Job 15:2

_SHOULD A WISE MAN UTTER VAIN KNOWLEDGE, AND FILL HIS BELLY WITH THE EAST WIND?_ A wise man - which Job claims to be. VAIN KNOWLEDGE - Hebrew, windy knowledge-literally, 'of wind' (Job 8:2), In Ecclesiastes 1:14 х_ Rª`UWT_ (H7469) _ RUWACH_ (H7307)], Hebrew, to catch wind, expresses to strive for what is vain. EAST WIND - stronger than the previous "wind." For in that region the east wind is the most destructive of winds (Isaiah 27:8). Thus here-empty violence. BELLY - the inward parts, the breast ...

1-16 Eliphaz begins a second attack upon Job, instead of being softened by his complaints. He unjustly charges Job with casting off the fear of God, and all regard to him, and restraining prayer. See in what religion is summed up, fearing God, and praying to him; the former the most needful principle, the latter the most needful practice. Eliphaz charges Job with self-conceit. He charges him with contempt of the counsels and comforts given him by his friends. We are apt to think that which we ourselves say is important, when others, with reason, think little of it. He charges him with opposition to God. Eliphaz ought not to have put harsh constructions upon the words of one well known for piety, and now in temptation. It is plain that these disputants were deeply convinced of the doctrine of original sin, and the total depravity of human nature. Shall we not admire the patience of God i...

Verse Job 15:2. _SHOULD A WISE MAN UTTER VAIN KNOWLEDGE_] Or rather, _Should a wise man utter the science of wind_? A science without solidity or certainty. _AND FILL HIS BELLY WITH THE EAST WIND?_] בטן _beten_, which we translate _belly_, is used to signify any part of the cavity of the body, whether the region of the _thorax_ or _abdomen_; here it evidently refers to the _lungs_, and may include the _cheeks_ and _fauces_. The _east wind_, קדים kadim, is a very _stormy wind_ in the Levant, or the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, supposed to be the same with that called by the Greeks ευροκλυδων, _euroclydon_, the _east storm_, mentioned Acts 27:14. Eliphaz, by these words, seems to intimate that Job's speech was a perfec

SHOULD A WISE MAN - Referring to Job, and to his claims to be esteemed wise; see Job 12:3; Job 13:2, Job 13:6. The argument of Eliphaz here is, that the sentiments which Job had advanced were a sufficient refutation of his pretensions to wisdom. A wise man would not be guilty of “mere talk,” or of using language that conveyed no ideas. UTTER - literally, answer. It refers to the replies which Job had made to the arguments of his friends. VAIN KNOWLEDGE - Margin, “Knowledge of wind.” So the Hebrew; see Job 6:26;...

EXPOSITION The second colloquy between Job and his friends is, like the first (ch. 3-14.), one in which all of them take part, and the same order of speakers is maintained. Job answers each speaker in turn; Eliphaz at some length (Job 16:1; Job 17:1.), the other two more briefly. The present chapter contains the second speech of Eliphaz. Compared with the first, it is harsh and violent in tone, assuming Job's guilt, and reproaching him fiercely and rudely. It naturally divides into three portions: (1) a direct reproof of Job for presumption and impiety (verses 1-6); (2) a sarcastic reflection on him for conceit and arrogance (verses 7-16); (3) an exposition of God's ways with man, based upon the experience of ancient sages (verses 17-3

SHOULD A WISE MAN UTTER VAIN KNOWLEDGE,.... As Job had been thought to be, or as he himself thought he was, which he might say sarcastically; or as he really was, not worldly wise, nor merely wise in things natural, but in things divine; being one that had the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, and wisdom itself; believed in Christ, and walked wisely and circumspectly before men; now it is not becoming such a man to utter vain knowledge, or such knowledge as is like the wind, or, as the Targum, windy knowledge; empty, not solid, nor satisfying, but swells and puffs up, and is knowledge falsely so called; but it does not appear that Job did utter such vain and fruitless things as deserved to be compared to the wind: AND FILL HIS BELLY WITH THE EAST WIND; which is noisy and blusterous, rapid and forcible, bearing all before it, and very infectious in hot countries; and such no...

THE SECOND SERIES OF CONTROVERSIES CHAPTER 15 Eliphaz's Second Address _ 1. Tells Job that he is self-condemned (Job 15:1)_ 2. Charges him with pride (Job 15:7) 3. The wicked and their lot (Job 15:17) Job 15:1. His second address is not as lofty as his first. Job's language has evidently annoyed him very much. He characterizes his words as vain, unprofitable, which can do no good. He charges him with having cast off fear and having become one who restrained devotion before God. He tells Job that what he has spoken only confirms their views of him, that he is a wicked man and suffers justly for his sins. Thine own m

JOB 15:2 is a polemic against Job's arrogance and pretence of wisdom. Job's words are empty and violent (Job 15:2 f.). He does away with all religion (Job 15:4) and breaks the reverential stillness, which should be observed in the presence of God. It is his wickedness that inspires his words and gives to his tongue the craft of the serpent (Genesis 31) (Job 15:5). So he stands self-condemned (Job 15:6). Is he the primæ val man of whom the myths tell, who sat in the council of God? (Job 15:7 f.). This mythical figure is

SHOULD... ? Figure of speech _Erotesis._ App-6. VAIN. empty. i.e. windy science. WIND. Hebrew. _ruach._ App-9....

Eliphaz rebukes Job's contemptuous treatment of the opinions of his friends, and his irreverence towards God First, starting with Job's claim to a wisdom beyond that of his friends (ch. Job 12:3; Job 12:7 _seq_., Job 13:2), Eliphaz asks if it be in the manner of a wise man to use loud and empty words as arguments (Job 15:2). But in truth Job was more than unwise, he was impious. His demeanour and sentiments did away with all devoutness and religion. Such language as he uttered could be inspired only by deep evil in his heart; and was proof enough without anything more of his wickedness (Job 15:4