Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 31 – Chapter 32
CHAP. XXXI.
Vers. 1. I made a covenant with mine eyes] To keep them from all wanton looks.
V. 2. what portion of God is there from above?] For such as are wanton. Or, what portion for me? I fare as bad as if I had been wanton.
V. 3. a strange punishment] Such punishments as men inflict upon strangers, Obad. v. 12. or, an extraordinary judgement from God, Isai. 28. 21.
V. 4. Doth not he see my ways] 2 Chron. 16. 9. Chap. 34. 21. Prov. 5. 21. and 15. 3. Seeing great plagues are for the wicked, and God knows I am none, why doth he deal so hardly with me?
V. 5. If I have walked with vanitie, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit] The form of an oath; If I have done so, then let me perish, chap. 1. 11. Or read it, I have not walked with vanitie, nor my foot hasted to deceit. Or, let the sixth verse be as a parenthesis, and the speech continued, as Psal. 7. 4, 5.
V. 6. Let me be weighed in an even balance] Heb. Let him weigh me in balances of justice.
V. 7. my step hath turned out of the way] Chap. 23. 11.
mine heart walked after mine eyes] To accomplish the lust of mine eyes, Ezek. 6. 9. and 20. 24. Matth. 5. 28. Eccles. 11. 9.
V. 8. let another eat] According to the curse of the law, Deut. 28. 33.
V. 10. let my wife grinde unto another] Let her be abused by others; or, let her be a slave to grinde for them, Judg. 16. 21. Lam. 5. 13.
V. 11. iniquitie to be punished by the judges] Vers. 28.
by the judges] A capitall crime, to be punished with death, Gen. 38. 24. Levit. 20. 10. Deut. 22. 22.
V. 12. fire that consumeth] Prov. 6. 27.
that consumeth to destruction] Though man neglect to punish adulterers, yet Gods wrath will consume them.
V. 13. when they contended with me] When they complained that they were ill intreated by me.
V. 14. When God riseth up?] To judge me for my sins, or, for oppressing my inferiours, Col. 4. 1.
V. 15. Did not he that made me in the womb, make him?] He knew that God would punish him for oppressing his servant, because he is Gods creature, as well as he himself, chap. 34. 19. Prov. 14. 31. and 17. 5. Mal. 2. 10.
did not one fashion us in the womb?] Or, did he not fashion us in one womb?
V. 16. or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail] By long waiting for the fulfilling of her request, Psal. 119. 123.
V. 18. as with a father] He nourished the fatherlesse, and maintained the widows cause.
her] That is, the widow.
V. 19. If I have seen any perish for want of clothing] If I did but see one naked, I gave him clothing, though he did not ask me, Luk. 6. 30. Matth. 25. 36.
V. 20. blessed me] Deut. 24. 13.
V. 21. If I have lift up my hand against the fatherlesse] To smite, oppresse, or do him injury, Isai. 58. 4.
when I saw my help in the gate] When others would have assisted me in oppressing him.
V. 22. Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder-blade] Let me rot, and fall in pieces.
the bone▪] Or, the chanell-bone.
V. 23. For destruction from God was a terrour to me] I refrained not from sinning because I feared men, but for fear of God, Gen. 39. 9. and 42. 18. Neh. 5. 15.
V. 24. hope] Psal. 49. 6. and 52. 7. and 62. 10.
V. 25. If I rejoiced because my wealth was great] If I made riches my chief joy, Luk. 12. 19. and 16. 19, Jam. 5. 5.
gotten much] Heb. found much.
V. 26. If I beheld the sun when it shined] If I was proud of my worldly prosperity, which is meant by the shining of the sun, and brightnesse of the moon. Some understand it of idolizing those creatures.
the sun] Heb. the light.
in brightnesse] Heb. bright.
V. 27. or my mouth hath kissed my hand] Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth. If mine own doings dotingly delighted me: or, if I have adored those creatures, as this rite implyes, Hos. 13. 2.
V. 28. This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge] Verse 11.
I should have denied the God that is above] By putting confidence in any thing but him alone.
my mouth] Heb. my palate.
V. 31. If the men of my tabernacle said not] My servants moved me to be revenged of mine enemy, yet did I never wish him hurt.
