Job 16

Job finds fault with the friends for distressing rather than comforting him (2-5); renews his complaint and protestations of uprightness, and his request to argue with God (6-22, xvii. 1-10); and closes by saying that his only hope is in the grave (11-16).

3 emboldeneth. Rather, “provoketh,” as R.V. 4 heap up words. Or, as R.V., “join words together” in rhetorical artifice.

7. He hath made . . . Thou hast made. Job turns, in the passion of his speech, from his friends to God in direct appeal.

8. Thou hast filled me with wrinkles, etc. Rather, “Thou hast laid hold on me; this testifieth against me; and my falsehood (i.e., the illness, that deceives men) riseth up and testifieth in my face.” Thy fearful inflictions are like a false witness testifying against me.

10. They have gaped upon me. Job now turns from God to his earthly persecutors, as the meaner brutes that follow in the lion’s track. There were men besides Job’s “friends” who derided him (xxx. 1). These especially are “the ungodly,” ver. 11.

12. I was at ease, etc. A sudden and unexpected attack.

13 poureth out my gall. Piercing the vitals.

14 giant. Rather, “warrior.” The figure is now that of a beleaguered city.

15. I have sewed sackcloth. Not merely “put it on,” but enveloped myself closely with the sign of mourning.

my horn. See I Sam. ii. 1.

16 foul. Or, “inflamed”; the tears and the inflammation were a symptom of Job’s disease.

18. O earth, cover not thou my blood. Job, regarding himself as persecuted to death, claims the supposed right of a murdered person, calls on the earth not to conceal the crime (see Gen. iv. 11), and appeals to God as the vindicator of the victim.

no place. No resting-place; let it always be heard. In Sophocles (Philoc., 1293) the same word as the Septuagint uses here is found in an appeal to the gods.

19. Also now. Rather, “Even now.” “Witness” is personal.

my record. Or, “eye-witness”; one who knows and sees. R.V., “He that voucheth for me.”

20 poureth out tears unto God. When faith is most severely tried by man’s unkindness and the darkness of providence, it will still turn, though with tears, to God.

21. O that one might plead! Perhaps, as R.V., “That he (the witness) would maintain the right of a man with God, and of a son of man with his neighbour!”