Job Expounded, Commentary on Job · Chapter 38-42
¶ THE SVMME AND ORDER of the 5. last Chapters of this booke.
HItherto wee hauehave heard Elihu, though somewhat too seuere, yet a necessarie censor, sent before by the prouidence of God, to call Job, who was verie much growne out of patience through the vniust and slaunderous accusations of his friendes, by his graue and wise reasons, from the defence of his owne vprightnesse to more moderation in this behalfe. Him doth almightie God immediatlie followe appearing of a sudden beyond all their exspectations, who prosecuteth the same argument, which was begunne by Elihu, but so, that it doeth moste cleerely appeare, what infinite difference there is betweene the speeches of holy men directed by the spirit of God, and the speech of God him selfe, whether you respect the matter or the wordes. And first of all wee are not to imagine of God in this place, as brought in some poeticall tragedie appearing, as it were, out of an engin deuised for that purpose. For the whole naration testifieth, that this is a true storie of things done indeed, and afterward faithfully recorded & set downe in writing by some holie man being inspired of the holie ghost, whom some of the Iewes affirme to hauehave beene no other, then Moses himselfe. And to speake trueth this history cannot be referred more fitlie and rightly to anie other time, then to that, wherein the Idumaeans flourished, the Israelites liuing in thraldome vnderunder the Egyptians. But wee knowe, that Moses liued fortie yeares among the Madianites, where hee might easilie come to the knowledge of these things, as being not done farre from thence, & it may seeme not vnlikely, that as he wrote his first booke called Genesis by inspiration from God, so likewise this excellent historie. Nay it is manifest, that in those times, God vsed manie waies extraordinarilie to appeare vntounto the fathers, as wee may see in the histories of those times, and long after: neither can it bee doubted, considering the speeches and disputation throughout this wholl booke, but that the true knowledge and worship of God did euen then flourish among the Jdumaeans. And here hee is saide to hauehave spoken out of the storme (for I had rather interpret it so then a whirlewinde) to testifie thereby his heauenlie maiestie, as in the 1. of Sam. Chapter 12. verse 17. whether it were suddenlie raised, while Ellhu was yet speaking, (for hereunto some referre that which Elihu sayeth in the former Chapter, verse 2. Hearken diligentlie vntounto the sound of his voyce, and to the noyse that goeth out of his mouth) or else followed straight vvaie so soone as Elihu had made an ende of his speech, no man thinking of anie such matter. Whereby Iob had that graunted to him, vvhichwhich amidst his former discourses hee had so often and so earnestlie vvished and yet durst never hope, that it woulde so come to passe, namely, that he might freely pleade his owne cause in Gods presence before his tribunall seate. But in this place there are many thinges diligently to bee obserued, for as much as hence wee must gather the speciall fruite of this storie. And first of all, we may heere beholde howe wonderfull is the providence of Almightie GOD, both in revealing his owne glorie, by so much the more clearely, by howe much the more Satan, and all Satans adherents eyther wittingly or vnwittingly endeavour to obscure it: as also in excercising, but not forsaking, his children according to his will, which howe so euer it is often vnknowen, yet can it neuer bee vniust: and that which is more, in most mightily deliuering them, when their case seemeth to be desperate and past all hope of recouerie. And farther, I pray you, what equitie and moderation doeth God vse in these his reprehensions. For whereas not one of them but had offended in the former disputation: Iob by standing too much vponupon the defence of his owne righteousnesse, euen in the sight and presence of GOD: his friendes, in blaming Iobs former life without any iust cause, and in that they deemed amisse of the way and meanes, howe to discerne the hatred or louelove of God towardes men, which God him selfe doeth in expresse wordes declare in the two and fortieth Chapter, verse seventh; whereas, I say, they had all of them offended, howe mildely, howe gentlie, and with what fatherlie affection doeth he rebuke Job: his friendes he taketh vp somewhat more roundlie, but hee receiveth them all againe into his favour? But peradventure you will saye, that he let Elihu goe without reprooving him at all, who neverthelesse had misconstrued diuers of Iobs speeches, and tooke them in a farre other sense, then Jobs meaning was, treading also, as it were, in the same steppes, in so much that he may seeme to hauehave altogether allowed of his accusation. To this I answere, he was foresent of God, who setting before Iobs eyes that great and incomprehensible maiestie of God, might thereby asswage his intemperate moode, which without some sharpe remedie woulde not hauehave relented. Notwithstanding, this I say, that Elihu his speech was so farre foorth approoved of God, as he had iustly found fault with Iob & his friendes, & had rightly and truely reasoned against them, as touching the maiestie of God, but the manner of his accusation and reproofe was not allowed. For whereas Elihu had accused Job, not onelyonly for being bolde to enter into discourse of Gods gouernment, but euen as guiltie of blasphemie