1.
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
answered and said = replied and said. The idiom ( App-6 ) requires that the first verb (where nothing has been as yet said) must be rendered according to the context: "spake", "prayed", "began", "concluded", &c. Here it = replied and said. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 .
2.
If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
assay = attempt, or try.
to commune = a word.
who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
speaking. Hebrew. millah = words composing the matter of what is said.
3.
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
words = sayings. Hebrew. millah. See note on "speaking" (Job 4:2 ).
falling = stumbling.
5.
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6.
Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Is not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . The Authorized Version of 1611 reads "confidence; the uprightness of thy ways and thy hope? "First altered in the Cambridge edition of 1638. Name of editor is unknown.
7.
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
8.
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9.
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
blast. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16 .
breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
nostrils. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
10.
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
12.
Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
a little = a whispering.
13.
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 .
14.
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
all = the multitude of.
15.
Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
a spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 :. a movement of air, caused by something unseen.
16.
It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
17.
Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Shall. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
mortal man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .
man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .
18.
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
put no trust = putteth no faith in. Hebrew. 'aman. App-69 . Compare Job 15:15 , Job 15:31 .
servants = messengers (Psalms 104:4 ).
charged = will charge.
19.
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
houses of clay. Compare 2 Corinthians 5:1 .
before = sooner than.
20.
They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21.
Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.