1.
And Job answered and said,
answered. See note on Job 4:1 .
2.
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
No doubt, &c. Figure of speech Eironeia. App-6 .
3.
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
who knoweth not. ? Figure of speech Erotisis. App-6 .
4.
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
GOD Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
5.
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6.
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
GOD Hebrew El. App-4 .
7.
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
they shall, &c. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .
8.
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
the hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
10.
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
soul = life. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach.
mankind = flesh of man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
11.
Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
12.
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Him: i.e. Jehovah (Job 12:9 ).
14.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
shutteth . . . opening. Hebrew idiom for exercising authority. Compare Revelation 3:7 . Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 .
15.
Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16.
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
wisdom = stability. See note on Proverbs 2:7 .
17.
He leadeth counsellers away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18.
He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19.
He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20.
He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
21.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
weakeneth = looseneth.
strength = girdle. Occurs only here and Psalms 109:19 and Isaiah 23:10 .
22.
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
discovereth = uncovereth.
23.
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
increaseth = maketh them great. Occurs only here and Job 36:24 .
24.
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the courage given by it.
wilderness = a pathless tohu. Compare note on Genesis 1:2 .
25.
They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.