Job 26

Job taunts Bildad with the feebleness of his answer (2-4); and then proves himself not behind his opponents in appreciating the power of God, whose operations he magnificently describes in the world of departed spirits, as well as on earth and in the material heavens (5-14).

3 the thing as it is. Rather, “sound knowledge,” R.V., as v. 12.

4. To whom. Rather, “With whom”; i.e., by whose assistance.

5. Dead things are formed, etc. Rather, “The Rephaim (i.e., the mighty dead) tremble beneath the waters and their inhabitants.” The underworld. Sheol, is regarded as lying deep beneath the ocean and all its teeming life.

6. Hell. Heb., “Sheol,” the under-world. The word rendered destruction is “Abaddon,” which occurs in Rev. ix. 11. It here means the place of destruction.

7 the empty place. Or, “emptiness,” the vast space between earth and stars. “The north” appears to mean the northern sky.

9. He holdeth back the face of His throne. A slight difference in the pointing of the Hebrew letters gives the word “moon” instead of “throne.” It would then read, “He hideth the face of the moon.”

10. Until the day and night come to an end. Rather, “to the confines of light and darkness” (R.V.): referring to the horizon of the earth, supposed to be encircled with water.

11. The pillars of heaven. The loftiest mountains, which seem to sustain the heavens.

12. He divideth the sea with His power, etc. Rather, “By His power He controlleth the sea, and by His wisdom He smiteth its pride (lit., ‘Rahab,’ ix. 13). By His breath the heavens become bright; His hand pierceth the fleeing serpent.”

14. Lo, these, etc. A magnificent close: “Lo! these are but the outskirts of His ways; and what a whisper of a word have we heard of Him! but the thunder of His power who can understand?”