, that God uses him for his
profit.
Job 23:12
23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;
I have {g} esteemed the words of his mouth more than my
necessary [food].
(g) His word is more precious to me than the meat with
which the body is sustained.
Job 23:13
23:13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can {h} turn him? and
[what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
(h) Job confesses that at the present he did not feel
God's favour and yet was assured that God had
appointed him to a good end.
Job 23:14
23:14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me:
and {i} many such [things are] with him.
(i) In many points man is not able to attain to God's
judgments.
Job 23:16
23:16 For {k} God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty
troubleth me:
(k) That I should not be without fear.
Job 23:17
23:17 Because I was not cut off before the {l} darkness,
[neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.
(l) He shows the cause for his fear, which is, that he
being in trouble sees no end, nor yet knows the cause.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 24:1
24:1 Why, seeing times {a} are not hidden from the Almighty, do
they that know him not see his {b} days?
(a) Thus Job speaks in his passions, and after the
judgment of the flesh: that is, that he does not see
the things that are done at times, nor yet has a
peculiar care over all, because he does not punish the
wicked or avenge the godly.
(b) When he punishes the wicked and rewards the good.
Job 24:4
24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth
hide themselves {c} together.
(c) And for cruelty and oppression dare not show their
faces.
Job 24:5
24:5 Behold, [as] wild asses in the desert, go they forth to
their work; {d} rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness
{e} [yieldeth] food for them [and] for [their] children.
(d) That is, spares diligence.
(e) He and his live by robbing and murdering.
Job 24:6
24:6 They reap [every one] {f} his corn in the field: and they
gather the {g} vintage of the wicked.
(f) Meaning the poor man's.
(g) Signifying that one wicked man will not spoil another,
but for necessity.
Job 24:8
24:8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, {h} and
embrace the rock for want of a shelter.
(h) The poor are driven by the wicked into the rock and
holes where they cannot lie dry for the rain.
Job 24:9
24:9 They pluck the fatherless {i} from the breast, and take a
pledge of {k} the poor.
(i) That is, they so pillage and plunder the poor widow
that she cannot sustain herself that she may be able to
nurse her baby.
Job 24:11
24:11 [Which] make oil {l} within their walls, [and] tread
[their] winepresses, and suffer thirst.
(l) In such places which are appointed for that purpose;
meaning, that those who labour for the wicked, are
pined for hunger.
Job 24:12
24:12 Men {m} groan from out of the city, and the soul of the
wounded crieth out: yet God {n} layeth not folly [to
them].
(m) For the great oppression and extortion.
(n) Cry out and call for vengeance.
Job 24:13
24:13 They are of those that rebel against the {p} light; they
know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
(p) That is, God's word, because they are reproved by it.
Job 24:15
24:15 The eye also of the {q} adulterer waiteth for the
twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth
[his] face.
(q) By these particular vices and the licence of it, he
would prove that God did not punish the wicked and
reward the just.
Job 24:18
24:18 He [is] swift as the {r} waters; their {s} portion is
cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the
vineyards.
(r) He flees to the waters for his succour.
(s) They think that all the world is bent against them and
dare not go by the highway.
Job 24:19
24:19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: [so doth] the
grave [those which] {t} have sinned.
(t) As the dry ground is never full with waters, so will
they never cease sinning till they come to the grave.
Job 24:20
24:20 {u} The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly
on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness
shall be broken as a tree.
(u) Though God tolerates the wicked for a time, yet their
end will be vile destruction, and in this point Job
commits to himself and shows his confidence.
Job 24:21
24:21 He {x} evil entreateth the barren [that] beareth not: and
doeth not good to the widow.
(x) He shows why the wicked will not be lamented, because
he did not pity others.
Job 24:22
24:22 He draweth also the {y} mighty with his power: he riseth
up, and no [man] is sure of life.
(y) He declares that after the wicked have destroyed the
weakest, they will do the same to the stranger, and
therefore are justly punished by God's judgments.
Job 24:25
24:25 And if [it be] not {z} [so] now, who will make me a liar,
and make my speech nothing worth?
(z) That is, contrary to your reasoning no man can give
perfect reasons for God's judgments, let me be
reproved.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 25:2
25:2 {a} Dominion and fear [are] with him, he maketh peace in
his high places.
(a) His purpose is to prove that although God may try and
afflict the just, yet soon after he sends prosperity,
and because he did not do so to Job he concludes that
he is wicked.
Job 25:3
25:3 Is there any number of his armies? {b} and upon whom doth
not his light arise?
(b) Who can hide him from his presence?
Job 25:4
25:4 How then can man {c} be justified with God? or how can he
be clean [that is] born of a woman?
(c) That is, be just in respect to God?
Job 25:5
25:5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, {d} the
stars are not pure in his sight.
(d) If God shows his power, the moon and stars cannot have
the light which is given to them, much less can man
have any excellency but from God.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 26:2
26:2 {a} How hast thou helped [him that is] without power? [how]
{b} savest thou the arm [that hath] no strength?
(a) You concluded nothing, for neither did you help me
while destitute of all help, nor yet speak sufficiently
on God's behalf, who has no need for your defence.
(b) But you do not apply it to the purpose.
Job 26:4
26:4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit {c} came
from thee?
(c) That is, moves you to speak this?
Job 26:5
26:5 {d} Dead [things] are formed from under the waters, and the
inhabitants thereof.
(d) Job begins to declare the force of God's power and
providence in the mines and metals in the deep places
of the earth.
Job 26:6
26:6 Hell [is] {e} naked before him, and {f} destruction hath no
covering.
(e) There is nothing hidden in the bottom of the earth but
he sees it.
(f) Meaning, the grave in which things putrify.
Job 26:7
26:7 He stretcheth out the {g} north over the empty place, [and]
hangeth the earth upon nothing.
(g) He causes the whole earth to turn about the North
pole.
Job 26:10
26:10 He hath {h} compassed the waters with bounds, until the
{i} day and night come to an end.
(h) That is, he hid the heavens which are called his
throne.
(i) So long as this world endures.
Job 26:11
26:11 The {k} pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at
his reproof.
(k) Not that heaven has pillars to uphold it, but he
speaks by a similitude as though he would say heaven
itself is not able to abide his reproach.
