Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 23:12

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

12. more than my necessary food ] Lit. more than (or, above) my own law; i. e. perhaps, more than the law of my own mind or inclination. The words recall the exhortation of Eliphaz, ch. Job 22:22. Any reference to food seems out of place.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Neither have I gone back – I have not put away or rejected.

The commandment of his lips – That which he has spoken, or which has proceeded out of his mouth.

I have esteemed – Margin, hid, or, laid up. The Hebrew is, I have hid, as we hide or lay up that which is valuable. It is a word often applied to laying up treasures, or concealing them so that they would be safe.

More than my necessary food – Margin, or, appointed portion. Dr. Good renders it, In my bosom have I laid up the words of his mouth. So Noyes, The words of his mouth I have treasured up in my bosom. So Wemyss; and so it is rendered in the Vulgate, and by the Septuagint. The variety in the translation has arisen from the difference of reading in regard to the Hebrew word mechoqy. Instead of this meaning more than my portion or allowance, the Septuagint and Vulgate appear to have read bechoqy – in my bosom. But there is no authority for the change, and there seems to be no reason for it. The word choq, means something decreed, designated, appointed; then an appointed portion, as of labor, Exo 5:14; then of food – an allowance of food, Pro 30:8; then a limit, bound, law, statute, etc. It seems to me that the word here means purpose, intention, rule, or design, and that the idea is that he had regarded the commands of God more than his own purposes. He had been willing to sacrifice his own designs to the will of God, and had thus shown his preference for God and his law. This sense seems to be the most simple of any, and it is surprising that it has not occurred to any expositors. So the same word is used in Job 23:14. If this be the meaning, it expresses a true sentiment of piety in all ages. He who is truly religious is willing to sacrifice and abandon his own plans at the command of God. Job says that he was conscious of having done this, and he thus had a firm conviction that he was a pious man.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. The commandment of his lips] The written law that proceeded from his own mouth.

I have esteemed the words of his mouth] Mr. Good has given a better version of the original: In my bosom have I stored up the words of his mouth. The Asiatics carry every thing precious or valuable in their bosom, their handkerchiefs, jewels, purses, &c. Job, therefore, intimates that the words of God’s mouth were to him a most precious treasure.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Neither have I gone back, i.e. not turned aside to any crooked or sinful path or course of life, human infirmity excepted.

I have esteemed, Heb. I have hid, or laid it up, as men do their best treasures, or what they most love and value. The phrase notes a high estimation of it, a hearty affection to it, and a diligent care to preserve it.

My necessary food, or my appointed food, or my daily portion, i.e. that food or provision which is necessary for the support of my life, as this word is used, Gen 47:22; Pro 30:8; 31:15, which is more prized and desired than all the riches in the world.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

12. esteemedrather, “laidup,” namely, as a treasure found (Mat 13:44;Psa 119:11); alluding to thewords of Eliphaz (Job 22:22).There was no need to tell me so; I have done so already (Jer15:16).

necessary“Appointedportion” (of food; as in Pr30:8). UMBREIT andMAURER translate, “Morethan my law,” my own will, in antithesis to “thewords of His mouth” (Joh6:38). Probably under the general term, “what is appointedto me” (the same Hebrew is in Job23:14), all that ministers to the appetites of the body andcarnal will is included.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips,…. From any of the commandments his lips had uttered; meaning not the ten commandments given to Israel, which perhaps as yet were not given, or had not come to the knowledge of Job; some speak of the seven commandments, given to the sons of Noah; [See comments on Ge 9:4]. It seems to design any and every commandment that God had given to Noah or Abraham, or any of the patriarchs, before the times of Job, and which he had knowledge of, and which he carefully observed, kept close to, and did not deviate from; but made it the rule of his walk and practice:

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food]; the words of the Lord, the doctrines of grace that came from his mouth, are food for faith; there are in them milk for babes, and meat for strong men; they are savoury, salutary, and wholesome words, by which the people of God are nourished up unto eternal life; and they are esteemed by them more than the food that is necessary and convenient for their bodies; see Pr 30:8; for as the soul is preferable to the body, so the food of the one is preferable to the food of the other, and is sweeter, as the words of God are, to the taste of a believer, than honey, or the honeycomb: or “I have hid or laid up, the words of his mouth” b; he had laid them up in his heart, in order to meditate upon them, and receive comfort and spiritual nourishment from them when he should want it, as men lay up their food in a proper place against the time they want it for their support and refreshment; and Job was more careful to lay up the one than the other; see Ps 119:11; here Job meets with, and has respect unto, the advice of Eliphaz, Job 22:22; and signifies that he had no need to have given him it, he had done this already.

b “abscondi”, Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Bolducius; “recondidi”, Tigurine version, Beza, Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius, Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens so Broughton.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(12) I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.Comp. Joh. 4:32-34. Or, I have treasured up the words, &c., according to the statute prescribed to me, or from my own law: i.e., I made it a principle with myself to treasure up the words of His mouth. The LXX. and the Vulg. have a differing reading, and render in my bosom.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

12. My necessary ( food) Gen 47:22; Pro 30:8. Recent interpreters mostly render it my law, meaning his own natural desires contrasted with God’s law. This law of his sinful nature answers to what the apostle designates as the law in his members warring against the law of his mind. Rom 7:23. Job has subordinated his own to the divine will.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

DISCOURSE: 475
JOBS LOVE TO THE WORD OF GOD

Job 23:12. I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

WHENCE arose this remarkable assertion? Was it a spontaneous and uncalled-for effusion of self-applause? or was it drawn forth by the circumstances in which this holy man was placed? If we look back to the preceding chapter, we find that Eliphaz had given him this counsel: Acquaint now thyself with God, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thy heart [Note: Job 22:21-22.]. In answer to this, Job replies, O that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! . Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.My foot hath held his steps; his way have I kept, and not declined: neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food [Note: ver. 3, 812.].

I will call your attention to these latter words,

I.

As an honour to Job

What sacred records Job possessed, I know not: but certainly he had some, either written or traditionary: and to these he had respect, esteeming them more than his necessary food.
His desire after them was more ardent
[A man may feel no great appetite for dainties; but for his necessary food he cannot but feel a most intense desire. Hunger and thirst will in time so oppress a man, that he will gladly part with all that he possesses in the world to satisfy their pressing demands. In the famine that was in Egypt, the whole people of the country sold their lands, yea, their very bodies, to Pharaoh, for a supply of necessary food [Note: Gen 47:19.]. Yea, on some occasions, women have eaten their own children, to satisfy the calls of nature. Yet was Jobs desire after the words of God more urgent than any pressure of the natural appetite for bodily food.]

His delight in them was more exquisite
[The sacred records are represented to us as a feast of fat things, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined [Note: Isa 25:6.]. Yet this, methinks, conveys but a very inadequate idea of the delight which the promises of God afford to a weary heavy-laden soul. Doubtless to one nearly famished with hunger and thirst, the necessary food, how common soever it may be, is exceeding sweet: but not so sweet as were Gods words to Job; so much more exquisite was the satisfaction which they afforded to his soul than any of which his bodily frame was capable.]

His refreshment from them was more abiding
[Elijah, after a hearty meal, went in the strength of his meat forty days and forty nights [Note: 1Ki 19:5-8.]. And Jonathan, after a days extreme fatigue, did but taste a little honey, and his strength was renovated in a very extraordinary degree [Note: 1Sa 14:29-30.]. But the strength which Gods blessed word imparted to Job was visible in every part of his life. Truly it enlightened his eyes, insomuch that his discernment of Gods truth was incomparably clearer than that of any of his friends who came to instruct and comfort him: for God himself says of them, that they had not spoken of him the thing that was right, as his servant Job had [Note: Job 42:7.]. And, as it informed his understanding, so it strengthened him to bear his trials with a degree of confidence and composure never surpassed by mortal man. In immediate connexion with my text, he says, God knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold [Note: Job 23:10.]. And St. James represents him, in this respect, as the most perfect pattern to the Church in all ages: Ye have heard of the patience of Job [Note: Jam 5:11.]. I may add further, his love to the word of God was that to which we must trace the whole of that obedience which he so feelingly describes: My foot hath held his steps; his ways have I kept, and not declined; neither have I gone back from the commandments of his lips: I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food [Note: Job 23:11-12.].]