and impietie, and on the other side had so coldely and sparingly reprooved his friendes: yea, and had in some sort seemed to agree with them, that Iob was thus punished, for that God was angrie and highly displeased with him: God contrariwise doeth reprehende Iob rather with graue then bitter wordes, and as one, who had rather spoken vnadvisedy then wickedly: but he findeth greater fault with his friendes, not onelyonly as iudging fooolishly, but also perversly of the iudgements of God: and for that, as touching Iob, (whome he absolveth, being by them wrongfully condemned) they had spoken so confidently against the trueth, and falsely charged him with those crimes which he had neuer committed: neither is he reconciled vntounto them but by Jobs meanes, making intercession for them. But why is nothing at all saide against Elihu? forsooth, both because he had not offended in the chiefe and maine point of all, as concerning Gods iustice, which he most rightly and religiously maintaineth, as also least any newe contention might growe, for making a finall ende whereof, he him selfe had vouchsafed to appeare. Furthermore in this historie, and especially in the conclusion thereof, as in a glasse more cleare then christall, are set out to our viewe, first in God, that singular louelove wherewith he embraceth mankinde, and his vnspeakeable merciemercy towardes them that repent: then in Iob and his friendes, the infirmities euen of the best and wisest men, and that terrible conflict which they hauehave continually within them, as knowledge ioyned with ignorance, wisedome with follie, patience with impatiencie, hope with despaire. courage with cowardlinesse, humilitie with pride, aptnesse and willingnesse to be taught with ostinacie and rebellion: yet Almightie God doeth at no time forsake these his champions, but in the ende doeth most bountifullie crowne his owne giftes in them. Last of all, God him selfe doeth in these foure Chapters lay open the knowledge of true naturall philosophie, together with the chiefe and principall ende thereof, to witte, that in these visible creatures we may behold the invisible thinges of God, so that in this onelyonly respect, if there were nothing else, this booke is to be esteemed as an incomparable treasure, and daily to be read and meditated of vsus. Now as touching these two beastes, the land Behemoth, & the water Leviathan, both which God largely describeth in the 40. & 41. Chapters, those things which are spoken of Behemoth, do so fitly and properly agree to the Elephant, that in my iudgement none needeth to doubt, but that he meaneth this beast and none other: and the Hebrues doe not vnfitly teach, that it is tearmed by the plurall number, as if you would say (beastes) because, being indeed but one, it may for the huge bignesse thereof stande for many. Neither doe J doubt, but that in the 40. chapter, verse 12. by the worde Zanav, which is commonly taken for a tayle, so called, bccause it is a parte sticking out at the backe, is signified not the taile of the elephant, but his large snowte, which beareth the resemblance of another taile, which truely as being proper to the elephant, and as hauing in this beast a most marveilous and necessarie vse, might not in any wise be pretermitted in this description. Nowe that by the Leviathan is not meant that fish which we call a whirlepoole, nor yet any other whale fish, but the Crocodile, that huge and terrible monster of Nilus, (that I may let passe the other partes of his description, and especially his backe beset as it were with little hillockes, being so hard that nothing is able to pearce them, and also the hard plates of his bellie) it is hereby manifest, that among the whalefishes there is not one that beareth scales, nor yet any that hath necke, and onelyonly two, namely, the whirlepoole and that which is called Orca, are armed with teeth. Neither doeth that any whit derogate from the trueth of this my opinion, that in the 2. verse of the 40. Chapter, mention is made of a tongue, which the Crocodiles want. For it is not sayde, that the Leviathan hath a tongue, but it is there denyed, that he can be taken as the fishes, which with the hooke are caught and pulled vp by the tongue or iawes. And doubtlesse to the Idumaeans and people of the countries adioyning, being very farre distant from the deepe sea, but neere vntounto Aegipt, the kingdome whereof at that time flourished, the Elephants and Crocodiles were as well knowen, as these vaste monsters of the Ocean were vnknowen vntounto them. which peradventure could hardly hauehave swomme in the Arabian goulfe.
CHAP. XXXVIII.
1 But the Lord answered Iob out of the storme, and said,
AFter all this, the eternall God, who neuer forsaketh his children being in daunger, thinking that nowe he had long ynough suffred his champion Iob, to wrestle with Satan duplicate page duplicate page and Satans ministers: and also foreseeing, that if Iob and Iobs three friends should take vponupon them to make answere to Elihu, there would growe a newe contention: finally being willing, for the good and benefite of his Church in all ages, to decide this waightie controversie him selfe with his owne mouth: caused a great storme suddenly to arise as a witnesse of his devine Maiestie, and out of the same, first of all he spake vntounto Iob, as touching that wherein he had offended, grauely and earnestly, but yet with a fatherly affection rebuking him after this manner.
