Chapter XXVIII
Vcr. 1-28. Job's Speech Continued. In ch. 27. Job had tacitly admitted, that the statement of the friends was often true, that God vindicated His justice by punishing
tiie wicked here; but still tlie affliction of the godly remained unexplained. Man has, by skill, brought tlie precious metals from their concealment. But the Divine Wisdom, which governs human atfairs, he cannot simi-
l.arly discover, 12, &c. However, the image from the same metals (ch. 23. 10), implies Job has made some way towards solving the riddle of his life, viz., that affliction is to !iim as the refining fire to gold, vein—A mine, from wliich it goes forth, Hebrew, i. e., is dug. place for gold— A place where gold may be found, which men refine. Kot as English 'Version, "A place where," &c. (Malaclii 3. 3). Contrasted with gold found in the bed and sand of rivers, wliich does not need refining; as tlie gold dug from a mine does. Golden ornaments have been found in Egypt, of
(1 Kings 6. 20, Margin), weighed—The precious metals were weighed out before coining was known (Genesis 23.
tlie times of Jo.seph. 2. brass i. e., copper ; for bra.ss is a mixed metal of copper and zinc, of modern invention. Iron Is less easily discovered, and wrought, than copper; therefore copper was in common use long before iron. Copper-stone is called "cadmium" by Pliny (^Natukal History 31. 1 ; 36. 21]. Iron is fitly said to be taken out of the " earth" (dust), for ore looks like mere earth. 3. " Man makefi au (Dil of darkness," hy exploring the darkest
10). 16. gold of Oplnir-The most precious (Note 22. 24; P.salm 4.5. 9). onyx—(Genesis 2. 12.) More valued formerly than now. The term is Greek, meaning thumb nail, from some resemblance in colour. The Arabic denotes, of two colours, white preponderating. 17. crystal—Or el.se fficu*.
If then known, very costly. From a root, to be transparent, jewels—Rather, vessels. . 18. Red coral (Ezeklel
27 10. 18. pvarls—Lit., wliat is frozen. Probably orystal;
Job Bcmoanelh himself of his JOB XXIX. Former Prosperity and Honour.
I went out of my house, in the country (see ch. 1., prologue) to the gate (ascending), np to the city (which was on elevated ground), aud when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market-place. The market-place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylrea of the city, such as
and I). 17 will then be glass, rubles—Umbreit translates
poarls (see Lamentations -1. 1; Proverbs 3. loj. Tlie IJrim and Thuniniini, the means of consulting God by the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplnle, " tlie stones
of the sanctuary" (Lamentations 4. 1), liave their counter-
is found in the remains of Nineveh and Persepolis (Isaiah
part in this chapter; the precious stones symbolizing the "light" and "perfection" of the Divine wisdom. 19. Etiiiopia—CWi in the Hebrew. Kitlier Ktliiopia, or the
59. U; Psalm 5.5. 11; 127.5). 8. liid—NotfiV. Rather, Stepped backwards, reverentially. 'J'he aged, who were already seated, arose and remained standing (^Hebrew) until Job seated him.self. Oriental manners. 9. (Ch. 4. 2; note 21.
soutli of Arabia, near the Tigris, ao. Verse 12 repeated
witli great foi-(te. ai. None can tell whence or where, seeing
5.) " Refrained," stopped in the middle of their speech. 10. Margin, voice—hid, i. e., h usiied (Ezekiel 3. 20). " Tongue cleaved," iSx., ?'. e., awed by my presence, the emirs or sheicks were silent. 11. blessed—Extolled my virtues (Proverbs 31. 28). Omit me after "heard;" whoever fieard
it, &c. fowls—The gift of divination was assigned by the heathen especially to birds. Their rapid fliglit lieavenwards and keen siglit originated the superstition. Job may allude to it, Not even the boasted divination of birds has an insight into it (Ecclesiastes 10. 20). But it may merely mean, as v. 7, It escapes the eye of tlie most keen-
of me (in general, not in the market-place, 7-10) praised me. gave witness—to my honourable character. Image from a court of justice (Luke 4.22). "The eye" i. e., face
Kiglited bird, as—t. e., the al)odes of destrvclion and of the
itead. " Death" put for Sheol (ch. 30. 23 ; 26. (i. Note ; Psal
H. 13). We Have (only) luearil—The report of her. We have not seen her. In the land of the living (f. 13) the workings of Wisdom are seen, though not herself. In the regions of tlie dead she is only Jieard of, her actings on nature nofbeing seen (Ecclesiastes 0. 10). !43. God hath, and is Himself wisdom, a*. "Seeth (all that is) under,"
to face; antithesis to " ear"—t. e.,cfpor< o/ me. 13-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (r. 11), his helping the atHicted (Psalm 72. 12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate, The fatherless who had none to help him. 13. So far was
I from sending " widows" away empt,y (ch. 22. 9). readyto perlsU—(Proverbs 31. 6.) 14. (Isaiah 01. 10; 1 Chronicles
<Sc. 25. God has adjusted the weight of the winds, so seemingly imponderable, lest, if too weighty, or too light, injury should be caused. He measureth out the waters,
12. IS.) Margin, judgment— Justice, diadem — Tiara. Rather, turban, liead-dress. It and the full flowing outer mantle or "robe," are the prominent characteristics of an Oriental's grandee or high priest dress (Zechariah 3.
