Bible Commentary

His roots are wrapped about the heap, [and] seeth the place of stones. 17. seeth the place of stones ] This translation can hardly mean that in his high growth he looks down upon the stone heap, or bends over it, but rather that he chooses it, fixes himself upon it. Others prefer the sense: … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:17”

He [is] green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden. 16 19. A new figure of a spreading, luxuriant plant, suddenly destroyed, and leaving not a trace of itself behind. before the sun ] This scarcely means openly, in broad day and in the face of the sun, but, under the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:16”

He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. 15. hold it fast ] i. e. hold fast by it. The meaning of course is not that he tries to uphold his house, but that he tries to support himself by holding on … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:15”

Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider’s web. 14. shall be cut off ] Perhaps rather, goeth in sunder, though the meaning is not quite certain. One would have expected a noun here parallel to “spider’s web” in the second clause, but no efforts to find a noun have … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:14”

So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: 13. Application of the simile. When men forget God, and His sustaining grace is withdrawn from them, they sink down suddenly and perish like the luxuriant water-reed. the hypocrite ] This word is difficult to translate, it means rather the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:13”

Whilst it [is] yet in his greenness, [and] not cut down, it withereth before any [other] herb. 12. and not cut down ] lit. and not to be cut down (or, plucked, ch. Job 30:4), that is, in its full luxuriance, not ripe nor ready for cutting, and therefore with no trace of withering or … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:12”

Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? 11. The ancient wisdom itself. This wisdom is plainly not that of the Arabs or Idumeans, but is Egyptian. The rush is most probably the Papyrus, which is said to attain a growth twice the height of a man. The flag is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:11”

Shall not they teach thee, [and] tell thee, and utter words out of their heart? 10. words out of their heart ] Words not the result of hasty and superficial generalizing, but of an experience which the lengthened lives of these men had enabled them to pass through, and the principles learned in which had … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:10”

(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow: ) For we are but of yesterday – That is, we are of short life. We have had but few opportunities of observation compared with those who have gone before us. There can be no doubt that Bildad … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:9”

For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: 8. prepare thyself to the search ] i. e., give heed to the research, or, to that which their fathers have searched out. By referring to a former age, and then to the fathers of that age … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 8:8”