Job 26

Chap. XXVI. Ver. 1—14. Job’s concluding speech, in reply to his friends.—“In reply to Bildad, Job demonstrates himself to be no less expert at wielding the weapons of satire and ridicule, than those of reason and argument; and, reverting to a more serious tone, he displays the infinite power and wisdom of God, more copiously and more poetically than the former speaker.” (Bishop Lowth.) And “whereas Bildad had spoken only of God’s kingdom in heaven, Job adds the counterpart, system. His design in all this was, not to make ostentation of his own superior eloquence. He aimed to remove the impressions made by the speeches of his opponents. He shows them that he firmly believed in the all-wise and almighty Maker and Governor of the world; and had too great and venerating ideas of his adorable perfections to be capable of being an Atheist, as Eliphaz had cruelly painted him, ((Job 22:12-20).) or of entering into a contest with his Creator. (Scott, the poet.)” This chapter, though in several parts obscure, is full of the sublime and beautiful. It ransacks (as it were) the universe, for — to portray the majesty of the Great Supreme. It descends to the lowest hell, and stirs up the mighty dead—the “giants of the olden time—the heroes and ‘men of renown’ before the deluge, who filled the earth with violence, and were swept down by the mighty tempest into the vast abyss: but there they are not concealed. Hell is naked and uncovered to the eye of the Omniscient. His knowledge is “deeper than hell,” what can we know of it? It is likewise “high as heaven,” ((Job 11:8).) and the poet leads us there also, to “set bounds,” which, agreeable to his promise ((Genesis 9:15).) shall not be passed till the time that day and night shall be interchanged no more. The door of his throne with clouds, and “the pillars of heaven tremble at his reproof.” Storm, and the heavens are gilded by his sun-beams. Many commentators have explained this garnishing the heavens, of their first creation; but the context has led Scott, and other modern expositors, to explain the passage of the return of sunshine after rain, when its beams gild the heavens.—“But lo! these are but the outlines of his ways. They convey ‘a word—a whisper’ of his glory; but its full display, ‘the thunder of his power,’ O, who can comprehend or understand?

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXVI. Ver. 2. How hast thou helped, &c.—[Bildad had produced no argument to refute Job’s doctrine; and therefore Job ironically admires the assistance which Bildad had given to his friends in their extremity, and the instruction he had afforded him in his perplexity.]—Bagster.

Ver. 3. How hast thou plentifully declared, &c.—Rather, “How hast thou abundantly exhibited sound wisdom.” So the word here used is rendered in (Proverbs 2:7).; iii. 21.

Ver. 4. And whose spirit came from thee.—Rather, “What inspiration cometh from thee.” So far, it may be easily perceived, the language is ironical. Job now proceeds to enter on the deep matter of his own oration.

Ver. 5. Dead things, &c.—This verse is very unhappily translated. Boothroyd’s appears to us the best version of it: “The mighty dead, and those who dwell with them, Are in anguish beneath the waters.” By these mighty dead (Rephaim) are generally understood, the giants of the old world, of which we read (Genesis 6:4). But the same term is applied to the mighty dead of later ages, (Isaiah 14:9). (Ezekiel 32:21-23). These are represented as confined in Sheol, Gehenna, or Tartarus, to the punishment of the great day. Compare 2 Peter ii. 4, 5. Jude, ver. 6, 7. (Revelation 20:1-3).