Job 26

Job having taxed bildad, that he had more terrified then comforted him, v.1, etc. He confesseth and describeth the works of Gods incomprehensible Majesty, whereof Bildad had begun to speak, 5. And sheweth that we are able to relate but very little of the same, 14.

1. But Job answered and said;

2. How hast thou helped, [thou, Bildad namely] him [i.e. me, and so in the sequel] that is with out power? [viz. Not only by reason of his diseases and bodily pains; but also in regard of the perplexity and trouble of his mind.] (and) saved the arm that is without strength? [These questions do strongly deny; as if he had said to Bildad; Thou hast not help me, nor saved me at all; for instead of comforting me with Gods loving kindness, thou hast endeavoured rather to affright me with his dreadful Majesty.]

3. How hast thou advised him that hath no wisdom, [viz. That he might be wiser in his understanding, more prudent in speaking, more patient in suffering, more settled in hoping. He speaketh contemptibly of himself, because his friends held him but for a silly advised babler. See above 11.2.3.] and made the matter known at full [Heb. In multitude] as it is? [of the signification of the Hebrew word, rendered matter, or cause here, see above 5.on v.12. Job doth contemn and explode here, what Bildad had propounded, not in regard of the doctrine it self, but because of the wrongful application thereof.]

4. Unto whom hast thou related those words? [viz. In the former chapter, as if he would have said, are not these things known to me as well as to thy self? Comp. Above 12.3,4. And 13.2.] and whose spirit is gone out from thee? [i.e. by whose spirit hast thou spoken this? It is no extraordinary inspiration of Gods spirit; for thou hast propounded nothing but common things, which are known to every one: and therefore it is by the instigation of thy own spirit, which through want of understanding maketh wrongful applications and conclusions. See bel.32.8]

5. The [after that Job had rejected Bildads interpellation; he enlargeth himself in the description of the perfection of Gods works and attributes, whereof Bildad had begun to speak to shew, that the things related by him, were sufficiently known to himself; and consequently that he might have spread his Labour, as unnecessary and unseasonable, and nothing to the matter of their debate.] dead [understand the dead men or persons. So the word rephaim is often taken in Scripture. See Psalms 88:11. Proverbs 2:18. and 9.18. Isaiah 14:9. and 26.14. Others understand the dead, or inanimate things, which are formed and shaped by God within the earth and waters, as gold, silver, precious stones, copper, iron, steel, &c. Some understand the Giants, the Hebrew word signifying them also, Deut.2.20.and 3.13.] shall be born [i.e. regenerated, born again, or made alive again, through the Resurrection, which is likewise called a Regeneration, Matthew 19:28. The Hebrew word is taken, for to be born, Psalms 51:7. Pro.8.24,25.] from under the waters [i.e. out of the earth, which is the innermost or lowest element.] and their inhabitants, [of the waters namely, that is to say, the dead corps, or bodies, lying in the Sea, or other waters. See Revel.20.13. wherefore some take the particle and, for that is.]

6. Hell [Understand all manner of deep, hidden and secret places, and hell it self also, which the eye of man cannot reach unto: thus the word Sheol is taken, Psalms 139:8. See likewise Genesis 37.on v.35.] is naked before him: [i.e. before God, whose providence penetrateth, discerneth and governeth all things. See Psalms 139:8,11. Pro.15.11. Heb.4.13.] and there is no cover for destruction. [understand the places wherein all things are destroyed and perish, and among those the place of the demned also. Comp. Pro.15.11. and 17.20.]

7. He [God namely] spreadeth abroad the North, [i.e. the heaven, as a part for the whole, in regard that Job and his friends inhabited under the North-part, or climate, the circumference of heaven being equally divided by the Equinoctial into the North and South-parts.] over the waste: [or, voidness. Understand the whole space that is between heaven and earth. He hangeth the earth on nothing. [insomuch that the earth hath no other foundation or support, but Gods Almighty Power. See Psalm 24.on verse 2. And 104.5. and 136.6.]

8. He bindeth the Waters in his clouds: [God maketh the clouds to rise upwards out of the damps and vapours of the earth, and by his providence to gather and throng together in the air, so as they seem to be tied up together in bladders, bags, or Sacks. Comp. Genesis 2:6. and 2 Samuel 22:12. and the annotation] nevertheless the cloud rendeth not [i.e. dissolveth not bursteth not, failing down at once upon the earth, notwithstanding it consisteth altogether of water, which naturally runneth or falleth downwards, but droppeth and destilleth onely here and there when and according as it pleaseth the LORD.] underneath it. [i.e. in the nethermost part of the Waters, that are shut up in the clouds as in a sack.]

9. He holdeth fast the plain, [or, flatness] of his throne [by the plain, understand the middle region of the air. This God made fast and firm to serve him as a work or store-house from whence he imparteth his benefits unto us; and which he often hangeth or overspreadeth with the clouds. By his throne are understood the heavens, or heaven of heavens. See Gen.2.in the annot.on v.1.] he spreadeth his cloud over it.

10. He hath designed a set pale over the waters round about, [i.e. set bounds round about, which the waters of the Sea shall not be able to pass over for to drown or overflow and cover the dry land. See the Scripture places following, Genesis 1:9. Job 38:18. Psalms 33:7. etc 104.9. Prov.8.29. Jer.5.22.] unto the finishing of the light with the darkness. [i.e. so long as the world shall stand or endure.]

11. The pillars of heaven tremble, [Compare 2 Samuel 22:8. Psalms 18:8. understand by the pillars of heavens, the powers thereof, Luke 21:26. which are the nature, properties and operations thereof. Which seem to be shaken and put out of their places, not onely in time of extraordinary lightenings; fireflashes and thunderings, winds, showers, storms and tempests, &c. But also by means of many signs and apparitions in or about the Sun, Moon, Stars, Comets and Meteors in the heaven, &c.] and frighted before his rebuke. [Heb. Are amazed.]

12. Through his power he cleaveth the Sea: [viz. When he doth raise foul weather, storms, and temptests over the Sea, which make the waves and billows to rise in such a manner, that the sea seemeth to split, and be full of clefts betwixt the surges. Psalms 107:25.26.] and through his understanding he smiteth their exalting. [i.e. beateth and abateth their tempestuous and haughty Waves. Psalms 104:7. and 107.29. Heb. Rahab, which some retain in the text, understanding thereby Egypt, so called by reason of the haughtiness and insolence of the Egyptians. Psalms 89:11. Isaiah 51:9.]

13. Through his spirit it he adorned the heavens: [Oth. The heaven hath beauty.] his hand hath created the long-crawling (or stirring) serpent. [Hereby may be understood a certain great serpent either in the Sea, or on the land, and is described both here, and Isaiah 27:1. by an Epithete, signifying, fugitive, flying or fleeting, shooting away. Some would have it understood of the heavenly sign or constellation called the Serpent.]

14. Behold, these [things namely which hitherto we have related of Gods works and properties] are (but) the uttermost ends of his ways: [i.e. but small parcels and little shreads as it were, of the very great and most diffused information, which the ordinary operations of his wonderful power and providence in governing the world, affordeth.] and how small a piece of the matter have were heard from him? [i.e. how little is that which we do know or comprehend of the works of God, what they are?] who then should understand the thunder of his mightinesses? [i.e. his very great and dreadful power.]