When the scourge
The term "scourge" in this context refers to a form of severe affliction or calamity. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "שׁוֹט" (shot), which can mean a whip or a form of punishment. Historically, scourges were instruments of physical punishment, often used to discipline or torture. In the broader scriptural context, a scourge can symbolize divine judgment or a trial allowed by God. Job, in his suffering, perceives the calamities that have befallen him as a scourge, a severe test of his faith and endurance.

brings sudden death
The phrase "brings sudden death" highlights the abrupt and unexpected nature of the calamity. The Hebrew word for "sudden" is "פִּתְאֹם" (pithom), which conveys the idea of something happening without warning. This suddenness adds to the terror and despair experienced by those who suffer. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sudden death was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or as an inscrutable act of the divine will. Job's lament here reflects his struggle to understand why such swift and devastating events occur, especially to those who are innocent.

He mocks
The word "mocks" is translated from the Hebrew "לָעַג" (laag), which means to deride or ridicule. This is a strong expression of Job's perception of God's actions. From Job's perspective, it seems as though God is indifferent or even scornful towards the plight of the innocent. This reflects Job's deep anguish and confusion, as he grapples with the apparent injustice of his situation. In the broader biblical narrative, this sentiment is part of Job's honest wrestling with God, a theme that encourages believers to bring their deepest questions and struggles before the Lord.

the despair of the innocent
The "despair of the innocent" refers to the profound hopelessness experienced by those who suffer unjustly. The Hebrew word for "innocent" is "נָקִי" (naqi), meaning blameless or free from guilt. Job sees himself as innocent, yet he is engulfed in despair due to his suffering. This phrase underscores the central theme of the Book of Job: the problem of theodicy, or the question of why a just and loving God allows the righteous to suffer. Historically, this has been a profound question for believers, prompting deep theological reflection and trust in God's ultimate justice and goodness, even when circumstances seem inexplicable.

(23) The scourge slay suddenly.--Probably meaning that in the case of hidden calamity overtaking an innocent man, He, God, will laugh at it: that is to say, take no more notice of it than if it furnished Him with sport. The very fact of such calamity befalling, as it often does, the innocent is at all events, in one view, a proof of His indifference to it who, by the exercise of His providence, could easily interpose to prevent it, and so looks as if He verily winked at it. Job's argument is the argument of a man who wilfully shuts out faith in his estimate of God's dealings; not that Job is devoid of faith, but in the course of arguing with his friends, who maintain the strict, rigid justice of God, he confronts them with the severe logic of facts, which they can neither contradict nor explain. Of course, for the very requirements of argument, he takes the pessimist view of the Divine providence, and declares even that the earth is given over into the hands of the wicked man. "He covereth the face of the judges thereof; and if it is not He that doeth this, who is it? there can be none other. He either doeth the evil Himself, or He permits it to be done; and what is the difference, supposing Him able to prevent it?" When we review the disorders of the earth--and how much more in Job's days was it so--all must admit that faith is sorely tried; and even faith can render but a very partial explanation of them, so that such a line as this is fully justified, when the adversary is determined to maintain that all is rose-coloured, happy, and equal as Job's friends did. They had before them an instance of inequality in the Divine conduct, and they must either make it square with the Divine justice or give up the contest. They could not do the one, and were unwilling to do the other; it only remained, therefore, for Job to assert the inequality of the Divine dealings, and he puts the case as strongly as he can, all the time, it must never be forgotten, holding fast his faith in God, so that at the last he is even justified by God, who says to his friends, "Ye have not spoken of me that which is right, like my servant" (Job 42:8).

Verse 23. - If the scourge slay suddenly. Such a "scourge" as war, or pestilence, or famine, is probably meant. If one of these be let loose upon a land, and slay, as it always does slay, indifferently the good and the bad, the innocent and the guilty, what is God's attitude? Does he interpose to save the righteous? By no means. He looks on passively, indifferently. Job even goes further, and says, with an audacity that borders on irreverence, if it does not even overstep the border, He will laugh at the trial of the innocent. St. Jerome says, "There is nothing in the whole book harsher than this." It may, perhaps, be excused, partly as rhetorical, partly as needful for the full expansion of Job's argument. But it is a fearful utterance. (Professor Lee's attempt to explain the whole passage differently is scarcely a successful one.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


When
אִם־ (’i·mō·šō-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

the scourge
שׁ֭וֹט (wṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7752: A scourge, whip

brings sudden
פִּתְאֹ֑ם (piṯ·’ōm)
Adverb
Strong's 6597: Suddenness, suddenly

death,
יָמִ֣ית (yā·mîṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

He mocks
יִלְעָֽג׃ (yil·‘āḡ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3932: To deride, to speak unintelligibly

the despair
לְמַסַּ֖ת (lə·mas·saṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4531: A testing, of men, of God

of the innocent.
נְקִיִּ֣ם (nə·qî·yim)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt


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OT Poetry: Job 9:23 If the scourge kills suddenly he will (Jb)