Job 9

Job confesseth the righteousness of God, v.1, etc. He sheweth that it is neither lawful nor profitable for any to contend with God, 3. To this end he rehearseth some of the Divine Attributes, and Operations, 4. He complaineth that the godly are punished, together with the ungodly, 24. That the sence of his suffering brought him to an extream dismaiedness, 27. He is ready to maintain his innocence before God against his friends, 34.

1. But Job answered and said:

2. Verily I know that it is so: [viz. As thou sayest, that God indeed is righteous, punishing the evil, and protecting the good. This I do know so well, that it never came into my mind to charge God with unrighteousness.] for how should man be righteous with God? [i.e. before God. So the Hebrew word is taken, 1 Sam.2.26. Psa.130.4.]

3. If he hath a mind to contend with him, he shall not answer him, one of a thousand, [man shall be found guilty a thousand times over, i.e. very often, and in a manner, infinitely. A certain number for an uncertain, See Lev.26. on v.8.]

4. He [viz. God; see ab.3.on v.20.] is wise of heart, [[by the Hebrews the word heart is taken sometimes for the seat of the understanding, and consequently also for the understanding and wisdom it self. Exod.28.3.& 11.12. etc. 34.34. Pr.2.10. & 6.32. & 6.32.& 19.8. Hos.4.11.] and strong of power; who hardeneth himself against him, and had peace?

5. That transposeth the mountains, that they are not aware of it; [i.e. at unawares, and beyond all expectation, viz. Of the people that dwell upon them. Compare above ch.7.on v.10. or by way of comparison there is here ascribed life and motion unto things inanimate. See bel.ch.28. v.14.] that overturneth them in his anger.

6. That removeth the Earth out of her place; that her pillars [i.e. her nethermost grounds and foundations] shake [i.e. do even quake and tremble for terror, comp.bel.26.11.]

7. That he commandeth the Sun, [Heb. Saith to the Sun; to say, or to speak, for to command. See 2 Chron.29.on v.24.] and he riseth not; [viz. Ordinarily, whiles the night must continue over such, and such lands Horizon; to or extraordinarily, when God is pleased to bring some alteration in the course of the Sea, Josh.10.20. 2 Kings 20:11.] and sealeth up the stars [viz. By the daylight, which hideth them, even as by a seal the contents of the letter, are hidden from the sight. The sense is, that God doth make the day: as in the first part of this verse the making of the night is ascribed to him. Or, it may be understood of some extraordinary and miraculous obscuring or with-holding of the light of the stars: thus the word sealing, is taken Isa.29.11. Dan.9.24. etc 12.4,9.]

8. That spreads forth the heavens alone: and treadeth upon the heights of the Sea [i.e. upon the flood, and high-swollen waves of the sea, which God doth calm and make plain, as if he did level and smooth with his feet.]

9. That maketh the Wain, [a certain constellation of the heavens, so called likewise by many to this day, but otherwise Arctas, or, Ursa. Some do understand here the constellation called Arcturus. See hereof likewise bel.38,32.] the Orton [another Constellation appearing in December, until the Spring time. See likewise hereof, bel.38.31. & Amos 5:8.] and the seven stares, [also a Constellation, or Celestial sign, called by the Latines Vergiliae, and Plejades by the Greeks, vulgarly the sevens stares, appearing in the spring; whereof see also, chap.38.31.] and the inner-chambers of the South. [or, withdrawings, or secret, private cabinets. Understand hereby the stars that are about the South pole, and called secret or private rooms, withdrawing chambers, because they are for the most part not seen by us, that dwell about the North-pole.]

10. That doth great things [see ab.ch.3.v.9. and the annotation there.] which one cannot search thorough [Heb. To no searching thorough] and wonders, which one cannot number.

11. Behold he shall pass before me [viz. With the testimony of his wisdom, power, goodness and righteousness, which he doth variously express in his works, and present to our view, yet cannot sufficiently be dived into and discovered by us, Rom.11.33.] and I shall not see him: and he shall pass by, [Heb. Alter, viz. The place. Spoken of God according to the manner of men, in regard of the works, which he doth, whether in wrath or mercy. See ab.ch.4.on v.15.] and I shall not observe him.

