Job's final survey of his whole circumstances and cause The passage falls into three parts, corresponding to the separate Chapter s: First, ch. 29, a sorrowful and regretful retrospect of his past happiness. Second, ch. 30, a contrasted picture of his present abject condition. Third, ch. 31, a s... [ Continue Reading ]
Job begins with a pathetic expression of regret as he remembers happier times. His former happiness was due to God's preserving or _watching over_him, and the loss of it was due to God's forsaking him.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse expands "preserved" or "watched over" in Job 29:2. _his candle shined upon_ Or, HIS LAMP SHINED OVER. God's lamp shone above him, and lighted his path, so that the darkness before him was made to be light, Isaiah 42:16. God's "lamp" is a figure for His favour and enlightenment and prospe... [ Continue Reading ]
_days of my youth_ lit. _days of my autumn_. It is doubtful if Job means to describe by this expression any period of his own _age_, namely his manhood. He rather compares his former time of prosperity to the _season_of the year, the autumn, the time of fruit-gathering and plenty and joy, and also t... [ Continue Reading ]
Naturally the first element in Job's happiness in those past days was the presence of his children.... [ Continue Reading ]
The second, though a less, element of his happiness was his overflowing abundance. _when I washed my steps_ Or, WHEN MY STEPS WERE WASHED in butter, i. e. bathed a figure for the overflowing abundance amidst which he walked. _the rock poured me out_ As marg., poured out _with me_or _beside me_. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
The third and chiefest element of his past happiness was the respect of men, and the joy of intercourse with them. This is the main subject of the chapter. _the gate through the city_ Or, the gate BY THE CITY. Job, a rich landowner, probably did not live in the city but on his estate that adjoined... [ Continue Reading ]
_hid themselves_ The young men withdrew out of reverence, not knowing perhaps how to meet and rightly salute one so great as Job was. _arose, and stood up_ The aged are supposed already met in the gate and seated; on Job's approach they rise and remain standing till he has sat down.... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning seems to be that Job's arrival put a stop to speech and discussion already going on, which was not resumed until he should be heard.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse may read, For the ear that heard of me blessed me, And the eye that saw me gave witness to me. Those who had only heard of him by report "blessed" him, that is, "called him happy," as one whom blessing and prosperity must follow because of his benevolence and mercy to the needy; and th... [ Continue Reading ]
The ground of this universal reverence Job's benevolent care of the poor and his strict justice to their cause.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and him that had none to help him_ Perhaps, _the fatherless, that had none to help him_, only two classes being referred to, the "poor" and the "fatherless.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and it clothed me_ Rather, and it CLOTHED ITSELF IN ME. Job clothed himself with righteousness, so that as a man he was lost in the justice that clothed him; and justice clothed itself in him he on the other hand was justice become a person.... [ Continue Reading ]
The blind he enabled to see that which of themselves they could not perceive; the lame he enabled to attain to that which of themselves they were unable to reach.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the cause which I knew not_ Rather, THE CAUSE OF HIM WHOM I KNEW NOT. Not merely the poor about him, to whom he might feel that he owed help, but even strangers who had a cause that needed unravelling he aided by his wisdom and justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
The figure is that of a beast of prey, who has its booty already in its teeth. The verse carries on Job 29:16; even when the unjust oppressor seemed already to have triumphed and carried off his prey, it was torn from his jaws.... [ Continue Reading ]
_in my nest_ i. e. surrounded by those belonging to him; he should die before them, not they before him, and in the midst of his possessions. _my days as the sand Sand_is the usual rendering of the word occurring here an image of countless number. Most modern writers translate _as the Phœnix_, in ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Job's outlook on the future, amidst this benevolent and active life. He anticipated length of days and continued prosperity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. the image, ch. Job 14:8-9. The dew lying all night upon his branch would keep it fresh and green.... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses continue the description of Job's outlook into the future in those happy days. They read better thus, 19. My root shall be spread out to the waters, And the dew shall lie all night upon my branch; 20. My glory shall be fresh in me, And my bow shall be renewed in my hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
His "glory," i. e. high respect and rank, would continue "fresh," lit. _new_, never be tarnished or diminished. His _bow_, symbol of strength and power, would like a tree renew its freshness and suppleness in his hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
Return to the main thought of the passage, his place among men, his brothers.... [ Continue Reading ]
_dropped upon them_ i. e. like a refreshing, quickening rain, when they were wearied and perplexed in counsel.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse means rather, I laughed on them, when they had no confidence, And the light of my countenance they cast not down. Job, with his broader insight and more capable counsel, smiled on those who were perplexed and despondent; what seemed insurmountable difficulty or threatened disaster to th... [ Continue Reading ]
A concluding picture of the joy which he had in the fellowship of men, and how they recognised his worth and set him as a king among them, and yet how he with his high advantages and great wealth felt towards them, being among them as one that comforteth the mourning. _I chose out their way_ The wo... [ Continue Reading ]