XL. (2) SHALL HE THAT CONTENDETH WITH THE ALMIGHTY INSTRUCT HIM? — Rather, _Can he that reproveth_ (_e. g.,_ Job) _contend with the Almighty?_ or, _Can the contending with the Almighty instruct Him?_ “Art thou prepared still to dispute and contend with God? or, if thou dost, is there any hope that t... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU ALSO DISANNUL MY JUDGMENT? — Comp. what Job said in Job 19:6; Job 27:2. God is about to show Job his inability to govern the world and administer judgment among men, so as to rule them morally, from his acknowledged inability to govern the more formidable animals of the brute creation. If... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHEMOTH. — The identification of behemoth has always been a great difficulty with commentators. The word in Hebrew is really the natural plural of behçmâh, which means _domestic cattle;_ and this fact would suggest the idea that more than one animal may be meant in the description (Job 40:15), whic... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE NAVEL. — Rather, _in the sinews, or muscles. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_17_)_ THE SINEWS OF HIS STONES. — Rather, _of his thighs. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_18_)_ STRONG PIECES. — Or, perhaps, _tubes._ His limbs are like bars of iron.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS THE CHIEF OF THE WAYS OF GOD. — This is surely more applicable to the elephant than the hippopotamus, considering the great intelligence and usefulness of the elephant. The last clause is very obscure. Some render, “He only that made him can bring his sword near unto him;” or, “He that made hi... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LIETH UNDER THE SHADY TREES. — If this description applies to any _one_ animal, it seems on the whole more appropriate to the elephant than the hippopotamus. No doubt the judgment of critics has been biased by their pre-conceived notions about the circumstances under which they suppose the Book o... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, HE DRINKETH UP A RIVER. — This verse is better rendered, _Behold, if a river overflow_ (or, _is violent_)_, he trembleth not_ (or, _hasteneth not_)_; he is confident, though Jordan swell up to his mouth. _... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS NOSE PIERCETH THROUGH SNARES. — Some render, “Shall any take him with snares? while he is looking, shall any pierce through his nose?” The sense seems to be rather, _Let one take him by his eyes: i.e.,_ by allurements placed before him, as elephants are taken. _By means of snares one may pierce... [ Continue Reading ]