Job 26:13
26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath
formed the crooked {l} serpent.
(l) Which is a figure of stars shaped like a serpent,
because of the crookedness.
Job 26:14
26:14 Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but {m} how little a
portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who
can understand?
(m) If these few things which we see daily with our eyes,
declare his great power and providence, how much more
would they appear, if we were to comprehend all his
works.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 27:2
27:2 [As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my {a} judgment; and
the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul;
(a) He has so sore afflicted me that men cannot judge my
uprightness; for they judge only by outward signs.
Job 27:4
27:4 {b} My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter
deceit.
(b) However men judge me, yet will I not speak contrary to
that which I have said, and so do wickedly in betraying
the truth.
Job 27:5
27:5 God forbid that I should {c} justify you: till I die I will
not remove mine {d} integrity from me.
(c) Which condemns me as a wicked man, because the hand of
God is on me.
(d) I will not confess that God does thus punish me for my
sins.
Job 27:6
27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my
heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I {e} live.
(e) Of my life past.
Job 27:8
27:8 For what [is] the {f} hope of the hypocrite, though he hath
gained, when God taketh away his soul?
(f) What advantage has the dissembler to gain, seeing he
will lose his own soul?
Job 27:11
27:11 I will teach you by the hand of {g} God: [that] which [is]
with the Almighty will I not conceal.
(g) That is, what God reserves for himself, and of which
he gives not knowledge to all.
Job 27:12
27:12 Behold, all ye yourselves {h} have seen [it]; why then are
ye thus altogether {i} vain?
{h} That is, these secret judgments of God and yet do not
understand them.
(i) Why do you then maintain this error?
Job 27:13
27:13 This [is] the {k} portion of a wicked man with God, and
the heritage of oppressors, [which] they shall receive of
the Almighty.
(k) Thus will God order the wicked, and punish him even to
his posterity.
Job 27:15
27:15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his
widows {l} shall not weep.
(l) No one will lament him.
Job 27:18
27:18 He buildeth his house as a {m} moth, and as a booth [that]
the keeper maketh.
(m) Which breeds in another man's possessions or garment,
but is soon shaken out.
Job 27:19
27:19 The rich man shall lie down, but {n} he shall not be
gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not.
(n) He means that the wicked tyrants will not have a quiet
death, nor be buried honourably.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 28:1
28:1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, {a} and a place for
gold [where] they fine [it].
(a) His purpose is to declare that man may attain in this
world to various secrets of nature, but man is never
able to comprehend the wisdom of God.
Job 28:3
28:3 He setteth an end to darkness, {b} and searcheth out all
perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of
death.
(b) There is nothing but it is compassed within certain
limits, and has an end, but God's wisdom.
Job 28:4
28:4 The flood breaketh out from the {c} inhabitant; [even the
waters] {d} forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they
are gone away from men.
(c) Meaning, him that dwells by it.
Job 28:5
28:5 [As for] the earth, out of it cometh {e} bread: and under
it is turned up as it were fire.
(e) That is, come and underneath is brimstone or coal,
which easily conceives fire.
Job 28:6
28:6 The stones of it [are] the place {f} of sapphires: and it
hath dust of gold.
(f) He alludes to the mines and secrets of nature, which
are under the earth, into which neither souls nor
beasts can enter.
Job 28:9
28:9 He putteth forth his hand upon the {g} rock; he overturneth
the mountains by the roots.
(g) After he has declared the wisdom of God in the secrets
of nature he describes his power.
Job 28:12
28:12 But where shall wisdom be found? {h} and where [is] the
place of understanding?
(h) Though God's power and wisdom may be understood in
earthly things, yet his heavenly wisdom cannot be
attained to.
Job 28:13
28:13 Man knoweth not {i} the price thereof; neither is it found
in the land of the living.
(i) It is too high a thing for man to attain to in this
world.
Job 28:15
28:15 It cannot be gotten for {k} gold, neither shall silver be
weighed [for] the price thereof.
(k) It can neither be bought for gold nor precious stones,
but is only the gift of God.
Job 28:18
28:18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of {l} pearls: for
the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.
(l) Which was thought to be a king of precious stone.
Job 28:21
28:21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept
close from the {m} fowls of the air.
(m) Meaning that there is no natural means by which man
can attain heavenly wisdom: which he means by the
souls, that fly high.
Job 28:23
28:23 God understandeth the {n} way thereof, and he knoweth the
place thereof.
(n) He makes God the only author of this wisdom, and the
giver of it.
Job 28:28
28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the {o} fear of the Lord,
that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is]
understanding.
(o) He declares that man has as much of this heavenly
wisdom as he shows by fearing God and departing from
evil.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 29:3
29:3 When his {a} candle shined upon my head, [and when] by his
light I walked [through] {b} darkness;
(a) When I felt his favour.
(b) I was free from affliction.
Job 29:4
29:4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the {c} secret of
God [was] upon my tabernacle;
(c) That is, seemed by evident tokens to be more present
with me.
Job 29:6
29:6 When I washed my steps {d} with butter, and the rock poured
me out rivers of oil;
(d) By these comparisons he declares the great prosperity
that he was in, so that he had no opportunity to be
such a sinner as they accused him.
Job 29:8
29:8 The young men saw me, and {e} hid themselves: and the aged
arose, [and] stood up.
(e) Being ashamed of their lightness and afraid of my
gravity.
Job 29:9
29:9 The princes refrained talking, and laid [their] hand on
their {f} mouth.
(f) Acknowledging my wisdom.
Job 29:11
29:11 When the {g} ear heard [me], then it blessed me; and when
the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me:
(g) All that heard me, praised me.
Job 29:12
29:12 Because I delivered the {i} poor that cried, and the
fatherless, and [him that had] none to help him.
(i) Because his adversaries did so much charge him with
wickedness, he is compelled to render account of his
life.
Job 29:13
29:13 {k} The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon
me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
(k) That is, I helped him who was in distress, and so he
had cause to praise me.
Job 29:14
29:14 I put on {l} righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment
[was] as a robe and a diadem.
(l) I delighted to do justice, as others did to wear
costly apparel.
Job 29:18
29:18 Then I said, I shall die in my {m} nest, and I shall
multiply [my] days as the sand.
(m) That is, at home in my bed without all trouble and
unquietness.
