There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Ver. 1. _There was a man_] A notable man, a man by an excellency, and with an accent (as it were), a man of high degree (_Animo virili praeditus_), as the word... [ Continue Reading ]
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. Ver. 2. _And there were born unto him seven sons_] This was a main part of his prosperity, to have such a numerous issue to build up his house and to heir his estate, though it proved to be _luctuosa fecunditas,_ mournful fertility, as Je... [ Continue Reading ]
His 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 the east. Ver. 3. _His substance also_] Heb. His possession or acquisition, that stock a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his sons went and feasted [in their] houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them._ Ver. 4. _And his sons went and feasted in their houses_] They were of ripe years; and although unmarried, yet had they their several houses to dwell in. T... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was so, when the days of [their] feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings [according] to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job con... [ Continue Reading ]
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Ver. 6. _Now there was a day_] Haply that day wherein Job's children were feasting their last. The Rabbis say the first day of the year, and some say the Sabbath day; but who told th... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Ver. 7. _And the Lord said unto Satan_] Either by forming and creating a voice in the air, as Mat 3:17 Job 12:25, or by an inward word, a... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 8. _Hast thou considered my servant Job_] Job then was in God's account a considerable person, and such a one a... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Ver. 9. _Then Satan answered and said_] Satan and his imps will ever have somewhat to say against the clear truth; their wits will better serve them to elude or withstand it, than their pride and malice will suffer them once to y... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast not thou made 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. Ver. 10. _Hast not thou made an hedge about him?_] Or, hast thou not trenched him in, and secured him with thine... [ Continue Reading ]
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Ver. 11. _But put forth thy hand_] Make Job feel the weight of it, as good people usually do more than others; yet not _ad exitium,_ to destruction but _ad exercitium,_ to their training, their crosses are... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Ver. 12. _And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power_] Here God in appearance condescendeth to the dev... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Ver. 13. _And there was a day_] A dismal day it proved to Job, "a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds an... [ Continue Reading ]
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: Ver. 14. _And there came a messenger_] A sad relater, not a devil in the shape of a man, as the Rabbis would have it (let that pass for a Jewish fable), but one of Job's own servants, or some ot... [ Continue Reading ]
And the 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. Ver. 15. _And the Sabeans fell upon them_] _i.e._ The Arabians, a thievish people, that lived by rapine and robbery, _Sabaei apud poetas moll... [ Continue Reading ]
While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The 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. Ver. 16. _Whiles he was yet speaking_] See here, we may, that miseries many times stay... [ Continue Reading ]
While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Ver. 17. _While he was yet speaking_] See on Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Ver. 18. _While he was yet speaking_] See Job 1:16 . _ Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine_] This was the last, but not th... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Ver. 19. _And behold, there came a great wind_] The devil, doubtless, was in this wind (as he is, by Divine... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Ver. 20. _Then Job arose, and rent his mantle_] He stirred not at the three first doleful tidings, but this fourth startleth him; for he was neither a Stoic nor a stock. His strength was not the... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Ver. 21. _And said_] He lay not on the ground dumb as a stone, as it is said of Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:37, and feigned of Niobe. He rageth not... [ Continue Reading ]
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Ver. 22. _In all this Job sinned not_] The Greek and Latin versions add here, with his lips; but I could rather be of Mercer's judgment, who referreth the former part of this verse to the mind, and the latter to the mouth (Beza.); showing that... [ Continue Reading ]