fixing their bounds, with wisdom as His counsellor (Proverbs 8. 27-31; Isaiah 40. 12). ao. The decree regulating at what time and place, and in what quantity, the rain should fall, away—Through the parted clouds (eh. 3S. 2">; Zechariah 10. 1). a7. vleclare—Manifest her, viz., in His works (Psalm 19. 1, 2). So tlie approval bestowed by the Creator on His works (Genesis 1. 10, 31) ; cf. the " rejoicing"
5i. So Job's righteousness especially characterized him. 15. Lit., the blind (Deuteronomy 27. IS); lame {.2 Samuel 9.
13); fig., also the spiritual support which the more enlightened gives to those less so (eli. 4. 3; Hebrews 12. 13; Numbers 10.31). 10. So far was I from "breaking the arms of the fatherless," as Eliphaz asserts (ch. 22. 9), I was a "father" to such. tUe cause wliicli I knew not—Rather —of him irliom I kncw'not, the stranger (Proverbs 29. 7 [Umbkeit]; contrast Luke 18. 1, &c.). Applicable to almsgiving (Psalm 41. 1); but here pvimarlly. Judicial co)iseientiousness
of wisdom at the same (Proverbs 8.30; which Umbkkit
translates, "I was the skilful artificer by his side," 31). preitared—Not created, for wisdom is from everlasting (Proverbs 8.); but " established" lier as Governor of the world, searched out— Examined her works to see, whether she was adequate to the task of g(iverning the world. [Mauker.] 28. Rather, Sut unto man, &c.. My wisdom is that whereby all things are governed ; Thij wisdom is \r\ fearing God and .'shunning evil, aiul in feeling assured that my wisdom always acts aright, though thou dost not understand the principle whieh regulates it;
(ch. 31. 13). 17. Image from combating with wild beasts
(ch. 4. 11; Psalm 3. 7). So compassionate was Job to the oppressed, so terrible to the oppressor! jaws—Job broke
his power, so that he could do no more hurt, and tore Irom him tlie spoil, whicii he had torn from others.
' 18. 1 said —In my heart ( Psalm 30. C). in—Rather, " With my nest ;"
as the second clause refers to long life. Instead of my family dying before me, as now, I shall live so long as to die with them: proverbial for long life. Job did realize his hope (ch. 42. l(i). However, In. the bosom of my fam-
ex. gr., in atUicting the godly (John 7. 17.) The friends, therefore, as not comprehending the Divine Wi.sdom, should not infer Job's guilt from liis sutl'erlngs. Here alone in Job the name of God, "Adonai," occurs. Lord or master, often applied to Messiah in Old Testament. Appropriately here, in speaking of the Word or Wisdom, by whom the world was made (Proverbs 8.; John 1.; Ecclesiasticus 21).
ily, gives a good sense (Numbers 24. 21 ; Obadiah 4). Use " neat" for a secure dwelling, sand—(Genesis '22. 17; Habakkuk 1. 9). Hut LXX., and Vulgate, and Jewish interpret-
ers, favour the translation, "I lie phainix bird." "Nest" in the paralhd clause sujjports the reference to a bird. " Sand" for multitude, applies to men, rather than U) years. The myth was, tl'iat the plueiiix sprang from a nest of myrrh, made by his fallier before death, and that lie then cauH^ from Arabia (JoJ(',v country) to Ileliopolis (1 he city of the Sun) In Egypt, once In every 500 years, and there burnt Ills father. [Herodotus, 2. 7.'J.] Modern research has sliown that this was the Egyptian mode of representing liii-roglyphically a particular chronological era or cy-
CHAPTER XXIX,
Ver. 1-2.5. 1. Job pauses for a rep.y. None being made, he proceeds to illustrate the mysti'riousness of God's dealings, as set forth (ch. 28.) by his own case. a. preserved iiie—From calamity. 3. candle—When His favour shone on mo (note 18. 6; Psalm 18. 28). darkiu ss—By His safeguard I passed secure through dangers. I'erliaps alluding to the lights carrio<l before caravans in nightly travels through deserts. [Noyks.] 4. youtU—J.,it.,antnmn;, the time of the ripe fruits of my prosperity. Applied to youth, as the Orientalists began their year willi autumn, the most temperate season in the East, secret—When the intimate friendship of God rested on my tent (Proverbs 3.32; Psalm31.20; Genesis 18. 17 ; John 15. 15). The Hebrew often means a divan for dellbercdion. G. ltult<'r— Bather, cream, lit., thick milk. WlKMever I turneil niy Bteps the richest milk and oil flowed in to mo abundantly. Image from pastoral life. Literal washing of the feet in milk is not meant, as the second clause shows; Margin, with me, i.e., near my path, wherev<r I walked (Deuteronomy 32. 1.'!). Olives amidst 7v«!A-.v yl(^ld the best oil. Oil In tlie East Is used for food, light, anointing, and medleUie. '7-tU. The great Influence Job had over young and old, aud noblemen, tlirongli . . . slreet-Rather, When 332
