Geneva Study Bible But Job answered and said, But Job answered and said,
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the {a} balances together!
(a To know whether I complain without just cause. For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are {b} swallowed up.
(b) My grief is so great that I lack words to express it. 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. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do {c} set themselves in array against me.
(c) Which declares that he was not only afflicted in body, but wounded in conscience, which is the greatest battle that the faithful can have. Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? Doth the {d} wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
(d) Do you think that I cry without cause, seeing the brute beasts do not complain when they have what they want. Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? Can that which is {e} unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
(e) Can a man's taste delight in that, which has no savour? meaning that no one takes pleasure in affliction seeing they cannot do away with things that are unsavoury to the mouth. The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Oh that I might have my {f} request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
(f) In this he sins double, both in wishing through impatience to die, and also in desiring of God a thing which was not agreeable to his will. Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
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. Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; {g} for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
(g) That is, let me die at once before I come to distrust God's promise through my impatience. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine {h} end, that I should prolong my life?
(h) He fears lest he should be brought to inconveniences, if his sorrows should continue. Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? Is not my {i} help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
(i) Have I not sought to help myself as much as was possible? To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a {k} brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
(k) He compares friends who do not comfort us in our misery to a brook which in summer when we need water is dry, in winter is hard frozen and in the time of rain when we have no need overflows with water. Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. The troops of Tema {l} looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
(l) They who pass by it to go into the hot countries of Arabia, think to find water there to quench their thirst but they are deceived. They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. For now ye are {m} nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
(m) That is, like this brook which deceives them who think to have water there in their need, as I looked for consolation from you. Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your {n} substance?
(n) He touches the worldlings who for need will give part of their goods, and much more these men, who would not give him comfortable words. Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. Teach me, and I will {o} hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
(o) Show me where I have erred, and I will confess my sin. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? How {p} forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
(p) He who has a good conscience does not shrink at the sharp words or reasonings of others, unless they are able to persuade him by reason. Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Do ye imagine to reprove {q} words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
(q) Do you object to my words because I would be thought to speak foolishly, and am now in misery? Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. Now therefore be content, {r} look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
(r) Consider whether I speak as one who is driven to this impatience through sorrow, or as a hypocrite as you condemn me. Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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