Job 29:19
29:19 My root [was] {n} spread out by the waters, and the dew
lay all night upon my branch.
(n) My happiness increases.
Job 29:22
29:22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech {o}
dropped upon them.
(o) That is, was pleasant to them.
Job 29:23
29:23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened
their mouth wide {p} [as] for the latter rain.
(p) As the dry ground thirsts for the rain.
Job 29:24
29:24 [If] I {q} laughed on them, they believed [it] not; and
the light of my countenance they {r} cast not down.
(q) That is, they thought it not to be a rest, or they did
not think that I would condescend to them.
(r) They were afraid to offend me and cause me to be
angry.
Job 29:25
29:25 I chose out {s} their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a
king in the army, as one [that] comforteth the mourners.
(s) I had them at commandment.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 30:1
30:1 But now [they that are] younger than I {a} have me in
derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set
with the {b} dogs of my flock.
(a) That is, my estate is changed and while before the
ancient men were glad to revere me, the young men now
contemn me.
(b) Meaning to be my shepherds or to keep my dogs.
Job 30:2
30:2 Yea, whereto [might] the strength of their hands [profit]
me, in whom old age was {c} perished?
(c) That is, their fathers died of hunger before they came
to age.
Job 30:5
30:5 They were {d} driven forth from among [men], (they cried
after them as [after] a thief;)
(d) Job shows that those who mocked him in his affliction
were like their fathers, wicked and lewd fellows, such
as he here describes.
Job 30:9
30:9 And now am I their {e} song, yea, I am their byword.
(e) They make songs of me, and mock my misery.
Job 30:11
30:11 Because he hath loosed my {f} cord, and afflicted me, {g}
they have also let loose the bridle before me.
(f) God has taken from me the force, credit, and authority
with which I kept them in subjection.
(g) He said that the young men when they saw him, hid
themselves as in Job 29:8, and now in his misery
they were impudent and licentious.
Job 30:12
30:12 Upon [my] right [hand] rise the youth; they push away my
feet, and they raise up against me the {h} ways of their
destruction.
(h) That is, they sought by all means how they might
destroy me.
Job 30:13
30:13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have
no {i} helper.
(i) They need no one to help them.
Job 30:14
30:14 They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]: in
the {k} desolation they rolled themselves [upon me].
(k) By my calamity they took an opportunity against me.
Job 30:16
30:16 And now my soul is {l} poured out upon me; the days of
affliction have taken hold upon me.
(l) My life fails me, and I am as half dead.
Job 30:17
30:17 {m} My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my
sinews take no rest.
(m) Meaning sorrow.
Job 30:19
30:19 {n} He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like
dust and ashes.
(n) That is, God has brought me into contempt.
Job 30:21
30:21 Thou art become {o} cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou
opposest thyself against me.
(o) He does not speak this way to accuse God, but to
declare the vehemency of his affliction, by which he
was carried beside himself.
Job 30:22
30:22 Thou liftest me up to the {p} wind; thou causest me to
ride [upon it], and dissolvest my substance.
(p) He compares his afflictions to a tempest or whirlwind.
Job 30:24
30:24 Howbeit he will not stretch out [his] hand {q} to the
grave, though they cry in his destruction.
(q) No one can deliver me from there, though they lament
my death.
Job 30:26
30:26 When I looked for good, then {r} evil came [unto me]: and
when I waited for light, there came darkness.
(r) Instead of comforting they mocked me.
Job 30:28
30:28 I went mourning {s} without the sun: I stood up, {t} [and]
I cried in the congregation.
(s) Not delighting in any worldly thing, no not so much as
in the use of the sun.
(t) Lamenting them that were in affliction and moving
others to pity them.
Job 30:29
30:29 I am a brother to {u} dragons, and a companion to owls.
(u) I am like the wild beasts that desire solitary places.
Job 30:30
30:30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with {x}
heat.
(x) With the heat of affliction.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 31:1
31:1 I made a covenant with mine {a} eyes; why then should I
think upon {b} a maid?
(a) I kept my eyes from all wanton looks.
(b) Would not God then have punished me?
Job 31:3
31:3 [Is] not destruction to the wicked? and a strange
[punishment] to {c} the workers of iniquity?
(c) Job declares that the fear of God was a bridle to stay
him from all wickedness.
Job 31:6
31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know
mine {d} integrity.
(d) He shows what his uprightness stands in, in as much as
he was blameless before men and did not sin against the
second table.
Job 31:7
31:7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart {e}
walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to
mine hands;
(e) That is, has accomplished the lust of my eyes.
Job 31:8
31:8 [Then] let me sow, and let another {f} eat; yea, let my
offspring be rooted out.
(f) According to the curse of the law, De 28:33.
Job 31:10
31:10 [Then] let my wife {g} grind unto another, and let others
bow down upon her.
(g) Let her be made a slave.
Job 31:12
31:12 For it [is] a fire [that] consumeth {h} to destruction,
and would root out all mine increase.
(h) He shows that although man neglects the punishment of
adultery, yet the wrath of God will never cease till
such are destroyed.
Job 31:13
31:13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my
maidservant, when they {i} contended with me;
(i) When they thought themselves evil intreated by me.
Job 31:14
31:14 What then shall I do when {k} God riseth up? and when he
visiteth, what shall I answer him?
(k) If I had oppressed others, how would I have escaped
God's judgment.
Job 31:15
31:15 Did not he that made me in the womb make {l} him? and did
not one fashion us in the womb?
(l) He was moved to show pity to servants, because they
were God's creatures as he was.
Job 31:16
31:16 If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire, or have
caused the eyes of the widow {m} to fail;
(m) By long waiting for her request.
Job 31:18
31:18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, {n} as
[with] a father, and I have guided her from my mother's
womb;)
(n) He nourished the fatherless, and maintained the widows
cause.
Job 31:21
31:21 If I have lifted {o} up my hand against the fatherless,
when I saw my help in the gate:
(o) To oppress him and to do him harm.
Job 31:22
31:22 [Then] let mine {p} arm fall from my shoulder blade, and
mine arm be broken from the bone.
(p) Let me rot in pieces.
Job 31:23
31:23 For destruction [from] God [was] a {q} terror to me, and
by reason of his highness I could not endure.