2 Who is this that darkeneth (my) counsels without knowledge? (that is, with his ignorance.)
But what manner of man is this, who by howe much the more he searcheth in vaine into the depth of my counsels, neuer making an ende either of his complaints and lamentation, or of maintaining his owne righteousnesse, by so much the more intangleth both him selfe and others, with wordes full of follie and ignorance?
3 Girde vp thy loynes like a man, I pray thee: J will demaund of thee, and declare to me (such thinges as I shall aske thee.)
Goe to therefore, forsomuch as thou wilt needes dispute with me, shewe thy selfe a man, and seeing thou wilt take this course, girde vp thy loynes and come foorth, furnished with the best arguments that thou canst bring, and because thou hast left the choise free to me, my part shall be to demaunde, and thou prepare thy selfe to answere.
4 Where wert thou when I established the earth? tell me (this) if so be thou doest vnderstand (it.)
5 Who limitted the measures thereof, if thou knowe it? or who stretched out the measuring line ouer it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof set? or who laide the corner stone thereof?
4 Where wert thou then, when I vnderlaide the earth as a sure and immooveable foundation to the worlde? tell me this, if thou canst. 5 And also howe I measured out the same, if so be thou knowe this likewise? and whether I vsed thy helpe and industrie, or any others in applying the measuring rule vntounto it? 6 VponUpon what proppes did I set such an infinite weight, and by whose ayde did I lay the corner stone, for the vpholding of so great a building? he that made the frame of the worlde, is not he able, Iob, to susteine thee? He that created the worde, and fashioned thee without thine owne helpe, doeth not he knowe howe to gouerne thee aright, except herein he vse thy aduice and counsell?
7 Where wert thou) when the starres of the morning merily sung together, and all the sonnes of God reioyced?
But if thou hadst rather heare of those thinges which are aboue, I pray thee, where wert thou then, when those heauenly torches first beganne to shine, and ioyfully to daunce, as it were in number and measure, one after another, and when for this worke these blessed spirits with one accorde sang praises vntounto me?
8 Who is he, that hath shut vp the sea with doores, when it came foorth, being drawen out of the wombe?
9 Who made the cloudes, the couering thereof? and the darke mist, the swadling bandes thereof?
10 Yea, I hauehave limitted my decree vponupon it, and for it hauehave set barres and doores.
11 And I hauehave said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and the swelling of thy waues shall stay
8 But goe forwarde: let vsus nowe also come to the great sea: and here I will hauehave thee to consider, who it was, that with certeine doores or gates did keepe in and shut vp the same, breaking foorth, as it were, out of the wombe, wherein it was first conceived and bredde? 9 Who holdeth vp and fasteneth in the aire those cloudes which doe couer it all ouer? who rolleth vp the same in those thicke and mystie vapours, as it were in swathing bandes? 10 Is it not I, who by an euerlasting decree, which neuer shall be repealed, hauehave set downe and appointed boundes and limits, which, notwithstanding the great rage & fury thereof, it shal neuer passe? 11 For I hauehave said, euen to this place shalt thou come: beyōd which he shal not passe, but shal end his course, howe violently and loftily soeuer his waues are lifted vp.
12 Hast thou commanded the day light since thy dayes, (and) hast thou shewed vntounto the morning his place?
13 That it might take holde of the winges of the earth, and that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 And (that) it might be chaunged as the clay of the potters and as it were garments stand about it.
15 And from the wicked their light might be withholden, and the high arme be broken.
12 And that I may yet againe carrie thee aloft, hast thou, since the time that thou wert born, established lawes for the light, when it ought to arise, and hast thou giuen a signe vntounto the morning, where she shall first appeare? 13 That she foorthwith cast her beames, as it were so many fingers, vponupon the vttermost borders of the earth, and that the wicked at the sight of her are scattered, and dare not once shewe their faces vponupon the earth? 14 That at her comming forth, the earth is changed, receiving newe formes without number of things visible, euen as the clay is diuersly fashioned by the handes of the potter, with the which formes it is clothed, as it were with a garment of sundrie and chaungeable colours? 15 Finally, that by the benefite of the light the wicked are taken short, so that their proud enterprises come to nought, their courage is daunted, their oppression ceaseth, and them selues fall into destruction? doe all these things, I say, come to passe by thy meanes?
16 Hast thou entred into the bottomes of the sea, and hast thou walked in the secret partes of the gulfe?
17 Doe the gates of death lie open vntounto thee, hast thou seene, I say, the gates of the shadowe of death?
What? hast thou entred into the lowermost goulfes of the sea, and hast thou bene within the bowels of the same? 17 Hast thou searched the depth thereof, which I may well tearme the pallace of death, and hast thou seene those shadowes, which are as blacke with darkenes as death it selfe?
