1Job excuseth his desire of death by representing the extreme restlessness of his condition: 17he expostulateth with God for so severely visiting him.
1IS there not an 1appointed time to man upon earth? are not 2his days also like the days of an hireling?
1 The Hebrew word, here used, occurs frequently in the signification of fight or combat or host, which is either temporal, Num. 1:3, etc., or ecclesiastical, as Num. 4:3, etc., or spiritual, as in 2 Cor. 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:18. Other, appointed time.
2 Understand the time of his life, which here is compared to the days of an hireling, or day-laborer, because the same is set and sure, short and full of labor and toil, yet followed by some rest; for the day-laborer, having wrought hard all day, rests at night. Hence Job will conclude that seeing the condition of man’s life is such, he ought not to be plagued so grievously, but be allowed some rest and respite, especially, if he has truly feared and served the Lord his God.
2As 3a servant earnestly 4desireth the 5shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the 6reward of his work:
3 Namely, who is wearied by the labor of the day.
4 Or, hankereth, that is, longs and desires earnestly. Also Job 36:20.
5 Understand the going down of the sun and the taking of rest by night. Compare Psalm 102:11; 109:23.
6 Hebr. his work, that is, the wages of his work. Compare Lev. 19:13; Jer. 22:13.
3So am I 7made to possess 8months of 9vanity, and wearisome nights 10are appointed to me.
7 He wants to say that his toil and suffering were more grievous than that of the servant and day-laborer; for these had some rest at the end of their labor and in the night; whereas his pains continued upon him the nights also.
8 Hebr. I am made to inherit for myself months of vanity. By this it appears that Job continued for some months in this distress. Compare Job 29:2.
9 That is, which were very empty, vain, toilsome and tedious to me. Compare verse 16; Job 15:31.
10 Hebr. have appointed to me. See Job 4 on verse 19.
4When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night 11be gone? and I 12am full 13of tossings to and fro unto the 14dawning of the day.
11 Or thus: When shall the evening be measured out? That is, When shall it be ended? By the evening is here understood the night, which is so called because it begins with the evening, Gen. 1:5.
12To be full of some evil, is to be overburdened with it, of which one does not have power anymore. See Job 10:15; 14:1; Psalm 88:3; 123:3, 4; Prov. 1:31; 28:19; Lam. 3:15; Hab. 2:16.
13 That is, myself turning and tossing about in bed.
14 Namely, of the morning or day break, that is, when it is between dark and dawn early in the morning. Thus the Hebrew word may likewise be taken in 1 Sam. 30:17; Psalm 119:147. Of the evening twilight see 2 Kings 7:5, and the annotation.
5My flesh is clothed with 15worms and 16clods 17of dust; my skin is 18broken, and become 19loathsome.
15 Namely, by reason of the putrefying sores, which are upon my body, out of whose matter and blood there came forth worms.
16 Understand the scabs, which were scratched off from his boils. Others understand clods of earth, which cleaved to his body because he sat or lay upon the earth.
17 That is (as some do understand), of the body; which is called thus in Eccl. 12:7, because the original is taken out of the dust of the earth, Gen. 2:7.
18 By reason of the boils, namely, which tear and open the skin of the body.
19 Other, molten, that is, running with pus and filthy matter.
620My days are 21swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent 22without hope.
20 Namely, of my life.
21 Thus the word is taken at Job 9:25; Isa. 5:26; 18:2; Jer. 2:23.
22 Hebr. with not hope, or, with the end of hope, that is, that the hope of recovering the same does cease, and is at an end.
7 O 23remember that my life is 24wind:a mine eye shall no more see 25good.
23 Job turns his speech to God, of Whom he desires, because our life is of itself very short and wretched, that He would be pleased at least for the time he had yet remaining to grant him His temporal blessing, the which could only here be enjoyed.
24 That is, very vain, unsteady and swiftly passing away and vanishing. See Job 6 on verse 26.
a Job 8:9; 14:1, 2, 3; 16:22; Psalm 90:5, 6, 9; 102:11; 103:15; 144:4; Isa. 40:6; James 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24.
25 Namely, of this temporal life. To see the good is to enjoy or to obtain the same. Also Job 9:25; Psalm 128:5; Eccl. 5:17. In the same sense one is said to see the rest, Gen. 49:15; to see the light, Job 33:28; to see life, John 3:36; to see good days, 1 Peter 3:10, etc.
8The eye of him that hath seen 26me shall see me 27no more: 28thine eyes are upon me, and I am 29not.
26 Namely, here on earth. Other, the eye of the sight, that is, he who is sharp-sighted.
27 Namely, when I from here shall be separated by death.
28 Namely, to do me good, yet nevertheless I shall not be here upon the earth to enjoy Thy benefits as well bodily as spiritually. This was the saints’ desire, partly to serve God here yet, and to magnify His Name, partly also by the use of these temporal blessings to assure themselves the more of the love of God and the everlasting goods. See Psalm 6:5; 88:10, 11, 12; 122:1, 2; 128:5.
29 Namely, in this life. See Job 3 on verse 16.
9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the 30grave shall come 31up no more.
30 See the signification of the Hebrew word sheol Gen. 37:35, and the annotation there.
31 Namely, into this transitory world; for, that Job did firmly believe the resurrection from the dead, appears in Job 19:25, 26, 27.