(q) I did not refrain from sin for fear of men, but
because I feared God.
Job 31:26
31:26 If I beheld the {r} sun when it shined, or the moon
walking [in] brightness;
(r) If I was proud of my worldly prosperity and happiness,
which is meant by the shining of the sun, and
brightness of the moon.
Job 31:27
31:27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath
kissed my {s} hand:
(s) If my own doings delighted me.
Job 31:28
31:28 This also [were] an iniquity [to be punished by] the
judge: for I should have denied the God [that is] {t}
above.
(t) By putting confidence in anything but in him alone.
Job 31:31
31:31 If the men of my {u} tabernacle said not, Oh that we had
of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
(u) My servants moved me to be avenged of my enemy, yet I
never wished him harm.
Job 31:33
31:33 If I covered {x} my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine
iniquity in my bosom:
(x) Not confessed it freely, by which it is evident that
he justified himself before men, and not before God.
Job 31:34
31:34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of
families {y} terrify me, that I kept {z} silence, [and]
went not out of the door?
(y) That is, I reverenced the most weak and contemned and
was afraid to offend them.
(z) I suffered them to speak evil of me, and went not out
of my house to avenge it.
Job 31:35
31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my {a} desire [is,
that] the Almighty would answer me, and [that] mine
adversary had written a book.
(a) This is a sufficient token of my righteousness, that
God is my witness and will justify my cause.
Job 31:36
31:36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, [and] bind it
[as] a {b} crown to me.
(b) Should not this book of his accusations be a praise
and commendation to me?
Job 31:37
31:37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a {c}
prince would I go near unto him.
(c) I will make him account of all my life, without fear.
Job 31:38
31:38 If my land {d} cry against me, or that the furrows
likewise thereof complain;
(d) As though I had withheld their wages that laboured in
it.
Job 31:39
31:39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have
caused {e} the owners thereof to lose their life:
(e) Meaning, that he was not a briber or extortioner.
Job 31:40
31:40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of
barley. The {f} words of Job are ended.
(f) That is, the talk which he had with his three friends.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 32:2
32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the
{a} Buzite, of the kindred of {b} Ram: against Job was his
wrath kindled, because he justified himself {c} rather than
God.
(a) Which came from Buz, the son of Nahor, Abraham's
brother.
(b) Or, as the Chaldee translation reads, Abram.
(c) By making himself innocent, and by charging God of
rigour.
Job 32:4
32:4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because {d} they
[were] elder than he.
(d) That is, the three mentioned before.
Job 32:7
32:7 I said, Days {e} should speak, and multitude of years
should teach wisdom.
(e) Meaning, the ancient, who have experience.
Job 32:8
32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: {f} and the inspiration of
the Almighty giveth them understanding.
(f) It is a special gift of God that man has understanding
and comes neither from nature nor by age.
Job 32:11
32:11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your
reasons, whilst ye searched out {g} what to say.
(g) To prove that Job's affliction came for his sins.
Job 32:13
32:13 Lest ye should say, We have {h} found out wisdom: God
thrusteth him down, not man.
(h) Flatter yourselves as though you had overcome him.
Job 32:14
32:14 Now {i} he hath not directed [his] words against me:
neither will I answer {k} him with your speeches.
(i) That is, Job.
(k) He uses almost the same arguments but without taunting
and reproaches.
Job 32:18
32:18 For I am full of {l} matter, the spirit within me
constraineth me.
(l) I have conceived in my mind a great store of reasons.
Job 32:21
32:21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, {m}
neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
(m) I will neither have regard for riches, credit, nor
authority but will speak the very truth.
Job 32:22
32:22 For I know not to give flattering {n} titles; [in so
doing] my maker would soon take me away.
(n) The Hebrew word signifies to change the name as to
call a fool a wise man: meaning, that he would not
cloak the truth to flatter men.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 33:4
33:4 The {a} Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the
Almighty hath given me life.
(a) I confess the power of God, and am one of his,
therefore you should hear me.
Job 33:6
33:6 Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in {b} God's stead: I
also am formed out of the clay.
(b) Because Job had wished to dispute his cause with God,
Job 16:21 so that he might do it without fear,
Elihu says, he will reason in God's stead, whom he does
not need to fear.
Job 33:7
33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall
my hand {c} be heavy upon thee.
(c) I will not handle you so roughly as these others have
done.
Job 33:9
33:9 I am {d} clean without transgression, I [am] innocent;
neither [is there] iniquity in me.
(d) He repeats Job's words, by which he protested his
innocency in various places, but especially in the
13th, 16th and 30th chapters.
Job 33:13
33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not {e}
account of any of his matters.
(e) The cause of his judgments is not always declared to
man.
Job 33:14
33:14 For God speaketh {f} once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth
it not.
(f) Though God by various examples of his judgments speak
to man, yet the reason for it is not known, yea and
though God should speak yet is he not understood.
Job 33:15
33:15 In a dream, in a {g} vision of the night, when deep sleep
falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
(g) God, he says, speaks commonly, either by visions to
teach us the cause of his judgments, of else by
affliction or by his messenger.
Job 33:16
33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and {h} sealeth their
instruction,
(h) That is, determined to send on them.
Job 33:17
33:17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide {i}
pride from man.
(i) He shows for why God sends afflictions: to beat down
man's pride, and to turn from evil.
Job 33:20
33:20 So that his {k} life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty
meat.
(k) That is, his painful and miserable life.
Job 33:22
33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life
{l} to the destroyers.
(l) To them that will bury him.
Job 33:23
33:23 If there be a {m} messenger with him, an interpreter, one
among a thousand, {n} to shew unto man his uprightness:
(m) A man sent from God to declare his will.
(n) A singular man, and as one chosen out of a thousand,
who is able to declare the great mercies of God to
sinners: and in which man's righteousness stands,
which is through the justice of Jesus Christ.
Job 33:24
33:24 Then he is {o} gracious unto him, and saith, {p} Deliver
him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
(o) He shows that it is a sure token of God's mercy toward
sinners, when he causes his word to be preached to
them.
(p) That is, the minister will by the preaching of the
word pronounce to him the forgiveness of his sins.
Job 33:25
33:25 His flesh shall be {q} fresher than a child's: he shall
return to the days of his youth:
(q) He will feel God's favour and rejoice; declaring by
this in which stands the true joy of the faithful, and
that God will restore him to health, which is a token
of his blessing.
