1.
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2.
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
Should . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
man. Hebrew. 'ish.
3.
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
lies = babblings.
no man = none.
4.
For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
5.
But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
lips. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
6.
And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
double: i.e. manifold.
that which is. Compare note on Proverbs 2:7 .
exacteth. Theology. Zophar's mistake. God is no exactor.
7.
Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Canst. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew El Shaddai. App-4 .
8.
It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
what. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
hell. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35 .
9.
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10.
If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
cut off = pass by.
who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
11.
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
wickedness = iniquity. Hebrew. 'avert. See App-44 .
will He not then, &c. = although He seemeth not to perceive it.
12.
For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
vain man would be wise. Figure of speech Paronomasia. App-6 . "A man", nabub yillabeb = "a, man senseless [would become] sensible" if God did always punish immediately.
13.
If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;
If thou prepare. This was Zophar's false theology.
14.
If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
tabernacles = tents. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "tent" (singular) App-40 .
15.
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
16.
Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
Because. Syriac reads "For now".
17.
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
age. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the things done in it. See below. Hebrew. heled, like Greek. aion.
shine forth = soar or shoot upward like the rays of the rising sun.
18.
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
be secure. On this verse see translation below.
dig = look about, as in Joshua 2:2 . Compare Ch. Job 39:29 , i.e. before lying down (Job 11:19 ).
19.
Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
make suit, &c. Hebrew intreat thy face: i.e. seek thy favour.
20.
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
ghost = breath. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .