1.
But Job answered and said,
answered = spake, but Hebrew Idiom = replied. See note on Job 4:1 and Deuteronomy 1:41 .
2.
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 .
my grief: i.e. the cause of my grief.
3.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
arrows. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Compare Deuteronomy 32:23 , Deuteronomy 32:42 .Psalms 38:2 .Ezekiel 5:16 . Zechariah 9:14 .
THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew Shaddai. App-4 .
drinketh = draineth.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Perhaps in the sense of taking away his courage.
terrors. Only here and Psalms 88:16 .
GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
5.
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Doth . . . loweth . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Only here and 1 Samuel 6:12 .
bray. Only here and Job 30:7 .
when he hath = over.
6.
Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Can . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
white of an egg. "Egg" occurs only here. "White" (Hebrew. rir) is found elsewhere only in 1 Samuel 21:13 , where it is rendered "spittle".
7.
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
meat = bread. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , put for all kinds of food.
8.
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
the thing that I long for = my expectation. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for the thing desired.
9.
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
destroy = crush.
10.
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
I would harden, &c. Occurs only here. = Let me even exult in my anguish (should He not spare) that I have not concealed, &c.
11.
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12.
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13.
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
wisdom = stability. See note on Proverbs 2:7 .
14.
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
the stream of brooks. Hebrew. , aphik = a, torrent restrained in a narrow channel, natural or artificial, open as in a gorge, or covered as in an aqueduct, passing away, inaccessible, and out of sight. See note on first occurrence, 2 Samuel 22:16 .
16.
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17.
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
to nothings into a waste. Hebrew. tohu, as in Genesis 1:2 .
19.
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
troops = caravans.
companies = travellers.
20.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21.
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22.
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
Did I say . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Continued in Job 6:23 .
substance. Hebrew strength; put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for what is produced by it.
23.
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
words = sayings.
reprove = convince, or confute: i.e. what can a reproof from you reprove? See translation, below.
26.
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
27.
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30.
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Is there . . . ? cannot . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .