Job 40:1

Moreover the Lord answered Job,.... The Lord having discoursed largely of the works of nature, in order to reconcile the mind of Job to his works of providence, stopped and made a pause for a little

Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Job 40:1-24. He had paused for a reply, but Job was silent. The Lord - Hebrew, Yahweh (H3068).

JOB CHAPTER 40 God’ s reproof of Job, ,2. He humbleth himself, . God again declareth his righteousness, majesty, and the power of his wrath to abase the proud, . A description of behemoth, . Having made a little pause to try what Job could answer to his questions, and Job being it seems astonished with God’ s rebukes, or expecting what God would further say, continued silent.

Job 40:1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,Ver. 1. Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said] Hic verisimile est aliquantisper Deum tacuisse, saith Mercer. Here it is likely that God held his peace awhile, and seeing that Job replied not, he added the following words, the more fully to convince and affect him. There is somewhat to do to reduce a sinner from the error of his way; yea, though he be in part regenerate, the flesh will play its part against the spirit. This must be considered, and all gentleness used to those that offend of infirmity, after God’ s example here.

CHAPTER XL Job humbles himself before the Lord, 1-5. And God again challenges him by a display of his power and judgments, 6-14. A description of behemoth, 15-24. NOTES ON CHAP. XL Verse 1. Moreover the Lord answered] That is, the Lord continued his discourse with Job. Answered does not refer to any thing said by Job, or any question asked. I think it very likely that this whole piece, from the beginning of this first verse to the end of the fourteenth, was originally the ending of the poem. Mr. Heath has noticed this, and I shall lay his words before the reader: "The former part of this chapter is evidently the conclusion of the poem; the latter part whereof seems to be in great disorder; whether it has happened from the carelessness of the transcriber, or, which appears most probable, from the skins of parchment composing the roll having by some accident changed their places. It is plain from the seventh verse of the forty-second chapter Job 42:7 that Jehovah is the last speaker in the poem. If, then, immediately after the end of the thirty-ninth chapter, we subjoin the fifteenth verse of the forty-second chapter, and place the fourteen first verses of the fortieth chapter immediately after the sixth verse of the forty-second chapter, and by that means make them the conclusion of the poem, all will be right; and this seventh verse of the forty-second chapter will be in its natural order. The action will be complete by the judgment of the Almighty; and the catastrophe of the poem will be grand and solemn." To these reasons of Mr. Heath, Dr. Kennicott has added others, which the reader may find at the end of the chapter. Job 40:24 Without taking any farther notice of the transposition in this place, I will continue the notes in the present order of the verses.

Chap. Job 40:1-5. Effect of the Divine Speech on Job As if the purpose of the preceding survey of Creation might be lost in the brilliancy of the individual parts of it, the Divine Speaker gathers up its general effect and brings it to bear on Job directly, demanding whether he will persevere in his contention with Jehovah;—will the reprover contend with the Almighty? Job 40:1-2. Job is abased by the glory of God which He has made to pass before him, and brought to silence—I am too mean, what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth; Job 40:3-5.

Moreover, the Lord answered Job - The word “answered” is used here as it is often in the Scriptures, not to denote a reply to what had been immediately said, but to take up or continue an argument.