12. Behold, he shall prey, [i.e. deprive, despoil men of their goods and life, which he had given them; by reason of their sins. Comp. 2 Sam.16.10. Isaiah 45:9. Jeremy 18.6. Romans 9:20.] who shall make him restore it? Who shall say unto him, what doest thou?

13. God shall not turn away his anger: [i.e. not withhold his judgement, when once hath determined to execute the same, according to his righteous sentence how eagerly soever the wicked strive and spurn against it, seeking by main force and power to eschew or remove the same.] the proud helpers are bowed under him. [Heb. The helpers of Pride, i.e. those which so arrogantly presume, they shall be able to help themselves, or others.]

14. How much now shall I answer him: [i.e. be able to answer him. Viz. When he shall call me to judgement: and so in the next verse] (and) choose out my Words against him? [The Hebrew particle, rendered against, here, and signifying properly with, is sometimes taken for against, as Deut.9.7. & 10.17. Psal.94.16. Prov..30.31.]

15. Whom I should not answer if I were righteous: I shall entreat my Judges for mercy [or grace.]

16. If I do call, and he answereth me; I shall not believe that he hath hearkened to my voice. [i.e. I shall not firmly believe it. For Job being quite cast down through the grievousness of his affliction, and terrified by the greatness of the Divine Majesty, he was not able for a time, to imagine any possibility of a speedy deliverance out of his misery.]

17. For he bruiseth me by a Tempest [viz. Of judgements and Visitations, which were fallen upon him, and which he doth compare to a Tempest, by reason of their sudden, unexpected, fierce and terrible seizing on him. Comp.bel.27.20. Psalms 83:16. Prov.10.25. Ezek.13.11,13,14. Amos 1:14.] and multiplieth my wounds [understand the miseries, which by the visitation of the LORD, had seized upon his body, goods, and family.] without cause [viz. Whereby I should have deserved such a fearful punishment more than other men, or, without having committed any such execrable crime, as might deserve such an extraordinary punishment. See above ch.2.on v.3.]

18. He doth not suffer me to fetch my breath: [Heb. To return, or, bring again my spirit: i.e. to have any respite, ease or breathing; but persisteth continuedly to fill up these plagues upon me, and to enthral me without any hope of release: Compare above 7.on verse 4. Spirit for breath. So below again 19.17.] but he filleth me [saturate me] with bitternesses [i.e. with sad and grievous afflictions. Compare the 2 Kings 4.on verse 27.]

19. If it (come) to power [i.e. if the difference betwixt God and me, shall be decided and determined by power] behold, he is strong; and if it (come) to judgement, who shall summon me? [Heb. Make me gather? i.e. who shall make us to meet, that we may plead together, and that there may be given a sentence at last between us?]

20. If I do justify my self, [viz. Before God, Oth. Though I be righteous] my mouth shall condemn me [i.e. I shall not withstanding be forced to confess, that I am a poor sinner: or even by that which my own mouth shall utter, God shall be able to convince me of sin. Of the word, condemn see below chap.10.on verse 2.] if I am upright, yet shall he declare me perverse. [he, i.e. God, or my own mouth, shall question me so wisely, that in my very justifying he shall find matter enough to condemn me; and although in this present difference, I do maintain a good cause against mine Enemies, yet I know my self to be a sinful man before God, and therefore liable to be condemned.]

21. If I am upright (yet) do I not regard my soul: [Heb. Not know, etc, i.e. not regard. Care for, improve. Compare Gen.18. the annotation on verse 19. Oth. I shall not know my soul, or, my self; as if I were beside or not my self, for fear of the Divine Majesty: my self, i.e. my life. See Gen.19.on verse 17. The explanation followeth in the end of this verse. Or, my self. See 1 Kings 19.on verse 4.] I disdain my life.

22. That is a thing wherefore I say, [i.e. which I can hardly suppress or forebear to say, that being godly, I must nevertheless disdain my life, by reason of the manifold evils and vexations which seized on me in the same.] He doth consume the upright, and the wicked.

23. When the scourge doth hastily put to death [viz. The good or godly together with the wicked] he mocketh the temptation of the innocent [viz. According to the outward semblance of this life, but not according to the harden truth of things; for according to the outward appearance, there seemeth to be no difference here, between the good and the bad; which hath always much perplexed the godly here, Psal.37.1. & 73.2, &c. Eccle.8.14. Jer.12.1. Haback 1.13,14. Mal.3.4. but otherwise it is true what we read Psalms 73:17,18. Jer.12.3. Mal.3.16,17. 1 Cor.11.32. Heb.12.10,11. Of the word temptating, see Gen.22.on verse 1.]

24. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; [i.e. by Gods disposing put into the power of the wicked: whereas a man would think, the godly rather ought to have the upperhand, and the chief command in the world] he doth cover the face of the judges thereof [understand that God doth blind the Governors of the World in the eyes of their Understanding, that they are not able to discern between good and bad, for the punishing of vice and rewarding of virtue.] if not, who is He then? [viz. That doeth it. Oth. Where (and) who is he? How God is said to do the evil, See Gen.45. on verse 5. And 1 Kings 12.on verse 15. The particle Then in Hebrews is Epho, whereof see Hos.13.on verse 10.]

25. And my days have been lighter then a runner; [as if he said; if I had any prosperity, the same was suddenly gone; but the wicked prosperity is lasting, Psalms 73:4. lighter, i.e. swifter see above chap.7.on verse 6.] they are fled away, they have not seen the good; [i.e. not enjoyed it. See above chap.7.on verse 7.]

26. They are past by with [i.e. like unto, as appears by the second members of this verse.] pinnaces; [Heb. Ships of desire, i.e. Which sail so swiftly, that they seem to have a desire and longing to the place, whether they are bound: or understand ships, that being laden with desirable i.e. precious wares, do what they can to speed and expedite their voyage, that they may bring their rich commodities home soon, and make money of it.] like as an Eagle flyeth after the Carcass.

27. If I do say, I will forget my complaint, and I will give over my behaviour [Heb. Face, or countenance, i.e. my distempered carriage, and disconsolate demeanour] and retreat my self.

28. I am agast at all my pains: [fearing they shall hinder me to perform what I said.] I know that thou shalt not hold me guiltless. [i.e. not let me go unpunished, see 1 King. On v.9.]

29. I shall be wicked (nevertheless) [or guilty, liable to punishment; or likewise; beheld, declared, wicked, or guilt; that thou mayest always maintain thy right; whatever I may endeavour to produce and plead on my behalf.] Wherefore they shall labour in vain. [i.e. why shall I take any pains now to no purpose? Or labour in vain to plead my cause?]

30. If I do wash my self with snow-water; and cleanse my hands with soap; [Other in cleanness.]

31. Then shalt thou dip me into the ditch, [viz. Which is Moorish, full of mite, and filth, and out of which I must needs come forth then exceedingly defiled and stinking before thee. He speaketh by comparison, the sense is. That his pleading, however it may be set out and adorned with goodly words and terms, would be of no validity, if the Lord should enter into judgement against him.] and my cloths shall loath me [i.e. whatsoever is next or near, and belonging to me, shall loath and abhor me by reason of my uncleanness. The expression is hyperbolical.]

32. For he is not a man, as I, whom I should answer, if we met together in judgement.

33. There is, no umpire [or, Judge] between us; (that) might lay his hand upon us both. [viz. Both, by his authority to prescribe Laws and Orders unto us, whereby to order our pleading, and likewise to determine our different at last by his Sentence. Observe, that the saying on of hands, was taken of power and command. Oth. That could lay his hands on both of us, i.e. that were able to execute the sentence once given.

34. Let him put away his rod from upon me, [as if he said, if I were freed from this suffering, and had but to deal with one like my self, whose Majesty could strike no terror in me: I should make it soon appear that those plagues came not upon me for any such gross or heinous sins, and wickedness, as yet conceit they do. By the rod, he understands the correction, or chastiment he was under, as 2 Sam.7.14. & 21.9. & 37.13. Psa.89.33. Isa.10.5. Lam.3.1.] and let not his terror affright me.

35. Then shall I speak, and not fear him, for I am not such [viz. As my friends do represent, or would make me seem to be] by my self. [i.e. in my own conscience, experience and trial. Oth. Thus I am not by my self.]