Job 20:1

XX. (1) THEN ANSWERED ZOPHAR. — Zophar retorts with yet greater vehemence than before, and assumes a more ornate and elaborate style, still reiterating the former burden of the speedy doom of the wicked man.... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:2

THEREFORE. — That is, because of the eagerness that is in him. His spirit is stirred in him, and impels him to reply.... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:3

I HAVE HEARD THE CHECK OF MY REPROACH. — Rather, _I have heard,_ or, _I hear the reproof of my shame:_ that is, a reproof that puts me to shame, or is intended to do so. THE SPIRIT OF MY UNDERSTANDING CAUSETH ME TO ANSWER. — Or, more literally, _Out of my understanding my spirit answereth me,_ or _... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:5

THE TRIUMPHING OF THE WICKED IS SHORT. — He affirms that the destruction of the wicked is not only certain, but speedy. (Comp. Psalms 103:16 and Job 7:8; Job 7:10.)... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:10

HIS CHILDREN SHALL SEEK TO PLEASE THE POOR. — That is, shall seek their favour by making good what had been taken from them, or otherwise; or it may be rendered, _the poor shall oppress his children. _... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:11

HIS BONES ARE FULL OF THE SIN OF HIS YOUTH. — Rather, _of his youth,_ or _youthful vigour,_ as in Job 33:25 : “He shall return to the days of his youth,” and Psalms 89:46 : “The days of his youth hast thou shortened.” “Though he is in the full vigour of life, yet it shall lie down with him in the du... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:12

THOUGH WICKEDNESS BE SWEET IN HIS MOUTH. — He draws a picture of the wicked man after the pattern of a gourmand or glutton, which, if it were intended to apply to Job, was a fresh instance of heartless cruelty, as well as of an entire want of discernment of character, and of unfitness for the office... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:17

THE BROOKS OF HONEY AND BUTTER. — He uses language which might lead one to suppose he was familiar with the promise of Canaan, except that, as the phrase is not precisely identical it may perhaps rather show a community of proverbial language, and that the _land flowing with milk and honey_ may have... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:18

THAT WHICH HE LABOURED FOR SHALL HE RESTORE... — The latter part of this verse is probably right; but it may be, “According to the substance that he hath gotten he shall not rejoice.”... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:19

BECAUSE HE HATH OPPRESSED AND FORSAKEN... — For these insinuations there was not a vestige of ground, but Job formally rebuts them in Job 31... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:20

QUIETNESS IN HIS BELLY. — “Because he knew no quietness within him, (Comp. Isaiah 57:20.) he shall not save ought of that which he desireth.”... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:21

THERE SHALL NONE OF HIS MEAT BE LEFT. — Rather, _There was nothing left that he devoured not, therefore his prosperity shall not endure. _... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:22

THE HAND OF every one that is in misery shall come upon him: _i.e.,_ in retaliation, or possibly, but less probably, every blow of a miserable man, which can render a man miserable, shall come upon him.... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:24

HE SHALL FLEE FROM THE IRON WEAPON, AND. — That is, if he escaped one mischance, another should overtake him.... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:25

YEA, TERRORS OVERTAKE HIM. — Even when he has escaped a second and a third calamity, terrors shall still be upon him. This was all perfectly true in a sense, yea, even a truism, but it was utterly false in its application to Job himself.... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:26

ALL DARKNESS SHALL BE HID IN HIS SECRET PLACES. — Rather, _All darkness, every kind of disaster, is laid up for his secret treasures._ A FIRE NOT BLOWN. — By human hands, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]

Job 20:27

THE HEAVEN SHALL REVEAL HIS INIQUITY. — All nature shall combine to bring about his ruin, which is, in fact, decreed by God. We here take leave of Zophar, who does not reply again; he has exhausted himself, notwithstanding Job 20:2.... [ Continue Reading ]

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