--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 182 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/182/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 182. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/182/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 182. Job · 25 of 36 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/182/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/182/#p-N [¶0] base--nameless, low-born rabble. [¶1] viler than, &c.--rather, they were driven or beaten out of the land. The Horites in Mount Seir ([Ge 14:6] with which compare [Ge 36:20], ; [De 2:12], 22) were probably the aborigines, driven out by the tribe to which Job's ancestors belonged; their name means troglodytæ, or "dwellers in caves." To these Job alludes here ([Job 30:1-8], and [Ge 24:4-8], which compare together). [¶2] 9. ([Job 17:6]). Strikingly similar to the derision Jesus Christ underwent ([La 3:14]; [Psa 69:12]). Here Job returns to the sentiment in [Job 30:1]. It is to such I am become a song of "derision." [¶3] 10. in my face--rather, refrain not to spit in deliberate contempt before my face. To spit at all in presence of another is thought in the East insulting, much more so when done to mark "abhorrence." Compare the further insult to Jesus Christ ([Is 50:6]; [Mt 26:67]). [¶4] 11. He--that is, "God"; antithetical to "they"; English Version here follows the marginal reading (Keri). [¶5] my cord--image from a bow unstrung; opposed to [Job 29:20]. The text (Chetib), "His cord" or "reins" is better; "yea, each lets loose his reins" [Umbreit]. [¶6] 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 ([Zec 3:1]; [Psa 109:6]). [¶7] push ... feet--jostle me out of the way ([Job 24:4]). [¶8] ways of--that is, their ways of (that is, with a view to my) destruction. Image, as in [Job 19:12], from a besieging army throwing up a way of approach for itself to a city. [¶9] 13. Image of an assailed fortress continued. They tear up the path by which succor might reach me. [¶10] set forward--([Zec 1:15]). [¶11] they have no helper--Arabic proverb for contemptible persons. Yet even such afflict Job. [¶12] 14. waters--(So [2Sa 5:20]). But it is better to retain the image of [Job 30:12], . "They came [upon me] as through a wide breach," namely, made by the besiegers in the wall of a fortress ([Is 30:13]) [Maurer]. [¶13] in the desolation--"Amidst the crash" of falling masonry, or "with a shout like the crash" of, &c. [¶14] 15. they--terrors. [¶15] soul--rather, "my dignity" [Umbreit]. [¶16] welfare--prosperity. [¶17] cloud--([Job 7:9]; [Is 44:22]). [¶18] 16-23. Job's outward calamities affect his mind. [¶19] poured out--in irrepressible complaints ([Psa 42:4]; [Jos 7:5]). [¶20] 24. Expressing Job's faith as to the state after death. Though one must go to the grave, yet He will no more afflict in the ruin of the body (so Hebrew for "grave") there, if one has cried to Him when being destroyed. The "stretching of His hand" to punish after death answers antithetically to the raising "the cry" of prayer in the second clause. Maurer gives another translation which accords with the scope of [Job 30:24-31]; if it be natural for one in affliction to ask aid, why should it be considered (by the friends) wrong in my case? "Nevertheless does not a man in ruin stretch out his hand" (imploring help, [Job 30:20]; [La 1:17])? If one be in his calamity (destruction) is there not therefore a "cry" (for aid)? Thus in the parallelism "cry" answers to "stretch--hand"; "in his calamity," to "in ruin." The negative of the first clause is to be supplied in the second, as in [Job 30:25] ([Job 28:17]). [¶21] 25. May I not be allowed to complain of my calamity, and beg relief, seeing that I myself sympathized with those "in trouble" (literally, "hard of day"; those who had a hard time of it). [¶22] 26. I may be allowed to crave help, seeing that, "when I looked for good (on account of my piety and charity), yet evil," &c. [¶23] light--([Job 22:28]). [¶24] 27. bowels--regarded as the seat of deep feeling ([Is 16:11]). [¶25] boiled--violently heated and agitated. [¶26] prevented--Old English for "unexpectedly came upon" me, "surprised" me. [¶27] 28. mourning--rather, I move about blackened, though not by the sun; that is, whereas many are blackened by the sun, I am, by the heat of God's wrath (so "boiled," [Job 30:27]); the elephantiasis covering me with blackness of skin ([Job 30:30]), as with the garb of mourning ([Jr 14:2]). This striking enigmatic form of Hebrew expression occurs, [Is 29:9]. [¶28] stood up--as an innocent man crying for justice in an assembled court ([Job 30:20]). [¶29] 29. dragons ... owls--rather, "jackals," "ostriches," both of which utter dismal screams ([Mi 1:8]); in which respect, as also in their living amidst solitudes (the emblem of desolation), Job is their brother and companion; that is, resembles them. "Dragon," Hebrew, tannim, usually means the crocodile; so perhaps here, its open jaws lifted towards heaven, and its noise making it seem as if it mourned over its fate [Bochart]. [¶30] 30. upon me--rather, as in [Job 30:17] (see on [Job 30:17]), "my skin is black (and falls away) from me." [¶31] my bones--([Job 19:20]; [Psa 102:5]). [¶32] 31. organ--rather, "pipe" ([Job 21:12]). "My joy is turned into the voice of weeping" ([La 5:15]). These instruments are properly appropriated to joy ([Is 30:29], ), which makes their use now in sorrow the sadder by contrast. ### Chapter 31 [¶34] [Job 31:1-40]. [¶35] 1. Job proceeds to prove that he deserved a better lot. As in the twenty-ninth chapter, he showed his uprightness as an emir, or magistrate in public life, so in this chapter he vindicates his character in private life. [¶36] 1-4. He asserts his guarding against being allured to sin by his senses. [¶37] think--rather, "cast a (lustful) look." He not merely did not so, but put it out of the question by covenanting with his eyes against leading him into temptation ([Pr 6:25]; [Mt 5:28]). [¶38] 5. Job's abstinence from evil deeds. [¶39] vanity--that is, falsehood ([Psa 12:2]). [¶40] 6. Parenthetical. Translate: "Oh, that God would weigh me ... then would He know," &c. [¶41] 7. Connected with [Job 31:6]. [¶42] the way--of God ([Job 23:11]; [Jr 5:5]). A godly life. [¶43] heart ... after ... eyes--if my heart coveted, what my eyes beheld ([Ec 11:9]; [Jos 7:21]). [¶44] hands--([Psa 24:4]).