Job 13
Irwin8. Will ye accept His person? That is, Will ye be partial? The principles of truth and justice need never be neglected in vindicating God.
9. Is it good, etc.? Or, “Will it be good for you if He shall search you out? or, as men are deceived, can you deceive Him?” i.e., Will your motives in condemning me, under pretence of vindicating Him, bear His scrutiny? Surely He will condemn you (10).
12. Your remembrances, etc. Rather, “Your memorable sayings are like ashes; your bulwarks (i.e., of argument) as bulwarks of clay”: cp. R.V.
14 take my flesh in my teeth. That is, “incur every danger.” The figure is taken from wild beasts that carry off their prey in their teeth.
put my life in mine hand. Job is willing to risk all consequences to have the cause of his sufferings cleared up.
15. Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. The present Heb. text should be rendered, “Lo! let Him slay me; I have no hope (‘What else can I expect?’ (Moffatt)); yet I will defend my ways before Him”: i.e., I have no hope of prolonged existence; but I desire to vindicate my character before I die.
16. He also, etc. Some render, “This also will be to me for salvation; for an ungodly man will not come,” etc.: cp. R.V.
19. I shall give up the ghost. Job had nothing left to sustain him but the consciousness of his integrity; and if he yield that, he must expire. Some render, “Who is He that can convict me [in judgement?] for then would I be silent, and expire.”
26. Thou writest. i.e., judicially. Accusations, or indictments, were produced in writing: see xxxi. 35.
to possess. Or, “inherit.” The sorrows of age are a legacy from the sins of youth.
27. Thou puttest my feet in the stocks. Rather, “fastenest logs to my feet,” as was done with prisoners to prevent their escape, or as horses are “hobbled.”
Thou cettest a print, etc. This obscure clause may mean “Thou makest a mark for the roots of my feet,” or “watchest my steps.”
28 he, as a rotten thing, consumeth. R.V. reads, “Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth.”