Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 28 – Chapter 29
CHAP. XXVIII.
Vers. 1. A Vein] Or, a mine.
a vein for the silver] His purpose is to declare, that man may attain in this world to divers secrets of nature, but is never able to comprehend the wisdom of God.
V. 2. earth] Or, dust.
stone] Or, ore.
V. 3. He setteth an end to darknesse, and searcheth out all perfection] Or, an end is set to darknesse, and all perfection is searched out
He setteth an end to darknesse] Man can carry light into the bowels of the earth, and finde out metals, that else would have lain hid for ever.
V. 4. The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant] Water unexpected rise in mine-pits to hinder mens work, but they by art carry them away.
V. 5. out of it cometh bread] That is, corn: and underneath is brimstone, or cole, which easily conceiveth fire.
bread] Or, bread-corn, Isai. 28. 28.
V. 6. The stones of it are the place of saphirs] There are metals under the earth, which neither fowls nor beasts can come at.
dust of gold] Or, gold-ore.
V. 7. which the vultures eye hath not seen] Birds of prey that have quick eyes, and can fly to places inaccessible, cannot come at these metals, though they search all co…ners for food.
V. 9. He putteth forth his hand upon the rock] Metall-men can work in stony places.
r…k] Or, flint.
he overturneth the mountains by the roots] It may be read thus. He turneth it up from the roots of the mountains: That is, he can dig under mountains to bring forth gold.
V. 10. He cutteth out rivers among the rocks] He brings waters thorow mountains to move his engines, or wash his metals.
his eye seeth every precious thing] He findes out the choicest stones, whereof are made the richest jewels.
V. 11. He bindeth the floods from over flowing] He can stop the waters under ground, while he brings forth his minerals.
from overflowing] Heb. from weeping.
V. 12. But where shall wisdom be found?] Man may bring metals to light, but he cannot finde out the reasons of Gods proceeding, in prospering wicked men, and afflicting good… or, attain to spirituall wisdom in the wayes of God, Rom. 11. 33, 34.
V. 13. Man knoweth not the price thereof] No man can get it for any price: or, no man knoweth the value of it.
V. 14. The depth saith] Rom. 11. 33, 34.
V. 15. It cannot be gotten for gold] Heb. fine gold shall not be given for it. Prov. 3. 13, 14. and 8. 11, 19. and 16. 16.
V. 16. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir] Heb. laid on the ground, as goods were wont to be, when men lived by exchange, and are yet in some parts, where they lay a heap of salt against a heap of other things to be changed for it, that buyer and seller may see they be of equall worth, Lam. 4. 2.
V. 17. The gold and the crystall cannot equall it] Heb. Be set in order against it. See notes on vers. 16.
jewels of fine gold] Or, vessel of fine gold.
V. 18. No mention shall be made of corall] They are not worthy to be named in comparison of wisdom.
corall] Or, Ramoth.
above rubies] Precious stones of red colour, as appears, Lam. 4. 7.
V. 20. Whence then cometh wisdom?] Vers. 12.
V. 21. Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living] Seeing men that live here below cannot dig to it, nor fowls fly so high.
air] Or, heaven.
V. 22. Destruction and death say] Seeing destruction and death have onelyonly heard of it, but cannot attain to it: That is, neither the living, nor the dead, have the full knowledge of it.
V. 23. God understandeth the way thereof] The proceedings and intentions, and all the passages of it.
he knoweth the place thereof] He hath it with him, and need not search for the place of it, vers. 20.
V. 24. For he looketh to the ends of the earth] Zech. 4. 10. Prov. 15. 3. He must needs know where it is, that sees all things.
V. 25. To make the weight for the windes] To send winde and rain at his pleasure, as much as he will, as if he weighed them out.
V. 26. made a decree] Or, makes a bound.
for the rain] Amos 4. 7.
V. 27. Then did he see it] He can as easily guide mens affairs, as the tempests and seasons.
did] Or, doth.
declare it] Or, number it.
prepared] Or, prepareth.
searched] Or, searcheth.
