Job 15

Another series of the controversy now begins, in which the speakers become more excited and violent, but say little against Job that is new. Eliphaz commences by charging Job’s effusions with vanity and impiety (2-13); he opposes Job’s affirmation of his innocence and of the too great severity of his punishment (14-16); and describes, in the sayings of wise men of former times, the overwhelming misery of the wicked (17-35).

4 thou castest off fear, etc. Rather, “Yea, thou makest void the fear of God, and restrainest devotion before God”; meaning that Job’s principles were fatal to holiness and piety; perhaps referring to ix. 22-24; xii. 6.

5 thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity. Rather, “Thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth” (R.V.), i.e., What you say is prompted by your wickedness.

8 the secret of God. i.e., “the secret counsel” (as R.V.). Or, “In the council of God hast thou listened, and hast thou restricted wisdom to thyself?”

11. Is there any secret thing with thee? Rather, “And words gently spoken towards thee”: cp. R.V. The meaning of the whole verse is, Do you regard as of small account the Divine consolations and gentle reproofs which I have addressed to you?

12 what do thy eyes wink at? An expression of pride and insolence.

13. That thou turnest thy spirit, etc. Or, “For against God thou turnest thy spirit (i.e., directest thy wrath), and lettest words go forth from thy mouth.”

15. His saints. Meaning, probably, angels.

19 the earth. Rather, “the land”: before they had become intermingled with and corrupted by other nations. Now follows a series of “wise sayings,” quotations from “the wisdom of the fathers.”

20. The wicked man travailleth, etc. Or, “All the days of the wicked man he is in pain, and a number of years is hidden (i.e., secretly destined) for the oppressor.” A life of wickedness is wretched and limited.

22. He believeth not. To “darkness,” i.e., calamity, is added despair. He is “waited for,” i.e., so it seems to his own apprehension. So “wandereth,” in the next verse.

25. For he stretcheth out, etc. Or (as in 27), “Because he hath stretched . . . hath strengthened himself,” i.e., “behaved himself proudly” (R.V.).

26. He runneth upon Him, even on His neck, etc. Rather, “with his (i.e., the sinner’s) neck, with the thick bosses of his bucklers”; i.e., with his head erect (Psa. lxxv. 5), and confiding in his strength. This is a very significant image of daring impiety.

27 he covereth, etc. Rather, “he hath covered . . . and made” (R.V.); giving himself up to a life of luxury.

28 he dwelleth in desolate cities. Rather, “hath dwelt,” etc. His insatiable ambition has caused desolation around him: see Isa. v. 8. He has dispossessed the lawful owners and occupiers, and has brought down a curse upon the very buildings. “Heaps” are ruins.

29. Neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof. Probably, “Neither shall their produce bend to the earth” (R.V.), i.e., like heavy crops of corn in harvest or richly-laden trees.

30 the flame. i.e., the scorching sun; or sultry wind.

31. Let not him that is deceived, etc. Rather, “Let him not trust in evil; he is deceived, for evil shall be his recompense.”

33. He shall shake off, etc. The grape in its early stages is peculiarly liable to disease, and the olive blossom is so delicate as to be shaken off by the slightest wind.

34 the congregation of hypocrites, etc. “The company of the godless shall be barren” (R.V.), referring to the pictures of blight already given.