V. 32. to the traveller] Or, to the way.
V. 33. as Adam] Or, after the manner of men.
Adam] Gen. 3. 12. Hos. 6. 7.
V. 34. Did I fear a great multitude] I did not carry my self like a tyrant, that is afraid to look out of doors: or, was I terrified by any might or multitude from doing right?
V. 35. behold, my desire is, that the Almightie would answer me] Or, behold my signe is, that the Almightie will answer me.
V. 36. and binde it as a crown to me] This book of accusation should be a commendation to me.
V. 37. as a prince would I go neer unto him] With an heroicall and undaunted spirit, as being cleared by my own conscience.
V. 38. If my land crie against me] That I have got it by extortion or oppression, Hab. 2. 11, 12.
complain] Heb. weep.
V. 39. the fruits thereof] Heb. the strength thereof.
without money] Either not paying for the purchase, 1 King. 21. or, not paying the labourers for their work, Jerem. 22. 13. Mal. 3. 5. Jam. 5. 4.
caused the owners thereof to lose their life] Heb. caused the so…l of the owners thereof to expire, or, breathe out.
V. 40. cockle] Or, noisome weeds.
The words of Job are ended] That is, the talk which he had with his three friends; for he spake afterwards to God, chap. 40. 3. and 42. 1.
CHAP. XXXII.
Vers. 1. TO answer] Heb. from answering.
he was righteous in his own eyes] They could not perswade him, but that God dealt too hardly with him.
in his own eyes] Luk. 16. 15. Prov. 30. 12.
V. 2. the buzite] Which came of Buz the son of Nahor Abrahams brother.
of Ram] Or, as the Chaldee paraphrase readeth, Abram: or, Ram for Aram, as Dumah for Edom, Isai. 21. 11.
he justified himself rather then God] By making himself wronged, and charging God with
himself] Heb. his soul.
V. 4. waited till Job had spoken] Heb. expected Job in words.
because they were elder then he] Job and his friends: therefore he stayed till Job and they had done speaking.
elder] Heb. elder for days.
V. 6. young] Heb. few of days.
durst not] Heb. feared.
V. 7. I said, Days should speak] Meaning the ancient, which have experience, chap. 12. 12. and 15. 10.
V. 8. But there is a spirit in man] But I see understanding is a speciall gift of God, coming not from nature nor age, Jer. 5. 5. Eccles. 4. 13.
the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding] Chap. 38. 36. Prov. 2. 6. Eccles. 2. 26. Dan. 1. 17. and 2. 21.
V. 11. reasons] Heb. understandings.
whilest you searched out what to say] Against Job, to prove that his afflictions were according to his sins.
what to say] Heb. words.
V. 13. We have found out wisedom] And flatter your selves, as though you had overcome him.
God thrusteth him down] Chap. 19. 5, 6.
V. 14. directed his words] Or, ordered his words.
neither will I answer him with your speeches] He useth almost the like argument, but to another end, to prove that Job had wronged God, but not that he was an hypocrite: and therefore God never blames Elihu, as he did the rest.
V. 15. they left off speaking] Heb. they removed speeches from themselves.
V. 18. For I am full of matter] I have conceived in my minde great store of reasons.
matter] Heb. words.
the spirit within me] Heb. the spirit of my belly.
the spirit within me constraineth me] Zeal within me urgeth me to speak, as winde in the belly seeks a passage, Jer. 20. 9. Psal. 39. 3.
V. 19. my belly is as wine which hath no vent] My minde is stuft with matter, and must ease it self by speaking.
hath no vent] Heb. is not opened.
V. 20. that I may be refreshed] Heb. that I breathe.
V. 21. Let me not] Do not expect that I should flatter.
accept any mans person] Job had taxed his friends of this before, chap. 13. 7, 8. and 17. 5.
neither let me give flattering titles unto man] I will neither have regard to his riches, credites nor authority, but will speak the very truth, Matth. 22. 16.
V. 22. For I know not] I dare not flatter, I approve it not. So knowing is taken, Psal. 1. 6. or, I cannot flatter, as Jerem. 8. 12.
flattering titles] The Hebrew word signifieth, to hide ones name for honour sake, and give him some other name. He would give no man undue titles.
my Maker would soon take me away] Destroy me by a violent death. Psal. 28. 3.