CHAPTER II _The sons of God once more present themselves before him; and_ _Satan comes also, accusing Job as a person whose steadfastness_ _would be soon shaken, provided his body were to be subjected_ _to sore afflictions_, 1-5. _He receives permission to afflict Job, and smites him with sore_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:3. _TO DESTROY HIM WITHOUT CAUSE._] Thou wishedst me to permit thee to destroy a man whose sins have not called for so heavy a judgment. This seems to be the meaning of this saying. The original word, לבלעו _leballeo_, signifies to _swallow down_ or _devour_; and this word St. Peter had... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:4. _SKIN FOR SKIN_] That is, A man will part with all he has in the world to save his life; and he will part with all by piecemeal, till he has nothing left on earth, and even be thankful, provided his life be spared. Thou hast only destroyed his _property_; thou hast left him his _life_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:5. _HE WILL CURSE THEE TO THY FACE._] Literally, _If he will_ _not bless thee to thy face_ or _appearances_. His _piety_ to _thee_ will be always regulated by thy _bounty_ to _him_. Job 1:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:6. _BUT SAVE HIS LIFE._] His _body_ thou shalt have permission to afflict, but against his _life_ thou shalt have no power; therefore take care of his life. The original, נפשו שמר _naphsho_ _shemor_, may be translated, _keep his soul_; but the word also signifies _life_; yet in the hands... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:7. _SORE BOILS_] בשחין רע _bischin ra_, "with an evil inflammation." What this diabolical disorder was, interpreters are not agreed. Some think it was the _leprosy_, and this is the reason why he dwelt by himself, and had his habitation in an unclean place, _without the city_, (Septuagin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:9. _THEN SAID HIS WIFE_] To this verse the _Septuagint_ adds the following words: "Much time having elapsed, his wife said unto him, How long dost thou stand steadfast, saying, 'Behold, I wait yet a little longer looking for the hope of my Salvation?' Behold thy memorial is already blot... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:10. _THOU SPEAKEST AS ONE OF THE FOOLISH_] Thou speakest like an infidel; like one who has no knowledge of God, of religion, or of a future state. The Targum, who calls this woman _Dinah_, translates thus: "Thou speakest like one of those women who have wrought folly in the house of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:11. _JOB'S THREE FRIENDS_] The first was _Eliphaz the_ _Temanite_; or, as the _Septuagint_ has it, Ελιφαζ ὁ Θαιμανων βασιλευς, _Eliphaz the king on the Thaimanites_. Eliphaz was one of the sons of Esau; and Teman, of Eliphaz, Genesis 36:10-1. Teman was a city of Edom, Jeremiah 49:7; Eze... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:12. _THEY RENT EVERY ONE HIS MANTLE_] I have already had frequent occasions to point out and illustrate, by quotations from the ancients, the actions that were used in order to express profound grief; such as wrapping themselves in sackcloth, covering the face, strewing dust or ashes upo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Job 2:13. _THEY SAT DOWN WITH HIM UPON THE GROUND SEVEN DAYS_] They were astonished at the unprecedented change which had taken place in the circumstances of this most eminent man; they could not reconcile his present situation with any thing they had met with in the history of Divine provide... [ Continue Reading ]