Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Ver. 1. _Then the Lord answered Job_] God himself, taking the word out of Elihu's mouth (who bad spoken well, but lacked majesty to set it forth), became his own patron, _et huius disputationis sequester,_ and decider of this long controver... [ Continue Reading ]
Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Ver. 2. _Who is this that darkeneth counsel_] Who is this that talketh thus? saith God, stepping forth, as it were, from behind the hangings; how now? What is to do here? Some ancients think it meant of Elihu; but Job is the man. See... [ Continue Reading ]
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Ver. 3. _Gird up now thy loins like a man_] As men did use to do when they went to fight, 1 Kings 20:11. Stand to thy ward, and see to thyself; for I mean to assail thee and to try thy manhood. Plato hath observed, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Ver. 4. _Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?_] _q.d._ Thou wast nowhere, a mere _nonens; _ thou wast no companion or counsellor of mine; nay, not so much as an onlooker, for thou art... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Ver. 5. _Who hath laid the measures thereof_] In that circumference and diameter that it holdeth? _ If thou knowest_] Or, For thou knowest; _quandoquidem scitus es,_ a tart irony. Geometricians take upon t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;_ Ver. 6. _Whereupon are the foundations thereof fasttened?_] Surely, upon nothing, but the word of God's power. The philosophers dispute many things concerning the foundations of the earth but without any sound f... [ Continue Reading ]
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Ver. 7. _When the morning stars sang together_] There is but one morning star properly so called, viz. Phosphorus, Lucifer, or Venus, the sun's forerunner. But for their brightness, they are all called here stars of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb? Ver. 8. _Or who shut up the sea with doors_] _i.e._ With bounds and banks. The sea God shut up in the hollow parts of the earth, as in a great house, that the dry land, naturally overwhelmed thereby, mi... [ Continue Reading ]
When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, Ver. 9. _When I made the cloud the garment thereof_] When I clothed this new born child with a cloud, _Elegans allegoria_ (Jun.); commanding the vapours which environ it to serve it for garments. Clouds are begott... [ Continue Reading ]
And brake up for it my decreed [place], and set bars and doors, Ver. 10. _And brake up for it my decreed place_] That great house in the hollows of the earth, Job 38:8, gathering it together by a perpetual and powerful decree, into that place and pit. Tremellius renderetb it, _Quum diffregi pro eo... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Ver. 11. _And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further_] This God commanded, and it is done. If the sea at any time break its bounds, and overflow countries (as in Holland, Zealand, and other parts i... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; [and] caused the dayspring to know his place; Ver. 12. _Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days_] It may be thou wilt say, These are ancient things, done long before I was born; but ask me of things within my reach and remembrance. Well, then,... [ Continue Reading ]
_That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?_ Ver. 13. _That it might take hold of the ends of the earth_] That is, suddenly illighten the whole horizon; for which cause also David ascribeth wings to the morning, Psalms 139:9, so that the light is no... [ Continue Reading ]
It is turned as clay [to] the seal; and they stand as a garment. Ver. 14. _It is turned as clay to the seal_] That is, the earth, now discerned, by reason of the air enlightened. The sense is this, Like as clay in the lump, that hath no figure stamped upon it, is changed by a seal impressed, and re... [ Continue Reading ]
And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. Ver. 15. _And from the wicked their light is withholden_] They have no such joy of those comforts which the light afforded; but as it discovereth their dark practices, Ephesians 5:13, so it bringeth them forth to condi... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Ver. 16. _Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?_] Heb. into the tears of the sea, _Usque ad plorata maris,_ Job 28:11; for springs pour out water as eyes do tears; and the same Hebrew word signif... [ Continue Reading ]
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Ver. 17. _Have the gates of death been opened unto thee_] _sc._ That thou shouldest know when, how, and of what disease every man shall die; together with the state and condition of the dead. _ Or ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. Ver. 18. _Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth?_] Heb. the breadths, i.e. the length also and circumference thereof. Geographers define the length of the earth from east to west, the breadth from north to south; a... [ Continue Reading ]
Where [is] the way [where] light dwelleth? and [as for] darkness, where [is] the place thereof, Ver. 19. _Where is the way where light dwelleth?_] These are poetic terms likewise; which signify, or mean nothing else, but that God alone, without any help or work of any man, appointed the various poi... [ Continue Reading ]
That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof? Ver. 20. _That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof_] That thou shouldest take light and darkness by the hand, as it were, and lead them to the place of their abode. _ And that t... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then born? or [because] the number of thy days [is] great? Ver. 21. _Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born?_] Beza readeth it thus, These things, forsooth, thou knowest, because thou wast then born (viz. when I made them, and appointed what order and cour... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,_ Ver. 22. _Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?_] _i.e._ Into the clouds, where these meteors (whereof before, Job 37:1-24) are engendered; and from whence God, when he pleases, bringeth suc... [ Continue Reading ]
Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? Ver. 23. _Which I have reserved against the time of trouble_] Or, against the time of the enemy to punish him, as Exodus 9:24 Jos 10:11 Isaiah 30:30. By deep snows men are sometimes withered and destroyed; by viol... [ Continue Reading ]
By what way is the light parted, [which] scattereth the east wind upon the earth? Ver. 24. _By what way is the light parted_] _sc._ From the clouds by lightning, or from darkness by the sunrising? Knowest thou that? Or the cause of it? Nothing less. Something philosophers have to say here, but upon... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; Ver. 25. Who hath divided (or derived) a watercourse for the overflowing of waters] That is, the waterclouds, for the pouring out of rain, _velut per canales et tubulos,_ as by pipes and conveyances... [ Continue Reading ]
To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man; Ver. 26. _To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is_] But wild beasts only. These also are God's creatures, and he provideth food for them. How much more will he do so for us, though small f... [ Continue Reading ]
To satisfy the desolate and waste [ground]; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? Ver. 27. _To satisfy the desolate and waste ground_] The waste and waste ground, saith Broughton elegantly; and the Hebrew sounds alike. _ And to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth_]... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Ver. 28. _Hath the rain a father?_] _Subaudi, praeter me?_ saith Vatablus. Hath it any father but me? Can any of the heathen deities give rain? Or can the heavens give showers? "Art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait up... [ Continue Reading ]
Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? Ver. 29. _Out of whose womb came the ice_] Indeed of ice and water is said in a sense, _ Mater me genuit: eadem mox gignitur ex me._ But these creatures are not produced by causes which are constant and invariabl... [ Continue Reading ]
The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. Ver. 30. _The waters are hid as with a stone_] This is a further description of ice, which is hard as a stone and clear as crystal; so great is the force of frost; how much more, then, of God to do whatsoever he pleaseth. _... [ Continue Reading ]
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Ver. 31. _Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades_] That is, restrain the pleasantness of the spring, or assuage the sharpness of winter, that cold and comfortless quarter? There is none beside God who can e... [ Continue Reading ]
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Ver. 32. _Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth?_] Or, the twelve signs; or the southern stars that bring in summer. Lucifer, some render it; others, the Hyades, and others again every one of the stars or signs.... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Ver. 33. _Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?_] Either how to order them, as master over them, or to comprehend what they are certainly and perfectly. _ Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?_] A... [ Continue Reading ]
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Ver. 34. _Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds?_] Thy commanding voice, as Numbers 9:23. Some render it, Thy thunder. Will the clouds obey thee, and rain upon thee at thy pleasure? Something thou mayest get b... [ Continue Reading ]
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]? Ver. 35. _Canst thou send lightnings?_] _Nunquid emittes._ Canst thou send forth lightnings and thunder bolts, as hurtful creatures, out of the cave wherein they are kept? or as so many soldiers or servants, to do as th... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Ver. 36. _Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?_] Hitherto God hath set forth his own admirable power, wisdom, and providence in making and governing the lifeless creatures, the meteors especially. Now he come... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,_ Ver. 37. _Who can number the clouds in wisdom?_] _Quis sapphirinas efficit nubes?_ Who can make the clouds like sapphire, that is bright and clear? so some read it. Others, Who can declare the clouds? _sc._ their number,... [ Continue Reading ]
When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? Ver. 38. _When the dust groweth into hardness, &c._] When the ground hath had its fill, so that the light dust is turned into lumps of earth, and that which was tossed with every wind is clodded and glued together by water int... [ Continue Reading ]
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, Ver. 39. _Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?_] Heb. For the old lion, as Nehemiah 2:9, that cannot hunt for himself. Prey he must have, as being a very ravenous creature; but wilt thou provide it for him? With what gr... [ Continue Reading ]
When they couch in [their] dens, [and] abide in the covert to lie in wait? Ver. 40. _When they couch in their dens, &c._] When both by might and sleight they provide for themselves. Hunters with all their pains and means cannot catch a beast as soon as the lion can. An ape he hateth in a special ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Ver. 41. _Who provideth for the raven his food?_] Though the raven be a most vile creature, and hated almost of all: in some places there is a reward appointed for those that shall kill them up. Th... [ Continue Reading ]