_A.M. 2484. B.C. 1520._ Job, after pausing a little while, shows what comfort he formerly had in his house and family, Job 29:1. What honour and power he had in his country, Job 29:7. What good he did as a magistrate, Job 29:11. And what a prospect he had of the continuance of his prosperity, Job 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Job now goes on to finish his defence, and in order to it he first sets forth his condition in the time of his prosperity, against which he places, by way of contrast, his present unhappy situation, describing both with great beauty and elegance. He then proceeds to purge himself of the several crim... [ Continue Reading ]
_O that I were as in months past_ O that God would re- establish me in that happy condition wherein I was some time ago; _in the days when God preserved me_ From all those miseries which now I feel, and when I seemed to be a principal part of his care! You would then pay a greater regard to my words... [ Continue Reading ]
_As I was in the days of my youth_ In my former and flourishing days; _when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle_ When there was a secret blessing of God upon me and my family, succeeding us in all our affairs; and when God conversed freely with me, as one bosom friend with another; when I knew... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the Almighty was yet with me_ On my side; whereas now he is against me, and hath forsaken me. _When my children were about me_ Or, _servants_, for the word נערי, _nagnarai_, signifies both. When the members of my family were wont to be present to join and assist in our religious services, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I went out to the gate_ When I went from my dwelling to the gate of the city, the place of judicature, which, as has often been observed, was in the gates. _When I prepared my seat in the streets_ When I caused the seat of justice to be set for me in that _open place_, as ברחוב, _barechob_, si... [ Continue Reading ]
_The young men saw me and hid themselves_ Out of reverence to my person and dignity, or out of a consciousness of their guilt and folly, which they supposed I might understand either by information from others, or discover by their countenances, and for which they knew I would reprove them, and brin... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the ear heard me, then it blessed me_ Prayed to God to bless me, and pronounced a blessing upon me, because of the integrity, justice, and wisdom which were observed in all my discourses and actions, and of the satisfaction which I gave to all; as well as on account of the relief which I affor... [ Continue Reading ]
_The blessing of him that was ready to perish_ Who was in danger of losing his life or estate, by the malice and tyranny of wicked men; _came upon me_ Both he, and others for his sake, blessed me, and begged that God would bless me. _I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy_ For her great and unex... [ Continue Reading ]
_I put on righteousness, and it clothed me_ As a garment covers the whole body, and is worn continually all the day long, so I was constantly just in the whole course of my administrations, public and private; and I never put off this clothing, out of partiality to myself, or respect to the persons... [ Continue Reading ]
_I was eyes to the blind_ That is, instead of eyes, to instruct, direct, and assist such, as through ignorance or weakness were apt to mistake, and to be seduced or cheated by the craft and artifices of evil- minded men. _And feet was I to the lame_ That is, ready to help him who was unable to help... [ Continue Reading ]
_I brake the jaws of the wicked_ Hebrew, מתלעות, _methallegnoth, dentes molares vel maxillas cum dentibus, the grinders_, or _the jawbones with the teeth_, the sharpest and strongest teeth in the jaw; that is, the power and violence wherewith they used to oppress others. It is a metaphor taken from... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then I said_ That is, I persuaded my self, being thus strongly fortified with the consciousness of my own universal integrity, and with the singular favour of God and of all men; _I shalt die in my nest_ Not a violent or untimely, but a natural, peaceable, and seasonable death, sweetly expiring in... [ Continue Reading ]
_My root was spread out by the waters_ I was like a tree, whose root, spreading out itself by the waters, receives continual moisture and nourishment from the earth, so that it is in no danger of withering; and, being deeply fixed in the ground, is kept firm, so that it is in no danger of being over... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto me men gave ear_ When I spake all men gave me the greatest attention, and my word was a law to them; _and waited and kept silence_, &c. Expecting till I spake, and silently listening to my counsel, which they were confident would be wise, and just, and good, and preferring it to their own judg... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I laughed on them_ That is, carried myself familiarly and pleasantly with them; _they believed it not_ It was so acceptable to them to see me well pleased with them, and cheerful among them, that they could scarcely believe their eyes and ears which testified that it was so. _And the light of my... [ Continue Reading ]
_I chose out their way_ They sought to me for advice in all doubtful and difficult cases, and I directed them what methods they should take; _and sat chief_ As a prince or judge, while they stood waiting for my counsel: Hebrew, ראשׁ, _rosh_, as their _head_, or _ruler_, and my word was as a law, or... [ Continue Reading ]