Job 12

Chap. XII. Ver. 1—25. Job again defends himself against his opposers.—He commences with a severe sarcasm, admired and quoted in all ages: ‘Doubtless ye are the people’—the only persons of intelligence!—‘‘and wisdom shall die with you. But (adds he) I have a heart as well as you: I fall not lower (in the scale of intellect) than you.” Your remarks are common-place; your arguments are no better than ridicule and banter. Alas! I who once shone with so much splendour in my prosperity, am now despised as an expiring lamp, or taper.’ As to the doctrine of providence, that temporal blessings are not appropriated to the righteous, is evident from the prosperity of the wicked. Even the tents of banditti are enriched from the spoil of good men; and providence succeeds their villanous designs, though he will bring them into judgment for them.

The beasts of the field and birds of the air are also subjects of the divine providence; his ‘‘mercies are over all his works,” and “in his hand is the soul of every living creature.” Job then adverts to their affectation of superior wisdom, and as all the Sark Saeco MR We wise, how wise must He be who is eternal? If they were powerful, how orney [mighty] must He be who is almighty? “‘The deceiver and the deceived” are equally in his power: ‘He poureth contempt on princes, and looseth the girdle of the strong.” The concluding verse, which wants illustration, is thus beautifully rendered in Scott’s poetical version: “In a vast wild their dismal way they feel Perplex’d, distress’d, from doubt to doubt they reel; Bewilder’d by an energy divine, Like men who stagger with the fumes of wine.”

Notes on the verses

Chap. XII. Ver. 3. I have understanding, &c.—I fall not lower than you: ne e. either in sense or knowledge;) yea, with whom are not such (things) as

Ver. 4. Of his neighbour.—Rather, “of his friend.” The next clause is supposed to be a reproach cast on Job analogous to that cast upon our Lord— He calleth upon God, let him answer him:” but we are rather disposed to render it, ‘‘He (that) calleth upon God, he (God) will answer him:’’ implying that if Job was a good man, his prayer would be answered by deliverance: and from his receiving no deliverance, it was inferred that he was a hypocrite.

Ver. 5. He that is ready to slip, &c.—This difficult verse is thus rendered by Scott (the poet,) and Dr. Boothroyd. “Contempt is prepared for calamity, In the thoughts of him who is at ease, For those who slip with their feet.” Yet we are much inclined, however, to the old translation, and think it might be rendered, **As a lamp stripped (of flame,) and just expiring, so is a man sliding into poverty,” i.e. all his former splendour is forgotten and despised. So p. Halt..

Ver. 18, He looseth the bond.—That is, he destroys their royal authority, and instead of a royal belt, binds them with a common girdle. See Scott.

Ver. 24. Wilderness.—| Bethohoo, ‘in chaos,” i.e. in a state of utter chaotic state of the earth at the creation. ]—Bagster, nes fusion; it is the same word which is employed in Gen. to describe the cha-