THE LAND OF UZ] a district to the E. of Palestine, and near Arabia and Edom: cp. Jeremiah 25:20; Lamentations 4:21. The word Uz occurs (_a_) as the name of a son of Aram (Genesis 10:23); (_b_) as a descendant of Seir (Genesis 36:28); (_c_) as a son of Nahor (Genesis 22:21). The names 'Aram' and 'Sei... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROLOGUE Job 1:2, which form the Prologue to the book, describe (_a_) the prosperity and piety of Job; (_b_) a scene in heaven in which the Satan questions the motives of his piety; and (_c_) his subsequent trials, which are permitted by God in order to test and confirm His servant's righteousn... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN.. THREE] sacred numbers indicating perfection. We are dealing with ideal history, as the rest of the numbers and other features here and in the Epilogue show.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job was a prince of the desert. He possessed herds of camels yielding milk and food and hair for making tents; asses for riding, and fetching water; cattle and sheep. He even possessed fields (Job 31:38). The description corresponds in each respect to the life of a free Arab chief E. of Jordan today... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day.' They took it in turns to entertain each other at their respective homes.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE DAYS.. WERE GONE ABOUT] i.e. when all seven sons had given their feast. It appears that it was Job's pious custom to gather together his children at stated intervals that atonement might be made for any neglect of God at their feasts. He sanctified them, i.e. prepared them by ablutions, etc... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THERE WAS A DAY] better, 'Now it was the day,' as if at a special season. The sons of God] i.e. the angels: cp. Job 38:7. They come before God to give account of their ministry: cp. 1 Kings 22:19. SATAN] rather, 'the Satan,' lit. 'the adversary.' The word is in common use today among Orientals.... [ Continue Reading ]
The principles of Job's conduct are questioned. Perhaps his integrity is only skin deep. Will he continue his righteous life if he is called on to suffer? 10. AN HEDGE] i.e. God's protecting care.... [ Continue Reading ]
CURSE THEE TO THY FACE] see on Job 1:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
God permits the Adversary to try Job in order to test his integrity and manifest his piety. Observe that Job's person is exempt from attack in this first trial. In view of the Satan's eagerness to prove his judgment of Job correct, God knows that this limitation of his power is necessary. 'Between... [ Continue Reading ]
SABEANS] Arab tribes. Saba is the great S. Arabian kingdom of which inscriptions going back to an early date are preserved. The Bedouin Arabs still make raids on tribes at a distance, and also, when strong enough, on the settled population.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRE OF GOD] i.e. lightning.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHALDEANS] Heb. _Kasdim,_ from the neighbourhood of the Euphrates and the Persian Gulf.... [ Continue Reading ]
RENT HIS MANTLE] Tearing the robe has always been an Eastern sign of mourning, as was also shaving the head or pulling out the hair (see Jeremiah 7:29; Micah 1:16). WORSHIPPED] lit. 'prostrated himself': cp. Genesis 18:2; Matthew 8:2. The first act of worship is submission, humility.... [ Continue Reading ]
THITHER] i.e. to the womb of mother earth. This v. (but somewhat differently rendered, cp. 1 Timothy 6:7) is used in the Burial Service. All is from God, and He has the right to do what He will with His own. THE LORD] It will be noticed as a rule the Hebrew author only uses in the dialogues such nam... [ Continue Reading ]
CHARGED GOD FOOLISHLY] lit. 'and did not offer (or, attribute) folly to God.' Thus Job successfully withstands the first test of the Adversary and remains loyal to God.... [ Continue Reading ]