1.
But Job answered and said,
answered = replied. See note on Job 4:1 .
2.
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
Hear diligently. See note on Job 13:17 .
3.
Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
mock on = mock [thou] on, as if pointing to him.
4.
As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
my spirit = myself. Hebrew. ruach ( App-9 ). Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the whole person, for emphasis.
5.
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
lay your hand, &c. A token of having no answer.
6.
Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7.
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8.
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9.
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
are safe = are in peace.
GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
10.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
their = each.
11.
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
children = lads.
12.
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
organ. Hebrew. 'ugab = a wind instrument. Compare Genesis 4:21 .Genesis 30:31 .Psalms 150:4 .
13.
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
go down = get dashed.
the grave. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35 .
14.
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
GOD. Hebrew EI. App-4 .
15.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
What. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew Shaddai. App-4 .
16.
Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17.
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18.
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
They: i.e. [How oft] they.
stubble = crushed straw. Hebrew. teben (not kash = straw.
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
19.
God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
GOD = [How oft] Eloah.
his: i.e. the lawless man's children.
iniquity. Hebrew. 'avert, App-44 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for punishment brought on by it.
children = sons.
20.
His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21.
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22.
Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23.
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24.
His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
breasts = skin bottles.
25.
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
26.
They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27.
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28.
For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
Where . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
prince = noble.
29.
Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
Have ye not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
30.
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
That. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ) before "That" = "[They say] that". See translation below.
31.
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
Who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
32.
Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
the grave = sepulchre. Hebrew. keber. App-35 .
tomb = tumulus, or sepulchral mound.
33.
The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
clods. Hebrew. degeb = soft, or moist clods. Occurs only here and Job 38:38 .
34.
How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
falsehood = perverseness. Hebrew. ma'al. App-44 .