Let me yet further pursue this subject,

II.

As a reproach to us

How much fuller a revelation of Gods mind do we possess!
[Doubtless Jobs views, both of himself as a sinner, and of Christ as a Saviour, were, in many respects, clear and just [Note: Job 9:20-21; Job 19:25-27.]. But how incomparably richer is that discovery of Gods revealed will, which is transmitted to us in the writings of the Old and New Testament! There is nothing concealed from us, which it would be for our advantage to know. All the eternal counsels of God, as displayed in the covenant of grace, are exhibited to our view, together with all the wonders of redeeming love. How highly, then, should these be estimated by us! If Job felt such regard for the partial revelations vouchsafed to him, what should not we feel towards this complete system of divine truth, which we are privileged to enjoy?]

But how low is the esteem in which it is held by us!

[Not only is our necessary food preferred before it, but every base indulgence: the gratifications of sense which are most sinful, and the acquisition of objects which are most worthless, have a greater preponderance in our minds than either the Law of Moses or the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. Let us only look back, and see how faint have been our desires after divine knowledge, and how feeble our endeavours to obtain it. In truth, every book has been preferred before the sacred volume: and, with almost every one amongst us, the perusal of a novel or a newspaper would be resorted to, at any time, to occupy a leisure hour, rather than Gods blessed word.
To what is our ignorance of heavenly subjects to be ascribed, but to this? And to what else must our disobedience to Gods commandments be traced? We love not Gods word, and therefore we do not study it: we explore not its contents, and therefore we neither know it nor obey it. Though it ought to be our meditation and delight all the day [Note: Psa 1:2. See Jer 15:16.], with many the sacred volume is scarcely ever read at all: and with those who do occasionally take it into their hands, it is read only in a superficial manner, and without that veneration and love which it deserves. I say, then, that Job may well rise up in judgment against us, to condemn us for our grievous neglect of that sacred volume, which even the angels in heaven desire to look into [Note: 1Pe 1:12.].]

Application

Redeem, then, the time which you have lost, for the attainment of divine knowledge
[Were the salvation of your soul out of the question, Gods blessed word deserves more attention than any other book: for there is no other book whose contents are so curious, so instructive, so edifying in every view. But, when the salvation of your soul depends on your obedience to it, what shall I say? Methinks, you should be studying it day and night, in order to obtain all its proffered benefits, and to comply with all its most reasonable demands. In public, when it is opened to you in the ministration of the Gospel, receive it, not as the word of man, but as the word of the living God. And in your secret chamber study it, as it were, upon your knees; and implore of God the teaching of his Holy Spirit, in order that you may be able to comprehend its mysterious contents. In a word, esteem the revelation of your God as Job esteemed it: and then, like Job, shall you have a record on high, that you pleased God, and that you were accepted of him.]

Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)

(12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

What a lovely account doth Job give of himself here, that the word of GOD was so precious to him. Reader! is it not enough to make us blush? Did Job so speak; did Jeremiah so declare, that he found GOD’S words, and did eat them, and they were the very joy and rejoicing of his heart? Did David assert, that the words of GOD’S mouth were sweeter to him than honey, and the honey-comb: and do you and I think less of those precious gracious words of JESUS, which contain salvation? Oh! blessed LORD! make thy word so greatly my delight, that it may be my meditation all the day, and let mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I may be occupied in it! Jer 15:16 ; Psa 19:10 ; Psa 119:72

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

Ver. 12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips ] i.e. Ab ipsissimo Dei verbo, from the very word of God, that sure cynosura, which he that holdeth straitly to may truly say, Lord, if I be deceived, thou and thy word hath deceived me. But of that there is no danger, since the Scripture is the invariable canon or rule of truth, saith Irenaeus, the cubit of the sanctuary, the touchstone of error, the divine beam, and most exact balance, as Austin and Chrysostom style it, K , yea, the very heart and soul of God, as Gregory. And if Job lived before the word was written, yet not before the law of nature and the traditions of the patriarchs; which while they remained uncorrupted, were the commandment also of God’s lips, as having been received from his very mouth; and might far better be called ipsissimum Dei verbum the very word of God itself, than the pope’s pronunciata, which Cardinal Hosius profanely and blasphemously pronounceth to be the very word of God.

