1.
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
is = has become.
corrupt = consumed.
extinct. Hebrew. Za'ak. Occurs only here.
the graves. The Septuagint reads as in translation below.
2.
Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
continue in = constantly dwell on.
3.
Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
Lay down now = Appoint it so, I pray.
put me, &c. = be thou my bond. Compare Isaiah 38:14 ("undertake").
who is he . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . The answer is given in Job 17:4 by Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "[not they]".
strike hands. The idiom for making a compact. Compare Proverbs 6:1 ; Proverbs 11:15 ; Proverbs 17:18 ; Proverbs 22:26 , &c.
4.
For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
5.
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
He that, &c. Supply Ellipsis, as in translation below; and treat Job 17:5 as a quotation.
children = sons.
fail = look in vain.
6.
He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
aforetime = in former times. Compare Ruth 4:7 ,
tabret = a drum. Hebrew. topheth. To the sound and warning of which people gave heed. See note on 1 Samuel 10:5 . After this verse imagine a pause.
7.
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
members = limbs.
8.
Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9.
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10.
But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
you. So some codices, with Syriac and "Vulgate, which Authorized Version and Revised Version followed. Other codices read "them".
11.
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
12.
They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
darkness. Hebrew. hashak. See note on Job 3:6 .
13.
If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
the grave. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35 . Compare Job 17:16 .
14.
I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou are my mother, and my sister.
15.
And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16.
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
the pit. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35 . Compare Job 17:13 .