Job 27

Job defends his innocency against his friends, v.1, etc. Demonstrateth, that he is no wicked hypocrite, 8. He doth confess and grant, that the wicked are likewise punished here now and then, which he had never denied, 11, etc.

1. And Job proceeded [viz. After he made some stop, or had paused a little, expected what his friends would answer.] to take up his sentence [Comp. Num.23.7. and 1 Kings 4:32. and the annotation.] and said.

2. (As true as) God liveth, that hath taken away my right; [i.e. that seemeth to put by, or laid away out of his hands the good cause which I have against mine enemies, as unwilling, or careless to take cognisance thereof, and to decide it by his Sentence.] and the Almighty, that hath enflicted bitterness on my soul: [i.e. brought a most bitter and grievous affliction upon it. Compare Ruth 1:20. and 2 Kings 4:27. and the annotation.]

3. As long as my breath shall be within me, and the blast of God in my nose [Understand by the breath and blast of God mans nose, the life and soul of man, whereby the body liveth. Compare Genesis 2:7. and 1 Kings.17.17. with the annotation, and Isaiah 2:22.]

4. If my lips shall speak wrong, and if my tongue shall utter deceit. [understand, then God punish me, or doth thus to me, or wo unto me, &c. See Gen.14.on v.23.]

5. Far be it from me, that I justify you: [see of the signification of this verse, Gen.44.on v.16. Oth. Be it an unclean thing to me, if I do justify you, till I give (up) the ghost] until I shall have given (up) the Ghost [i.e. while I live, which after the manner of speaking in the Scriptures, is as much as to say, never. See Gen.28.on v.15.] will I not put away mine uprightness from me: [i.e. not give over to maintain it against all accusations and asperations.]

6. I shall lay fast hold on my righteousness, [viz. Of mine unblameable life before men, and my good conscience before God; in regard of those sins, wherewith I am charged.] and shall not let it go; my heart shall not disdain (the same): [i.e. not abandon it, to run any hazard; to grow careless in defence thereof. Thus the Hebrew word rendered disdain here, doth signify to expose a thing to danger, through slight regard, and to leave it unprotected. Judge 5.18. 2 Sam.13.9.] from my days [i.e. all my life, or because of my (former) days i.e. by reason of the former course of my life, viz. As if I had been an hypocrite or wicked wretch.]

7. Let mine enemy be as the wicked: [i.e. be esteemed and held so: for it is wickedness and perverseness to condemn the innocent. Or, I do so hate wickedness, that I wish it to mine Enemies. See the like kind of speaking, 2 Sam.18.32. Or shall be, i.e. it is so far from it, that I am such a wicked wretch, as they would make me, that those which now do count me such, shall be found such themselves. See below 42.7.] and he that riseth up against me, as the perverse.

8. For what is the expectation of the hypocrite, when he shall have been greedy; [Understand none at all, it is a question which strongely denieth. Compare Gen.18.on v.17. Job demonstrates hereby that he was no hypocrite; for as much as his expectation was good altogether and grounded in God the chiefest good. See above 13.v.15,16. And 19.v.25,26,27.] When God shall, draw forth his soul? [or, untie, &c. Viz. From his body by death;] an argument for the immortality of the soul. Compare Gen.35.18. and the annot. 1 Kings 19:4. John 4:3. Luke 12:20.]

9. Shall God hear his cry, when distress cometh over him? [He speaketh of the hypocrite and wicked, with whom he had no communion; seeing God heard him, he comforted himself in God, and did continually call upon him. See above 6.10. and 12.4. and 13.14. and 19.25,26.]

10. Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?

11. I will teach you of the hand of God: [i.e. concerning the hand of God, the Hebrew Letter Beth, is likewise taken for Vau, Exod.12.43,44,45. Psalms 87:3. Understand here, by the hand of God; his decree, and the execution thereof: So also, acts 4.28.] that which is with the Almighty, I will not conceal.

12. Behold, ye all have seen it your selves: [i.e. sound it by experience, what I have, and shall relate of good and bad in this world.] And why are ye made vain thus, [i.e. erring and besotted in your conceits and arguings] through vanity? [i.e. want of understanding, whereby it came to pass, that they neither judged nor spake aright of the foresaid matters.]