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food ] I have preferred Heb. I have hid, or laid up, as men do precious things, as housekeepers do provision for their family them before my bodily food, my daily bread; and we see what pains men take, what shift they make, Ut bene sit ventri, ut lateri, for food and raiment, and other things requisite to the preservation of this present life. Now Job knew that God’s holy word is , as Athanasius calleth it, the soul’s nourishment; and that the promises are pabulum fidei, the food of faith, as another calleth them; that we may better lack bread than that bread of life. Hence he esteemed it more, not only than his dainties or superfluities, but than his substantial food, without which he could not live and subsist; more than his appointed portion (so some render it) set out for him by the Divine providence, which cutteth out to every man his allowance. I would rather be without meat, drink, light, anything, everything, saith one, than that sweet text, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden,” &c. (Selneccer). I would not for all the world, saith another, than that one verse, Joh 17:24 (“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world”), had been left out of the Bible (Mr Baxter’s Saints’ Everlasting Rest, p. 24). And again, There is more worth (saith the same author) in those four chapters, Joh 14:1-31 ; Joh 15:1-27 ; Joh 16:1-33 ; Joh 17:1-26 , than in all the books in the world besides. Luther said, He would not live in Paradise without the Word; as with the Word it were no hard matter to live even in hell itself (Tom. 4, Oper. Lat. p. 424). Of old they were wont to say, It were better for the Church that the sun should not shine than that Chrysostom should not preach to the people. The Jews in this day will not omit prayers for their food or labour. They divide the day, even the working day, in three parts, the first ad Tephilla, for prayer; the second ad Torn, for the reading of God’s law; and the third ad Malacca, for the works of their calling (Weemsc.). And when they have read one section they begin another, lest they should seem to be weary of their task. Whereas if we read but a chapter (not a quarter so long as one of their sections or paragraphs), Oh what a weariness is it! neither begin we till we have looked over the leaf to see how long it is; so soon sated are we with this heavenly manna.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

my necessary food. Hebrew my own law = my appointed portion: i.e. my ordinary allowance; “law” being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Genus), App-6, for what is allowed by it. Compare Gen 47:22. Pro 30:8.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Neither: Joh 6:66-69, Joh 8:31, Act 14:22, Heb 10:38, Heb 10:39, 1Jo 2:19

I have esteemed: Heb. hid, or, laid up, Job 22:22, Psa 19:9, Psa 19:10, Psa 119:11, Psa 119:103, Psa 119:127, Jer 15:16, Joh 4:32, Joh 4:34, 1Pe 2:2

necessary food: or, appointed portion, Luk 12:42, Luk 12:46

Reciprocal: Gen 24:33 – General 1Ki 9:4 – And if thou 1Ki 13:9 – For Ezr 10:6 – he did eat Neh 8:12 – because Job 1:1 – perfect Job 1:8 – upright Job 4:6 – the uprightness Job 6:10 – have not concealed Job 24:13 – nor abide Job 33:9 – clean Psa 1:2 – But his Psa 19:7 – law Psa 37:23 – steps Psa 40:8 – I delight Psa 44:18 – have Psa 94:15 – and all Psa 119:14 – rejoiced Psa 119:20 – at all times Psa 119:47 – which Psa 119:143 – yet thy Pro 2:1 – hide Pro 2:10 – General Pro 10:21 – feed Isa 38:3 – I have Eze 3:3 – it was Mat 6:11 – General Luk 8:15 – keep Joh 15:7 – my Act 17:11 – they received Rom 7:22 – I delight Col 3:16 – dwell Rev 10:9 – Take

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have {g} esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

(g) His word is more precious to me than the meat with which the body is sustained.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes