1.
Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2.
Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3.
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
My words. In this chapter are to he found most of the fundamental doctrines of the N.T.
4.
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .
breath. Hebrew. neshamah . See App-16 .
THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew Shaddai. App-4 .
5.
If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
thy wish. Compare Job 13:3 , Job 13:18-24 ; Job 16:21 ; Job 23:3-9 ; Job 30:20 ; Job 31:35 .
7.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8.
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9.
I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10.
Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
findeth = seeketh. Compare Numbers 14:35 ; Numbers 32:7 .
He counteth. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "that He may count".
11.
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12.
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
greater than man. This is the theme of Elihu's addresses.
man = mortal man. Hebrew. 'enosh . App-14 .
13.
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14.
For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16.
Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17.
That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
from man. Hebrew from geber. App-4 .
18.
He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
pit. Hebrew. shachath = the grave, as dugout of the earth.
19.
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20.
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21.
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22.
Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Yea. This "Yea" was not in the Authorized Version of 1611, nor in editions of 1646 and 1648.
grave. Hebrew. shachath, as in Job 33:18 .
23.
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
If there be. This is another way by which God speaks.
interpreter. To reveal God and His truth. Compare John 1:18 .
His: i.e. God ' s righteousness.
24.
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
a Hansom = an Atonement. Hebrew. kopher, a covering by shedding of blood, or the price of expiation, or atonement.
25.
His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26.
He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
joy = shouts of joy.
27.
He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
I have sinned. This is true wisdom. See note on Job 28:28 . This is "the end of the Lord" (James 5:11 ), to which all was leading, and which is reached at length in Job 42:2-5 .
sinned. Hebrew. chata. App-44 .
28.
He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29.
Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30.
To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31.
Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32.
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33.
If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
hearken = hearken thou.