Geneva Study Bible Then Job answered and said, Then Job answered and said,
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? Shall {a} vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
(a) Which serve for vain ostentation and for no true comfort. I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. I also could speak as ye do: if your {c} soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and {d} shake mine head at you.
(c) I would that you felt what I do. (d) That is, mock at your misery, as you do at mine. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. But I would strengthen you {e} with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
(e) If this were in my power, yet I would comfort you and not do as you do to me. Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? Though I speak, my grief is {f} not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
(f) If you would say, Why do you not then comfort yourself? he answers that the judgments of God are more heavy than he is able to assuage either by words or silence. But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. But now {g} he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my {h} company.
(g) Meaning, God. (h) That is, destroyed most of my family. And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. And thou hast filled me with {i} wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
(i) In token of sorrow and grief. He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. {k} He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
(k) That is, God by his wrath: and in this diversity of words and high style, he expresses how grievous the hand of God was on him. They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the {l} cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
(l) That is, has handled me contemptuously: for so slapping the cheek signified, 1Ki 22:24, Mr 14:65 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the {m} hands of the wicked.
(m) They have led me where they would. I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. His {n} archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall {o} upon the ground.
(n) His manifold afflictions. (o) I am wounded to the heart. He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my {p} horn in the dust.
(p) Meaning, his glory was brought low. My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. Not for any injustice in {q} mine hands: also my prayer {r} is pure.
(q) Signifying that he is not able to understand the cause of this his grievous punishment. (r) That is, unfeigned and without hypocrisy. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. O earth, cover not thou my {s} blood, and let my cry have no place.
(s) Let my sin be known if I am such a sinner as my adversaries accuse me, and let me find no favour. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. Also now, behold, my {t} witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
(t) Though man condemn me, yet God is witness of my cause. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. My friends {u} scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
(u) Use painted words instead of true consolation. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man {x} pleadeth for his neighbour!
(x) Thus by his great torments he is carried away, and breaks out into passions, and speaks unadvisedly, as though God would intreat man more gently, seeing he has only a short time here to live. When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return. When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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