Job 7

1 an appointed time. Or, “a warfare”: man’s life is a hard service; his days are days of labour.

2. As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow. “As the slave panteth for the shade,” i.e., the evening, which will bring refreshment and rest.

5. My skin is broken, etc. Rather, “closeth and melteth,” referring to the sores contracting and running alternately.

9 to the grave. Heb., “to Sheol,” the world of the departed.

10. He shall return no more. No future life shall be for him on earth. The ancient Egyptians taught that this was possible on certain conditions.

12 a whale. Or, “monster.” That is, restless and ungovernable; to be restrained by power only.

15 my life. Literally, “my bones”; i.e., my emaciated form.

17. What is man, etc.? Compare the eighth Psalm. The Psalmist contemplates man as honoured by the Divine notice; to the suffering patriarch this notice is for the infliction of deeper suffering.

set Thine heart. Rather, “fix Thine attention upon him.”

18 visit him. That is, with sufferings.

19 till I swallow down my spittle. A colloquial expression for a moment of time.

20. I have sinned, etc. Or, “I have sinned, [yet] what [evil] have I done to Thee, O Thou Watcher of men?” meaning that his sins were not so flagrant as to require exemplary punishment.

a mark against Thee. Rather, “a mark to Thee”; i.e., to Thy attacks.

21. Thou shalt seek me in the morning. Rather, “early,” or “diligently” (as R.V.). If any favour be shown me, it must be done soon. It is observable that Job here acknowledges himself a sinner, while maintaining his general integrity.

the rush. The papyrus. See notes on Gen. xli. 2; Exod. ii. 3. This proverb probably originated in Egypt; it illustrates the luxuriant prosperity and sudden destruction of the ungodly.

the flag. The Nile-grass; Gen. xli. 2.