Job 33:26
33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto
him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will
render unto man his {r} righteousness.
(r) God will forgive his sins, and accept him as just.
Job 33:27
33:27 He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and
{s} perverted [that which was] right, and it profited {t}
me not;
(s) That is, done wickedly.
(t) But my sins have been the cause of God's wrath toward
me.
Job 33:28
33:28 {u} He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and
his life shall see the light.
(u) God will forgive the penitent sinner.
Job 33:29
33:29 Lo, all these [things] worketh God {x} oftentimes with
man,
(x) Meaning, as often as a sinner repents.
Job 33:32
33:32 If thou hast any {y} thing to say, answer me: speak, for I
desire to {z} justify thee.
(y) If you doubt anything, or see opportunity to speak
against it.
(z) That is, to show you, in which mans justification
consists.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 34:2
34:2 Hear my words, O ye {a} wise [men]; and give ear unto me,
ye that have knowledge.
(a) Which are esteemed wise by the world.
Job 34:4
34:4 Let us choose to us {b} judgment: let us know among
ourselves what [is] good.
(b) Let us examine the matter uprightly.
Job 34:5
34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken {c}
away my judgment.
(c) That is, has afflicted me without measure.
Job 34:6
34:6 Should I lie against my {d} right? my wound [is] {e}
incurable without transgression.
(d) Should I say, I am wicked, being an innocent?
(e) I am more punished, than my sin deserves.
Job 34:7
34:7 What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up {f} scorning like
water?
(f) Which is compelled to receive your reproach and scorns
of many for his foolish words.
Job 34:8
34:8 Which goeth in {g} company with the workers of iniquity,
and walketh with wicked men.
(g) Meaning that Job was like the wicked, because he seemed
not to glorify God and submit himself to his judgments.
Job 34:9
34:9 For he hath said, {h} It profiteth a man nothing that he
should {i} delight himself with God.
(h) He wrests Job's words who said that God's children are
often punished in this world, and the wicked go free.
(i) That is, live godly, Ge 5:22.
Job 34:14
34:14 If {k} he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto
himself his spirit {l} and his breath;
(k) To destroy him.
(l) The breath of life which he gave man.
Job 34:17
34:17 Shall even he that hateth right {m} govern? and wilt thou
condemn him that is most just?
(m) If God were not just, how could be govern the world?
Job 34:18
34:18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] {n} wicked?
[and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?
(n) If man by nature fears to speak evil of such as have
power, then they should be much more afraid to speak
evil of God.
Job 34:20
34:20 In a moment shall they die, {o} and the people shall be
troubled at midnight, {p} and pass away: and the mighty
shall be taken away without hand.
(o) When they look not for it.
(p) The messengers of visitation that God will send.
Job 34:23
34:23 For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he
should {q} enter into judgment with God.
(q) God does not afflict man above measure so that he
should have opportunity to contend with him.
Job 34:24
34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without {r} number,
and set others in their stead.
(r) For all his creatures are at hand to serve him, so
that he needs not to seek for any other army.
Job 34:25
34:25 Therefore he knoweth their {s} works, and he overturneth
[them] in the {t} night, so that they are destroyed.
(s) Make it known that they are wicked.
(t) Declare the things that were hid.
Job 34:26
34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of {u}
others;
(u) Meaning, openly in the sight of all men.
Job 34:28
34:28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to {x} come unto
him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
(x) By their cruelty and extortion.
Job 34:30
34:30 That the {y} hypocrite reign not, lest the people be
ensnared.
(y) When tyrants sit in the throne of justice which under
pretence of executing justice are hypocrites and
oppress the people, it is a sign that God has drawn
back his countenance of favour from that place.
Job 34:31
34:31 Surely it is meet {z} to be said unto God, I have borne
[chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:
(z) It only belongs to God to moderate his corrections,
and not to man.
Job 34:32
34:32 {a} [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done
iniquity, I will do no more.
(a) Thus Elihu speaks in the person of God, as it were
mocking Job, because he would be wiser than God.
Job 34:33
34:33 [Should it be] according to {b} thy mind? he will
recompense {c} it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou
choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
(b) Will God use your counsel in doing his works?
(c) Thus he speaks in the person of God, as though Job
should chose and refuse affliction at his pleasure.
Job 34:36
34:36 My desire [is that] Job may be {d} tried unto the end
because of [his] answers for wicked men.
(d) That he may speak as much as he can, that we may
answer him and all the wicked that will use such
arguments.
Job 34:37
34:37 For he {e} addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his
hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
(e) He stands stubbornly to the maintenance of his cause.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 35:2
35:2 Thinkest thou this to be right, [that] thou saidst, My {a}
righteousness [is] more than God's?
(a) Job never spoke these words: but because he maintained
his innocency, it seemed as though he would say, that
God tormented him without just cause.
Job 35:4
35:4 I will answer thee, and thy {b} companions with thee.
(b) Such as are in the same error.
Job 35:5
35:5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the {c} clouds
[which] are higher than thou.
(c) If you cannot control the clouds, will you presume to
instruct God?
Job 35:6
35:6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou {d} against him? or [if]
thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
(d) Neither does your sin hurt God, nor your justice profit
him: for he will be glorified without you.
Job 35:9
35:9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the
oppressed] {e} to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of
the mighty.
(e) The wicked may hurt man and cause him to cry, who if he
sought God who lends comfort would be delivered.
Job 35:12
35:12 There they cry, {f} but none giveth answer, because of the
pride of evil men.
(f) Because they pray not in faith, as feeling God's
mercies.
Job 35:14
35:14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, {g} [yet]
judgment [is] before him; therefore trust thou in him.
(g) God is just, however you judge him.
Job 35:16
35:16 Therefore doth Job {h} open his mouth in vain; he
multiplieth words without knowledge.
(h) For if he punished you as you deserved, you would not
be able to open your mouth.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 36:3
36:3 I will fetch {a} my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe
righteousness to my Maker.
(a) He shows that when we speak of God, we must lift our
spirits higher than our natural sense is able to reach.
Job 36:4
36:4 For truly my words [shall] not [be] false: he that is {b}
perfect in knowledge [is] with thee.