13. This is the part of the wicked man with God; [viz. That which I am now about to hold forth: Job granteth to his friends, that the wicked are sometimes punished here, as he had not denied neither, having taught only, that they lived in prosperity for the most part, and were but seldom touched by the common plagues.] And the inheritance of the Tyrants, (which) they shall receive from the almighty.

14. If his [viz. The wicked mans] children multiply, it is for the sword: [i.e. they shall die, by the hand of their enemies, or of the Magistrate, or some other violent death.] and his sproutings [i.e. his children and off-springs, posterity. See above chap.5.on v.25.] shall not be satisfied with bread. [i.e. they shall starve and famish. Of the contrary, which happeneth most. See Psalm v.14.]

15. His remained (ones) [i.e. those which are left over and not destroyed by sword or famine] shall be buried in death: [i.e. they shall be brought to the grave in such sort, that their remembrance shall be buried with them, they being not counted worthy of any, or leaving but a stinking one behind like some dead carcase. Compare Psal.49.13.] and his widows shall not weep. [viz. At his burial, and that because of the remembrance of his great wickedness; or, because he shall have no stately or solemn funeral.]

16. If he shall have heaped up silver like dust: and prepared apparel, like clay:

17. He shall prepare them, but the righteous shall put them on, and the innocent shall share the silver.

18. He buildeth his house like a moth; [he compareth the wicked to a moth, which maketh a dainty habitation for her self in some precious stuff, but is soon and easily crush there, or shaken thence, thus to represent the great uncertainty and sickliness of his prosperity. Compare above chap.8.14.] and as a keeper maketh a but. [Or, as a hut, which the keeper maker. Another similitude serving to the same intent, taken from a keeper, appointed to watch some plants, or beasts, who easily maketh up a little hut, or shed for his ease, which he must soon forsake again, his service being at an end, or, the hut it self soon decaying, and easily falling to ruine of it self.]

19. Rich he doth lye down, [viz. For to sleep; thus the word lying down is taken, Gen.chap.19.4. See the annot. Oth. The rich shall lye down, i.e. die, and not be gathered, viz. To his people, i.e. have no solemn burial] and is not taken away: [viz. By death, i.e. he dieth not yet. See Psal.46.on v.19. Otherw. When there is nothing taken away, viz. By thieves, or robbers:] opening his eyes, he is not, [i.e. when he awaked in the night, thinking on no trouble, then mischief and destruction cometh suddenly and unexpectedly upon him; as is further declared in the sequel. Oth. When he openeth his eyes then there is nothing, i.e. he findeth himself bereaved of all his goods in one night.]

20. Terrors shall seize on him like waters: [Which use to break in with great violence, and carry all away before them: Adversities and miseries are compared to waters and inundations. See 2 Sam.22.on v.17. and above 22.11.] a whirl-wind shall steal him away by night, [i.e. the mischief shall fall upon him unawares, and rush with violence in upon him. The terrible judgements of God, are often executed by night, Exod.12.29. and 14.24. 2 Kings 19:35. Isa.15.1. Dan.5.30. Mat.25.6. of the whirl-winds similitude. See Job 9.on v.17 and 21.on v.18.]

21. The east-wind shall carry him away, that he is gone: [unto this wind (which in those countries was exceeding fierce, violent and hurtful) Job compareth Gods wrath and fury here. See Exod.10.on v.13.] and shall storm him away out of his place, [i.e. out of his authority, house, wealth, ease and reputation. Compare above 8.on v.18.]

22. And (God) shall cast (this) [viz. The foresaid and such like punishments.] over him; [viz. The wicked] and not spare: he shall swiftly flee from his hand. [Heb. Fleeing flee, viz. When he shall find himself visited and plagued of God.]

23. (Everyone) viz: that shall see him in his adversity, and thrust out of his place.] shall clap over him with his hands; [viz. In token of contempt, mocking and derision. So Lam.2.15. Ezek.25.6. Zeph.2.15.] and whistle over him [See 1 Kings 9.on v.8.] out of his place. [viz. Either his that jeereth: or, the wicked that is jeered.]