10He shall return no more to his house, neither shall 32his place know him any more.
32 That is, his friends, fellow citizens and acquaintances, dwelling in his house, city and country. Thus the word place is taken for those who are in it, and so likewise Job 8:18; 20:9; Psalm 37:10. In like manner are paths and ways taken for those who walk and travel on the same Job 6:19.
1133Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain 34in the bitterness of my soul.
33 The sense is: Seeing that the life of man in general is full of vanity and wretchedness, and I also, besides that, do find myself particularly in this extraordinary affliction, being bereft of all temporal welfare and comfort, I must at least unburden my heavy mind by the tongue.
34 That is, in great grief and anguish of heart. See 2 Kings 4 on verse 27.
12Am I a sea, or a 35whale, that thou settest a 36watch over me?
35 See of whose strength and power Job 41.
36 Namely, by this great suffering which surrounds me from all sides, and torments my mind day and night; meaning thereby, that it seemed God sought thus to bridle him from doing harm to any; even as if he were some sea or sea monster, which by the dunes and cliffs and depths must be kept within their bounds that they may do no harm to men.
1337When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;
37 Namely, within myself, that is, when I think. See Gen. 20 on verse 11.
14Then thou scarest me with 38dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
38 Namely, terrible ones, such as God causes to fall upon melancholy spirits and heavy dejected persons, either through the nature of their disease, corrupting the fancy of man, or, also through Satan’s means, who, watching his opportunity, does by the advantage of melancholy humors, which he finds in man, cause strange visions to appear in him.
15So that my soul chooseth 39strangling, and death rather 40than my life.
39 Understand a violent and sudden death, namely, by this continual torment.
40 That is, than the life of my body. He wants to say: that he had rather die than be troubled longer with such rotten, stinking and purulent discharging bones. And he makes special mention of his bones, to show that his pain was entered into his very innermost parts of his body. Bones being taken for the strength, the life, and inmost vigor of the body, Prov. 14:30; 17:22; Isa. 38:13.
16 I 41loathe it; I would not live alway: let 42me alone; for myb days are 43vanity.
41 Namely, my bones.
42 Namely, thus to afflict and to trouble me.
b Psalm 62:9; 144:4.
43 Or, as a wind, as verse 7. The life of man is called vanity, not only for being short and fading suddenly, Job 15 on verse 31, but also in regard that, it being so full of trouble, turmoil and vexation, a man cannot find in it the true good, that could make him perfectly happy. Compare verse 3 and the annotation.
17Whatcis man, 44that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
c Psalm 8:4; 144:3; Heb. 2:6.
44 That is, that Thou wouldest take notice of him, who is so wretched and vile as I am at this moment, and count him worthy to trouble Thyself about him. Compare this manner of speaking with the annotation at Job 1 on verse 8.
18And that thou shouldest 45visit him every 46morning, and 47try him 48every moment?
45 Namely, with chastisements and punishments. See Gen. 21 on verse 1.
46 This he chiefly mentions to show: 1. that God visits us with special care and solicitousness; compare Lam. 3:23; 2. that God does not spare us, even when we are most at labor; 3. that not only the middle and end, but the very beginning also of our lives and labors are subject to much trouble and suffering, Psalm 88:15; 90:9.
47 How God tries His children, see Gen. 22 on verse 1.
48 That is, very frequently, all along, unawares, suddenly.
19How long 49wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down 50my spittle?
49 Namely, that Thou wouldest make an end of afflicting me in this manner.
50 This is an usual phrase, implying a very short time, such as is the fetching of one’s breath; as if he said: Forbear at least but a moment to afflict me, that I may catch my breath. Compare Job 9:18.
20I have 51sinned; what shall I do unto 52thee, O thou 53preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a 54mark against thee, so that I am 55a burden to myself?
51 Understand any certain sin unknown to him, for which this suffering may have come upon him.
52 Namely, to be reconciled and appeased with Thee, in order that I may come out of this affliction.
53 That is, Who watches very closely what men are doing; or, Who is also the Keeper of their life, since now Thou seemest ready to destroy my life.
54 Or, counter-mark, or target or butt, against which Thou shootest Thine arrows. Compare Job 16:12. The Hebrew word properly signifies what one runs against to spoil very violently, or to break, or to overthrow it.
55 Namely, by all the suffering which Thou doest lay upon me so fearfully in and on my body, that it is an unbearable burden to me.
2156And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take 57away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and 58thou shalt seek me 59in the morning, but I shall 60not be.
56 He wants to say: If the pretense of my friends is true that I am plagued thus by reason of my sins (although my conscience witnesses otherwise), why doest Thou not forgive me that sin, that I may not be vexed longer thus? For I am now ready to die, so that seeking me while here to do me good, Thou shalt not find me.
57 Hebr. pass by, pass over. See 2 Sam. 12 on verse 13.
58 Compare verse 8, and see the annotations.
59 Or, early. The Hebrew word properly signifies to seek in the morning; but because the things which are done early in the morning are commonly performed with more vigor, the phrase here is taken for all manner of accurate and diligent searching. See Job 8:5; Psalm 63:1; Prov. 7:15.
60 See Job 3 on verse 16.