cle. The death and revival every 500 .years, and the reference tothesKH, Implies such a grand cycle commencing afresh from the same point, in relation to the sun from which the previous one started. Job probably refers to
this. 19. Lit., opened to the waters. Opposed to ch. 18. 16. ^'ig()rous health. 20. My ri-nown, like my bodily health, was continually fresh, bow— Metaphor from war, for, My strength, whleh gains me " renown." was ever reiu'wed (Ji'remiah 49. 35). !41. Job reverts witli peculiar pleasure to his former dignity In assemblies (r. 7-10). 'l.i. itot afjalu— Did not contradict me. dropped— .Vftcclcd their minils, as the genial rain does the soil on which it genlly drops (Amos 7.10; I>eulerononiy 32.2; Song 4.11). '^'.i. Image of u. '22 continued. They waited for m.v salutary counsel, as the dry soil does for the refreshing ralu. opened . , . mnnWt— I'anlcd for; Orii lital ima};c iruulni
Job'a Honour is Turned JOB XXX. into Extreme Contempt.
119. 131). The "early rain" is in autumn and onwards,
sprinkled here and there. Lit., poured out, graphically picturing their disorderly mode of encampment, lying up and down behind the thorn-bushes, nettles— Or brambles. [Umbreit.] 8. fools— i.e., the impious and abandoned (1 Samuel 25.25). base—Nameless, low-born rabble, viler than, &c. — Rather, they were driven or beaten out of the land. The Horites in Mount Seir (Genesis
wliile the seed is being sown. The "latter rain" is in Alareh, and brings forward the harvest, wliich ripens in
lilay or June. Between the early and latter rains, some rain falls, but not in such quantities as those rains. Between March and October no rain falls (Deuteronomy 11.
14; Janieso. 7). 34. Wlien I relaxed from iny wonted gravity (a virtue much esteemed in the East) and smiled, they could hardly credit it, and yet, notwithstanding my condescension, they did not cast aside reverence for my
14. 6, with which cf. Genesis 36. 20, 21 ; Deuteronomy 2. 12, 22) were probably the aborigines, driven out by the tribe to which Job's ancestors belonged; their name mcana troglodytas, or dwellers in caves. To these Job alludes here {v. 1-8, and Genesis 24. 4-8, which cf. together). 0. (Ch,
graKity. But the parallelism is better in Umbueit's translation, "I smiled kindly on those who trusted not,"
i.e., in times of danger I cheered tliose in despondency. And tliey could not cast down (by their despondency) my
17. 6.) Strikingly similar to tiie derision Jesus Clirist underwent (Lamentations 3.14; Psalm 09. 12). Here Job returning to the sentiment in v. 1. It is to such I am become a song of "derision." 10. in my face— Rather, refrain not to spit in deliberate contempt before my face. To spit at all in pi-esence of another is thought in the East insulting, much more wlien done to mark "abhorrence." Cf. the furtlier insult to Jesus Christ (Isaiah 50. 6; Matthew 26.67). 11. He, i.e., God; antithetical to Ihey, English Version,heve follows the marginal reading (Keki).
serenity of countenance" (flowing from trust in God) (Proverbs lU. 15; Psalm 101. 15). The opposite phrase (Genesis 4.
5, Gi. " Gravity" cannot well be meant by " light of countenance." 35. I cUose . . . tUeir way—i. e., I willingly went up to their assembly (from my country residence,
f. 7). ill . . . army—As a king supreme in the midst of
his army, comfortetli . . . monriicrs—Here again Job unconsciously foreshadows Jesus Christ (Isaiah 61. 2. 3). Job's aflaictious, as those of Jesus Christ, were fitting him
"jlii' cord," imiijge from a bow unstrung; opposed to ch.
29. 20. The text (Chetib), " His cord" or " reins" is better; "yea, each lets loose his reins." [Umbreit.] 12. youth —Rather, a (low) brood. To rise on the right hand is to accuse, as that was the position of the accuser in court (Zechariah 3. 1 ; Psalm 109. 6). push . . . feet—Jostle me out of the way (ch. 24.4). ways of—t. e., their ways of
for the office hereafter (Isaiah 50. 4; Hebrews 2. 18).