(b) You will perceive that I am a faithful instructor, and
that I speak to you in the name of God.
Job 36:5
36:5 Behold, God [is] mighty, and despiseth not [any: he is] {c}
mighty in strength [and] wisdom.
(c) Strong and constant, and of understanding: for these
are the gifts of God, and he loves them in man: but as
much as God punished Job now, it is a sign that these
are not in him.
Job 36:6
36:6 He {d} preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth
right to the poor.
(d) Therefore he will not preserve the wicked, but to the
humble and afflicted heart he will show grace.
Job 36:7
36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with
{e} kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish
them for ever, and they are exalted.
(e) He prefers the godly to honour.
Job 36:9
36:9 Then he sheweth them their {f} work, and their
transgressions that they have exceeded.
(f) He will move their hearts to feel their sins that they
may come to him by repentance as he did Manasseh.
Job 36:12
36:12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and
they shall die {g} without knowledge.
(g) That is, in their folly or obstinacy, and so shall
cause their own destruction.
Job 36:13
36:13 But the hypocrites {h} in heart heap up wrath: they {i}
cry not when he bindeth them.
(h) Which are maliciously bent against God, and flatter
themselves in their vices.
(i) When they are in affliction they do not seek God for
help, as Asa in 2Ch 16:12.
Job 36:14
36:14 They die in {k} youth, and their life [is] among the
unclean.
(k) They die of some vile death, and that before they come
to age.
Job 36:16
36:16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait
[into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness; and
{l} that which should be set on thy table [should be] full
of fatness.
(l) If you had been obedient to God, he would have brought
you to freedom and wealth.
Job 36:17
36:17 But thou hast fulfilled the {m} judgment of the wicked:
judgment and justice take hold [on thee].
(m) You are altogether after the manner of the wicked: for
you murmur against the justice of God.
Job 36:18
36:18 {n} Because [there is] wrath, [beware] lest he take thee
away with [his] stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver
thee.
(n) God punishes you, lest you forget God in your wealth
and so perish.
Job 36:20
36:20 {o} Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their
place.
(o) Do not be curious in seeking the cause of God's
judgments, when he destroys any.
Job 36:21
36:21 Take heed, regard not {p} iniquity: for this hast thou
chosen rather than affliction.
(p) And so murmur against God through impatiency.
Job 36:25
36:25 Every man may see it; man may behold [it] {q} afar off.
(q) The works of God are revealed, that a man may see them
afar off, and know God by the same.
Job 36:26
36:26 Behold, God [is] great, {r} and we know [him] not, neither
can the number of his years be searched out.
(r) Our infirmity hinders us so that we cannot attain the
perfect knowledge of God.
Job 36:27
36:27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they {s} pour down
rain according to the vapour thereof:
(s) That is, the rain comes from those drops of water
which he keeps in the clouds.
Job 36:29
36:29 Also can [any] understand the spreadings of the clouds,
[or] the noise of his {t} tabernacle?
(t) Meaning, of the clouds, which he calls the tabernacle
of God.
Job 36:30
36:30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon {u} it, and covereth
the {x} bottom of the sea.
(u) Upon the cloud.
(x) That men cannot come to the knowledge of the springs
of it.
Job 36:31
36:31 For by them judgeth he {y} the people; he giveth meat in
abundance.
(y) He shows that the rain has a double use: the one that
it declares God's judgments, when it overflows any
places, and the other that it makes the land fruitful.
Job 36:32
36:32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it [not
to shine] by [the cloud] that cometh {z} betwixt.
(z) That is, one cloud to dash against another.
Job 36:33
36:33 {a} The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle
also concerning the vapour.
(a) The cold vapour shows him: that is, the cloud of the
hot exhalation, which being taken in the cold cloud
mounts up toward the place where the fire is, and so
anger is engendered; that is, noise and thunderclaps.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 37:1
37:1 At this also my heart {a} trembleth, and is moved out of
his place.
(a) At the marvelling of the thunder and lightnings: by
which he declares that the faithful are lively touched
with the majesty of God, when they behold his works.
Job 37:2
37:2 Hear attentively the {b} noise of his voice, and the sound
[that] goeth out of his mouth.
(b) That is the thunder, by which he speaks to men to waken
their dullness, and to bring them to the consideration
of his works.
Job 37:4
37:4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of
his excellency; and he will not stay {c} them when his
voice is heard.
(c) Meaning, the rains and thunders.
Job 37:6
37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou [on] the earth; {d}
likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his
strength.
(d) So that neither small rain nor great, snow nor anything
else comes without God's appointment.
Job 37:7
37:7 He {e} sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may
know his work.
(e) By rains and thunders God causes men to keep themselves
within their houses.
Job 37:9
37:9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the
{f} north.
(f) In Hebrew it is called the scattering wind, because it
drives away the clouds and purges the air.
Job 37:10
37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of
the waters {g} is straitened.
(g) That is, frozen up and dried.
Job 37:11
37:11 Also by watering he {h} wearieth the thick cloud: he
scattereth his {i} bright cloud:
(h) Gather the vapours and move to and fro to water the
earth.
(i) That is, the cloud that has lightning in it.
Job 37:13
37:13 He causeth it to come, whether for {k} correction, or for
his land, or for mercy.
(k) Rain, cold, heat, tempests and such like are sent from
God, either to punish man, or to profit the earth, or
to declare his favour toward man, as in
Job 36:31.
Job 37:15
37:15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the {l}
light of his cloud to shine?
(l) That is, the lightning to break forth in the clouds?
Job 37:16
37:16 Dost thou know the {m} balancings of the clouds, the
wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
(m) Which is sometimes changed into rain, or snow, hail or
such like.
Job 37:17
37:17 How thy garments [are] {n} warm, when he quieteth the
earth by the south [wind]?
(n) Why your clothes should keep you warm when the
south wind blows rather than when any other wind blows?
Job 37:18
37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, [which is] strong,
[and] as a molten looking {o} glass?
(o) For the clearness.
Job 37:19
37:19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; [for] we cannot order
[our speech] by reason of {p} darkness.
(p) That is, our ignorance: signifying that Job was so
presumptuous, that he would control the works of God.
Job 37:20
37:20 Shall it be {q} told him that I speak? if a man speak,
surely he shall be swallowed up.
