1.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
There was a man = A man came to be. This settles the question as to the historical fact. was = came to be. See note on p. 666.
man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
Uz. In Genesis 22:20 , Genesis 22:21 , immediately after the offering of Isaac, Abraham hears that his brother Nahor has eight sons, and among them two named Uz and Buz, and Kemuel the father of Aram. Uz gives his name to the land. Buz and Aram are connected with Elihu (Job 32:2 ). See App-62 . The land of Uz is mentioned in Jeremiah 25:20 and Lamentations 4:21 . South of Edom, west of Arabia, extending to the borders of Chaldea.
Job. In Hebrew. 'Iyyob = afflicted.
that = this.
was = came to be, as in Genesis 1:2 .
perfect = inoffensive. None are "perfect" in the English sense of the word. Hebrew. tam. See Genesis 20:5 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
evil. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 .
2.
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3.
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .
men = sons.
4.
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
one = man, as in Job 1:1 .
his day. Probably = birthday. Compare Job 1:5 ; Job 3:3 .Genesis 40:20 .
5.
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
were gone about = came round.
offered = offered up. App-43 . Showing that, from Genesis 4 onward, the institution was observed.
sinned. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
cursed. One of the eighteen emendations of the Sopherim ( App-33 ), by which the primitive Hebrew text, kalal = to curse, was changed to barak = to bless, as in Job 1:11 with Job 2:5 , Job 2:9 . Translated "cursed" in Authorized Version, and "renounced" in Revised Version, in spite of barak (blessed) standing in the printed text. See notes on 2 Samuel 12:14 and Psalms 10:3 .
6.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
sons of God = the angels. Compare Job 38:7 , and see App-23 .
present themselves = take their stations.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
Satan = the Adversary.
7.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9.
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Doth Job . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
10.
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Hast not Thou . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
11.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power exercised by it.
touch = hurt. Figure of speech Tapeinosis ( App-6 ), meaning much more than "touch".
12.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
power. Hebrew "hand". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power exercised by it.
13.
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
there was a day = the fit, or usual day. When Job was seventy. See notes on p. 666.
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .
14.
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ), to emphasize the details in all these reports of the calamities.
15.
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
the Sabeans. Hebrew Sheba. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), for the people of Sheba. Compare Job 6:19 . Isaiah 60:6 .
servants = young men.
16.
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
While he was yet speaking. Repeated three times to show the rapidity and vehemence of Satan's assault.
The fire of God = A fire of Elohim. Figure of speech Enallage ( App-6 ) = a great (or terrible) fire. Elohim used as an adjective. Compare Song of Solomon 8:6 . Psalms 80:10 .
17.
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18.
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19.
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
20.
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
shaved his head. Symbolic of mourning (Leviticus 21:5 .Jeremiah 7:29 ; Jeremiah 16:6 . Micah 1:16 ).
21.
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22.
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
this: i.e. these calamities.
sinned. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
foolishly = with injustice.