V. 28. And] Or, But.
Behold, the fear of the Lord] God keeps that wisdom to himself, whereby he guides mens affairs, but hath revealed another wisdom to men in his commandments to guide them, Deut. 29. 29.
the fear of the Lord] Psal. 111. 10. Prov. 1. 7. and 9. 10.
that is wisdom] The way to true and saving wisdom: or, the fruit of it.
CHAP. XXIX.
Vers. 1. COntinued] Heb. added to take up.
V. 3. When his candle shined upon my head] When I was in prosperity, Psal. 132. 17.
candle] Or, lamp.
light] Psal. 18. 28.
I walked through darknesse] When I could bear common calamities, encouraged by the comforts left me.
V. 4. when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle] When Gods providence made all I had to prosper.
V. 6. When I washed my steps with butter] By these similitudes, he declares the prosperitie that he was in. He could have washed his feet in butter, he had so much, Gen. 49. 11. Job 20. 7. Psal. 81. 16.
me out] Heb. with me.
V. 7. When I went out to the gate] To the place of judgement, which was by the gate of the city. Job was a magistrate, Ruth. 4. 1. Jere. 38. 7.
V. 8. and hid themselves] For reverence to me.
and stood up] Stood up till I was gone past them, Levit. 19. 32.
V. 9. and laid their hand on their mouth] Held their peace to hear me speak, chap. 21. 5. Prov. 30. 32. So they acknowledged my wisdom.
V. 10. The nobles held their peace] Heb. the voice of the nobles was hid. Because of my wisdom, dignitie and beneficence, Luke 11. 27.
V. 11. then it blessed me] All that heard me, approved and praised me.
it gave witnesse to me] Testifying that I did good justice.
V. 13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish, came upon me] I delivered him that was in distresse, and he prayed God to blesse me.
V. 14. I put on righteousnesse] Psal. 132. 9, 16.
my judgement was as a robe] I delighted to do justice, as others did to wear costly apparell.
V. 15. I was eyes to the blinde] I gave counsell to the ignorant, and means to the poor.
V. 16. the cause which I knew not] Deut. 13. 14. Prov. 25. 2.
V. 17. I brake the jaws of the wicked] I hindered great men from oppressing others, as he that strikes out the teeth of a wilde beast. I kept them from hurting some, and rescued others, Psal. 3. 7. and 58. 6.
the jaws] Heb. the jaw-teeth, or, the grinders.
pluckt] Heb. cast.
out of his teeth] 1 Sam. 17. 35. Am. 3. 12.
V. 18. Then I said] Psal. 30. 6.
I shall die in my nest] At home in my bed, without trouble, and unquietnesse in old age. A metaphor taken from birds, Psal. 104. 12, 17.
V. 19. spread] Heb. opened.
by the waters] My felicitie did encrease as a tree growing by the waters, Psal. 1. 3. Jere. 17. 8.
V. 20. fresh] Heb. new.
my bowe was renewed in my hand] My strength grew more and more daily, Gen. 49. 24.
renewed] Heb. changed.
V. 21. and waited] Till I had done speaking, and agreeing thereunto.
V. 22. they spake not again] Either to adde to, or contradict my sentence.
my speech dropped upon them] Like a pleasing rain falling on a dry ground: my words delighted them, Deut. 32. 2.
V. 23. as for the rain] As the dry earth waiteth for the rain, Psal. 63. 1. and 65. 10.
they opened their mouth wide] As the earth gapeth in a drought, Prov. 30. 16.
for the latter rain] The latter rain was rare, but desirable to ripen the corn: or, after harvest to bring up the latter crop, Jere. 5. 24. Deut. 11. 14.
V. 24. they beleeved it not] They thought a man of my gravitie would not be so familiar with them.
the light of my countenance they cast not down] My familiaritie did not cause then to grieve, anger, or contemn me.
V. 25. I chose out their way] I had them at command.
and sat chief] I was both loved and feared by them.
as] Or, and as.
that comforteth the mourners] Alluding to the manner of those that resorted to their friends in times of heavinesse, to comfort them, chap. 2. 11. and 42. 11.