(q) Has God need that any should tell him when man murmurs
against him?
Job 37:21
37:21 And now [men] see not the bright light {s} which [is] in
the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
(s) The cloud stops the shining of the sun, that man
cannot see it till the wind has chased away the cloud:
and if man is not able to attain to the knowledge of
these things, how much less God's judgments?
Job 37:22
37:22 {t} Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God [is]
terrible majesty.
(t) In Hebrew, gold, meaning fair weather and clear as
gold.
Job 37:23
37:23 [Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: [he is]
excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of
justice: he will not {u} afflict.
(u) Meaning, without cause.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 38:1
38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the {a} whirlwind, and
said,
(a) That his words might have greater majesty, and that Job
might know with whom he had to do.
Job 38:2
38:2 Who [is] this that {b} darkeneth counsel by words without
knowledge?
(b) Which by seeking out the secret counsel of God by man's
reason, makes it more obscure, and shows his own folly.
Job 38:3
38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I {c} will demand of
thee, and answer thou me.
(c) Because he wished to dispute with God, Job 23:3,
God reasons with him, to declare his rashness.
Job 38:4
38:4 Where wast thou when I {d} laid the foundations of the
earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
(d) Seeing he could not judge those things which were done
so long before he was born, he was not able to
comprehend all God's works: much less the secret causes
of his judgments.
Job 38:7
38:7 When the morning stars {e} sang together, and all the {f}
sons of God shouted for joy?
(e) The stars and dumb creatures are said to praise God,
because his power, wisdom and goodness is manifest and
known in it.
(f) Meaning the angels.
Job 38:9
38:9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick
darkness a {g} swaddlingband for it,
(g) As though the great sea was but as a little baby in the
hands of God to turn to and fro.
Job 38:11
38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and
here shall thy proud waves be {h} stayed?
(h) That is, God's decree and commandment as in
Job 38:10.
Job 38:12
38:12 Hast thou commanded the {i} morning since thy days; [and]
caused the dayspring to know his place;
(i) That is, to rise, since you were born?
Job 38:13
38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the
wicked might be {k} shaken out of it?
(k) Who having in the night been given to wickedness,
cannot abide the light, but hide themselves.
Job 38:14
38:14 It is turned as clay [to] the seal; {l} and they stand as
a garment.
(l) The earth which seemed in the night to have no form by
the rising of the sun, is as it were created anew, and
all things in it clad with new beauty.
Job 38:16
38:16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast
thou walked in the search of the {m} depth?
(m) If you are not able to seek out the depth of the sea,
how much less are you able to comprehend the counsel
of God?
Job 38:20
38:20 That thou {n} shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and
that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof?
(n) That you might appoint its highways and limits.
Job 38:23
38:23 Which I have reserved {o} against the time of trouble,
against the day of battle and war?
(o) To punish my enemies with them,
Ex 9:18, Jos 10:11.
Job 38:30
38:30 The waters are hid {p} as [with] a stone, and the face of
the deep is frozen.
(p) The ice covers it, as though it were paved with stone.
Job 38:31
38:31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences {q} of Pleiades, or
loose the bands of {r} Orion?
(q) Which rise when the sun is in Taurus, which is the
spring, and brings flowers.
(r) Which comes in winter.
Job 38:32
38:32 Canst thou bring forth {s} Mazzaroth in his season? or
canst thou guide {t} Arcturus with his sons?
(s) Certain stars so called, some think they were the
twelve signs.
(t) The north star with those that are about him.
Job 38:33
38:33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the
{u} dominion thereof in the earth?
(u) Can you cause the heavenly bodies to have any power
over the earthly bodies?
Job 38:36
38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the {x} inward parts? or who hath
given understanding to the heart?
(x) In the secret parts of man.
Job 38:37
38:37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the
{y} bottles of heaven,
(y) That is, the clouds in which the water is contained as
in bottles.
Job 38:38
38:38 When the dust groweth into hardness, {z} and the clods
cleave fast together?
(z) For when God does not open these bottles, the earth
comes to this inconvenience.
Job 38:39
38:39 Wilt {a} thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the
appetite of the young lions,
(a) After he had declared God's works in the heavens, he
shows his marvellous providence in earth, even toward
the brute beasts.
Job 38:41
38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones
{b} cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
(b) Read Ps 147:9.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 39:2
39:2 Canst thou number the months [that] they {d} fulfil? or
knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
(d) That is, how long they go with young?
Job 39:3
39:3 They bow themselves, they {e} bring forth their young ones,
they cast out their sorrows.
(e) They bring forth with great difficulty.
Job 39:6
39:6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the {f} barren
land his dwellings.
(f) That is, the barren ground where no good fruit grows.
Job 39:9
39:9 Will the unicorn be willing to {g} serve thee, or abide by
thy crib?
(g) Is it possible to make the unicorn tame? signifying
that if man cannot rule a creature, that it is much
more impossible that he should appoint the wisdom of
God, by which he governs all the world.
Job 39:14
39:14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and {h} warmeth them
in dust,
(h) They write that the ostrich covers her eggs in the
sand, and because the country is hot and the sun still
keeps them warm, they are hatched.
Job 39:16
39:16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though [they
were] not hers: her labour is {i} in vain without fear;
(i) If he should take care of them.
Job 39:17
39:17 Because God hath deprived her of {k} wisdom, neither hath
he imparted to her understanding.
(k) That is, to have a care and natural affection toward
his young.
Job 39:18
39:18 What {l} time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth
the horse and his rider.
(l) When the young ostrich is grown up, he outruns the
horse.
Job 39:19
39:19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his
neck with {m} thunder?
(m) That is, given him courage? which is meant by neighing
and shaking his neck.
Job 39:21
39:21 He {n} paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in [his]
strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
(n) He beats with his hoof.
Job 39:24
39:24 He {o} swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage:
neither believeth he that [it is] the sound of the
trumpet.
(o) He so rides the ground that it seems nothing under
him.
Job 39:26
39:26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, [and] stretch her wings
toward the {p} south?
(p) That is, when cold comes, to fly into the warm
countries.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 40:2
40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty {q} instruct
[him]? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
(q) Is this the way for a man that will learn, to strive
with God? which he reproves in Job.
Job 40:4
40:4 Behold, I am {r} vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay
mine hand upon my mouth.
(r) By which he shows that he repented and desired pardon
for his faults.
Job 40:8
40:8 Wilt thou also disannul {a} my judgment? wilt thou condemn
me, that thou mayest be righteous?
(a) Signifying that they who justify themselves condemn God
as unjust.
Job 40:10
40:10 Deck thyself now [with] {b} majesty and excellency; and
array thyself with glory and beauty.
(b) Meaning, that these were proper to God, and belonged
to no man.
Job 40:13
40:13 Hide them in the dust together; [and] bind {c} their faces
in secret.
(c) Cause them to die if you can.
Job 40:14
40:14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right
hand can {d} save thee.
(d) Proving by this that whoever attributes to himself
power and ability to save himself, makes himself God.
Job 40:15
40:15 Behold now {e} behemoth, which I made {f} with thee; he
eateth {g} grass as an ox.
(e) This beast is thought to be the elephant, or some
other, which is unknown.
(f) Whom I made as well as you.
(g) This commends the providence of God toward man: for if
he were given to devour as a lion, nothing would be
able to resist him, or content him.
Job 40:19
40:19 {h} He [is] the chief of the ways of God: {i} he that made
him can make his sword to approach [unto him].
(h) He is one of the chief works of God among the beasts.
(i) Though man dare not come near him, yet God can kill
him.
Job 40:23
40:23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, {k} [and] hasteth not: he
trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
(k) He drinks at leisure, and fears nobody.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 41:1
41:1 Canst thou draw out {l} leviathan with an hook? or his
tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?
(l) Meaning the whale.
Job 41:2
41:2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or {m} bore his jaw
through with a thorn?
(m) Because he fears lest you should take him.
Job 41:4
41:4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take {n} him
for a servant for ever?
(n) To do your business, and be at your command?
Job 41:8
41:8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember {o} the battle, do no
more.
(o) If you once consider the danger, you will not meddle
with him.
Job 41:9
41:9 Behold, {p} the hope of him is in vain: shall not [one] be
cast down even at the sight of him?
(p) That is, that trusts to take him.
Job 41:10
41:10 None [is so] fierce that dare stir him up: who then is
able to {a} stand before me?
(a) If no one dare stand against a whale, which is but a
creature, who is able to compare with God the creator?
Job 41:11
41:11 Who hath prevented me, that I should {b} repay [him?
whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine.
(b) Who has taught me to accomplish my work?
Job 41:12
41:12 I will not conceal {c} his parts, nor his power, nor his
comely proportion.
(c) The parts and members of the whale?
Job 41:13
41:13 Who can discover the face {d} of his garment? [or] who can
come [to him] with his double {e} bridle?
(d) That is, who dare pull off his skin?
(e) Who dare put a bridle in his mouth?
Job 41:14
41:14 Who can {f} open the doors of his face? his teeth [are]
terrible round about.
(f) Who dare look in his mouth?
Job 41:18
41:18 By his neesings {g} a light doth shine, and his eyes [are]
like the eyelids of the morning.
(g) That is, casts out flames of fire.
Job 41:22
41:22 In his neck remaineth strength, and {h} sorrow is turned
into joy before him.
(h) Nothing is painful or hard for him.
Job 41:30
41:30 Sharp stones {i} [are] under him: he spreadeth sharp
pointed things upon the mire.
(i) His skin is so hard that he lies with a great ease on
the stones as in the mud.
Job 41:31
41:31 He maketh the deep to {k} boil like a pot: he maketh the
sea like a pot of ointment.
(k) Either he makes the sea to seem like it is boiling by
his wallowing, or else he spouts water in such
abundance as it would seem that the sea boiled.
Job 41:32
41:32 He maketh a path to {l} shine after him; [one] would think
the deep [to be] hoary.
(l) That is, a white froth and shining stream before him.
Job 41:34
41:34 He beholdeth {m} all high [things]: he [is] a king over
all the children of pride.
(m) He despises all other beasts and monsters, and is the
proudest of all others.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |
Job 42:2
42:2 I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no {a}
thought can be withholden from thee.
(a) No thought so secret but you see it, nor anything that
you think but that you can bring it to pass.
Job 42:3
42:3 Who [is] he that hideth counsel without {b} knowledge?
therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too
wonderful for me, {c} which I knew not.
(b) Is there any but I? for this God laid to his charge,
Job 38:2.
(c) I confess in this my ignorance, and that I spoke of
what I did not know.
Job 42:4
42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of
thee, {d} and declare thou unto me.
(d) He shows that he will be God's scholar to learn of him.
Job 42:5
42:5 I have {e} heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now
mine eye seeth thee.
(e) I knew you only before by hearsay, but now you have
caused me to feel what you are to me, that I may resign
myself over to you.
Job 42:7
42:7 And it was [so], that after the LORD had spoken these words
unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath
is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for
ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] {f} right, as
my servant {g} Job [hath].
(f) You took in hand an evil cause, in that you condemned
him by his outward afflictions, and not comforted him
with my mercies.
(g) Who had a good cause, but handled it evil.
Job 42:8
42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams,
and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a
burnt offering; and my servant Job shall {h} pray for you:
for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your]
folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which
is] right, like my servant Job.
(h) When you have reconciled yourselves to him for the
faults that you have committed against him, he will
pray for you, and I will hear him.
Job 42:10
42:10 And the LORD turned the {i} captivity of Job, when he
prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as
much as he had before.
(i) He delivered him out of the affliction he was in.
Job 42:11
42:11 Then came there unto him all his {k} brethren, and all his
sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance
before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they
bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the
LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece
of money, and every one an earring of gold.
(k) That is, all his kindred, read Job 19:13.
Job 42:12
42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his
beginning: for he had {l} fourteen thousand sheep, and six
thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a
thousand she asses.
(l) God made him twice as rich in cattle as he was before,
and gave him as many children as he had taken from
him.
Job 42:14
42:14 And he called the name of the first, {m} Jemima; and the
name of the second, {n} Kezia; and the name of the third,
{o} Kerenhappuch.
(m) That is, of long life, or beautiful as the day.
(n) As pleasant as cassia or sweet spice.
(o) That is, the horn of beauty.
| at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. | |