Job 5

1. Call now. To whom then can you venture to appeal in support of your cause?

saints. Or, “holy ones”; meaning probably the angels.

2 envy. Or, “indignation.” Some suppose the meaning to be, that complaints against God are destructive to the complainant. Others apply the words “anger” and “indignation” to God.

3 suddenly I cursed his habitation. That is, “I felt sure that the wicked man, however prosperous he may appear, would be quickly cut down.”

4 crushed in the gate. That is, in the place of judgement, which was usually held at the gate of the city. They were ruined by litigation, or “oppressed in judgement.”

5 the robber, etc. Literally, “the snare gapeth for their substance” (wealth), R.V. i.e., intriguers or robbers seek to rob them (Davies-Gesenius: Hebrew Dictionary).

6. Although affliction, etc. Rather, “For” (R.V.); and so in ver. 7, for “yet” read “for.”

13. He taketh the wise, etc. St. Paul quotes these words of Eliphaz (1 Cor. iii. 19), not because of the speaker’s authority, but of their own truth. Their application by Eliphaz to Job was a mistake.

15. From their mouth. That is, the mouths of their enemies. The figure is taken from rapacious animals, to which unjust and oppressive rulers are frequently likened. R.V. reads, “from the sword of their mouth,” following another MS. reading.

19. In seven. That is, in any succession of troubles; a definite number being put for an indefinite.

21 the scourge of the tongue. A slanderous tongue, which inflicts a severe wound on the peace and reputation.

23. In league, etc. A poetic expression, meaning that both animate and inanimate creation should be at peace with him.

24 shalt not sin. This probably means “thou shalt miss nothing.” Thus the whole line may be read, “Thou shalt visit thy fold” (R.V., or “farm”), “and shalt miss nothing.”

26 cometh in. Literally, “cometh up” to the threshing-floor, on some eminence, to catch the breeze.