_God. Job answers both his friends, and with admirable humility acknowledges that in God's sight he is full of defects; but not of such a nature as to fall (Calmet) under the cognizance of man. I am not conscious to myself of anything; but....God is the judge, 1 Corinthians iv. 4. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thousand. Psalm cxlii. 2. "Woe even to the praise-worthy life of man, if God judge without mercy." (St. Augustine) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Resisted. Hebrew and Septuagint, "hardened himself against him."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Removed, by earthquakes. (Pliny, [Natural History?] ii. 83.) (Calmet) --- In Calabria, 5th February, &c., 1783, during the most destructive and dreadful earthquake, a level valley was removed entire about a mile, and a hill, with the trees still growing, was projected down a declivity half a mile,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pillars. These are represented as fixed in the waters, Proverbs viii. 29., and Psalm xxvii. 16., &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seal. So that they appear not. He alludes (Calmet) to masters confining their servants with seals, before locks were invented. (Macrobius vii. 3.) --- From these noble effects of God's power, Job takes occasion to humble himself. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heavens, like a tent, Psalm ciii. 2. These nations lived under tents; (Calmet) and beholding the magnificent one which God had spread over the heads of alol, Job, in rapture, (Haydock) wonders that he should have created such a pavilion for his servants._... [ Continue Reading ]
Arcturus, &c. These are names of stars or constellations. In Hebrew, Hash, Cesil, and Cima. (Challoner) --- And chadre theman, (Haydock) the "bottom or seals of the south," which were to him invisible, being the Antarctic constellations. The ancients were acquainted only with these four, (Hover; Vir... [ Continue Reading ]
_Understand, as he is a spirit; (Menochius) and not that God is changeable, but his works and judgments are above our comprehension, and we are always liable to change. Hence the proud erroneously think themselves to be in favour; while the humble, on the contrary, keep at a distance, and still sue... [ Continue Reading ]
_God. Protestants, " If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him." Septuagint, "For he is not turned aside by wrath;" (or Roman edition) "God, whose anger cannot be averted," (Haydock) unless we repent: (Calmet) "under him the whales below heaven bend." (Haydock) --- Per... [ Continue Reading ]
_What? Hebrew, "Much less shall I answer him, choosing even my words with him." (Haydock) --- This is the conclusion from the display of God's power. (Calmet) --- No eloquence will persuade him. (Haydock) --- Though not conscious of any sin, Job will not justify himself (1 Corinthians iv.; Worthingt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Voice. So much am I beneath his notice. How unjust were the aspersions of Job's friends, who accused him of presumption and blasphemy! (Calmet) --- No one ever spoke with greater humility (Haydock) and respect of God's absolute dominion. (Calmet) --- He will attribute nothing to his own prayers, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_Without cause. That is, without my knowing the cause; or without any crime of mine. (Challoner) --- To argue from my afflictions, that I am a criminal, is unjust, chap. ii. 3. "Notions mistaken, reasonings ill apply'd,_ And sophisms that conclude on either side." (Pope, _Pleasures, &c.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Equity. Hebrew, "if judgment, who will appoint me a time," (Haydock) or "set me before him," and undertake my defence? Who will dare to sit as judge between us?_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Condemn me, as this conduct would appear presumptuous. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "if I be just, my mouth will utter impiety," (Haydock) in declaring it. (Olymp.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IX. _ Life, under this uncertainty and affliction. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consumeth. Ecclesiastes ix. 2. (Haydock) --- This principle is incontrovertible. (Worthington) --- I do not retract it. (Menochius) --- The misery inflicted on the just, is not contrary to the goodness of the Almighty. Job perfectly discovered this truth, which puzzled his enlightened friends, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Innocent. Having expressed his sentiments clearly, now he mentions what he could desire under the pressure of misery. (Menochius) --- Seeing the danger of falling, to which he was exposed, he begged to be delivered by death. We are taught by our Saviour to pray, Lead us not into temptation, Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wicked one, (Haydock) the devil, (Menochius) or any impious person who enjoys prosperity. He, (Calmet) or even God permissively, covered the face, (Haydock) by bribes; so that judges pass sentence unjustly. --- Then. If it be not the devil, (Menochius) or God. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Good, of late. Hebrew, "they see no good."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Carrying. Hebrew literally, "of desire," belonging to one person, or full of goods, which he desires to carry quickly to market. (Menochius) --- Chaldean agrees with us. But most interpreters var. Pagnin retains the original, ebe; (Haydock) supposing the rive Abeh, or Avah, is meant. It certainly i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sorrow. I cannot entirely repress it. (Calmet) --- The more I strive, (Haydock) the greater is my pain. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Works. Hebrew, "sorrows." I dread their increase, and fear impatience. Even in the midst of prosperity, Job offered sacrifice, lest the sins of his children should be laid to his charge._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vain. Why have I endeavoured to repress my grief in silence? God does not forbid us to complain, but only to murmur. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "Since I am wicked, why did I not die?" (Haydock) --- Should a wretch be even suffered to live" (St. Chrysostom)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Snow. Nitre bring off the dirt better. Chaldean, "soap." Hebrew bor, is supposed by many to be the Borith of Jeremias ii. 22. Snow-water was also used through delicacy in summer. (Petronius; Sat.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abhor me. This striking expression intimates something extremely filthy. God will make his servants discern many stains, even when they have aimed at the greatest purity. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_There. Septuagint, "O that an umpire, ( or mediator) were between us, and one arguing and giving ear in the midst of both!"_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear him. Septuagint, "and I shall not fear, but speak. For I am not conscious to myself of injustice." (Haydock) --- The dread of incurring God's displeasure makes me prefer to be silent; and if I had no other reason, this fear would suffice, as I should not be master of myself under such anxiety... [ Continue Reading ]