1.
But Job answered and said,
answered = replied [to Bildad]. See note on Job 4:1 .
2.
How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
3.
How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
as it is = the thing that is. See note on "sound wisdom". Proverbs 2:7 .
4.
To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
spirit. Hebrew. neshamah . App-16 .
5.
Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
Dead things are formed from under the waters. The Ellipsis must be supplied thus: "[The place where] the Rephaim stay [which is] beneath the waters, and the things that are therein. "This place thus answers to the other place, Sheol, the grave, in the next verse.
Dead things. Hebrew "The Rephaim", the offspring of the fallen angels, akin to the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4 . See App-23 and App-25 and note on Isaiah 26:14 , Isaiah 26:19 ).
are formed = remain. Hebrew. hul , a Homonym with three meanings: (1) to stay , remain , as here; Genesis 8:10 . Judges 3:25 . 2 Samuel 3:29 . Lamentations 4:6 . Hosea 11:6 , even to wait , hence to trust , Job 35:14 . Compare Psalms 37:7 . Lamentations 3:26 ; (2) to be in pain , and hence to bring forth , Deuteronomy 2:25 .Isaiah 23:4 ; Isaiah 26:18 ; Isaiah 54:1 ; Isaiah 66:8 . Psalms 29:9 , &c.; (3) to be formed as made or brought forth, Job 26:13 .Psalms 51:5 ; Psalms 90:2 .Deuteronomy 32:18 . Proverbs 8:24 , Proverbs 8:25 ; Proverbs 26:10 . Proverbs 15:7 .
6.
Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.
Hell. Hebrew. Sheol . App-35 .
destruction. Hebrew. Abaddon .
7.
He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
north. See note on Psalms 75:6 . Isaiah 14:13 , Isaiah 14:14 .
upon nothing = not on any thing.
8.
He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
9.
He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.
10.
He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
11.
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
tremble . . . astonished. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia . App-6 .
12.
He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
13.
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
garnished = beautified.
hath formed = doth stay. See note on Job 26:5 .
crooked = fleeing. Heb barih . The word occurs only here; Isaiah 27:1 ; Isaiah 43:14 , referring to the constellation "Serpens".
serpent = nachash, the shining one. Hence a serpent; here, the constellation so called.
14.
Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
but how little a portion = 'tis but a whisper.