18 Hast thou perceiued the breadth of the earth? tell vsus whether thou knowest it all.
19 Which is the way where light dwelleth? and where is the place of darkenesse?
20 That thou shouldest receiue both the one and the other in the bounds thereof, and that thou hast knowen the way of the house thereof.
22 (These thinges forsooth) thou knowest, because thou wast then borne, and the number of thy daies is great.
18 Hast thou diligentlie viewed the distance of the earth, as it lieth in breadth, and darest thou affirme that eueryevery part and parcell thereof, is knowne vntounto thee? 19 Knowest thou the mansion of the light, & the station alotted to the darkenesse? 20 So that, thou canst finde them both in their owne regions, where they abide, and bring them foorth by pathes, which are not known to thee? 21 Forsooth, Iob, thou knowest these things, for so much as thou wert then borne, when I made them, and appointed what order and course they should keepe; and now also art very farre grown in yeeres.
22 Hast thou entred into the store houses of snow, & hast thou seene the treasures of haile?
23 Which J hauehave hid, for the time of affliction, and for the day of warre and battell?
24 (Doest thou know) what way the fire breaketh forth, scattering the east winde vponupon the earth?
25 Who deriueth the furrowes of waters for inundations, and the way for the lightning and the thunder?
26 That it may raine vponupon the earth, where there is not any man and vponupon the desert, where is no man?
27 To satisfie the wast and desolate place, & to make the comming forth of hearbes to bud?
28 Hath the raine a father? or who begetteth the droppes of dewe?
29 Out of whose wombe commeth the yee? and who breedeth the frost of the heauen?
30 The waters are hid as a stone, and the face of the depth is frosen.
22 & 23 But forasmuch, as thy vnderstanding cannot so easilie reach vntounto these higher, and these lowermost partes of the world, peraduenture thou art better acquainted with those things, which are done neerer in the ayre, as also which euerie man may behold here vponupon the earth. Thou hast often seene it snovv and haile, and thou mightest likewise perceiue the matter of both. But tell me, I pray thee, knowest thou what storehouses of snovv and haile I hauehave made me, from whence I may fetch them, how often, & in what quantitie and measure I thinke good, whensoeuer I am determined, either to punish the sinnes of mortall men, or to make warre with any stubburne or rebellious people? 24 Doest thou know, who openeth the way for the shining & brandishing lightnings, so that, forthwith the ayre is filled with the sound of horrible tempests, such as are commonlie raised by the easterne winde? 25.26 & 27 Who deuideth the diluge of waters, as it were, draining them, into certein furrowes, which would otherwise violentlie fall downe from heauen all at once, and maketh a passage for the thunder and lightning, through the midst of the cloudes: to the ende both that these tempests may be driuen into desert and vnhabited places, and also that those regions, which otherwise would remaine drie and barren, beeing sufficientlie watered with the showres of heauen, may beginne to bring foorth plants and herbes of all sortes. 28 And tell me, is the raine begotten, or the drops of dewe, are they engendred, as one man is begotten and engendered of an other, or rather, are they not made onelyonly at my good will and pleasure? 29 & 30 Is the yce, like an infant conceiued in the wombe? who begetteth the frost, which beeing congealed, falleth from aboue? the water is made hard as a stone, and seemeth not to be water: the face of the waters, be they neuer so deepe, is congealed and frosen.
31 Wilt thou binde the delights of Chimah, or loose the bindings of Chesil?
32 Wilt thou bring forth Mazzaroth in their time, & conduct Has with his sonnes?
33 Doest thou know the lawes of the heauens, or doest thou order the gouernment thereof in the earth?
34 Wilt thou lift vp thy voice to the clowdes, and abundance of water shall couer thee?
35 Wilt thou send forth the lightnings, and they shall say vntounto thee, loe here we are?
31 And whereas the starres doe rule the interchaungeable course of the fowre seasons of the yeere, which I hauehave so ordeined, that neuerthelesse they doe not alwaies keepe the same temperature of heat and cold, art thou hee, or rather, is it not I alone, that am able to restraine the pleasantnes of the spring, and to asswage the sharpnes of the winter? 32 At thy commaundement, will the summer come forth in its due time, and will the Autumne with his children, that is to say, with the yeerelie fruites, which are then to be gathered and laide vp, runne his race? 33 Is the administration and gouernement of the celestiall bodies, committed to thy charge, together vvith their constant motions, vvhichwhich keepe a marueilous and vnspeakeable order, which was appointed them from the beginning? hast thou alotted them their seuerall effects in the earth, as it were, to rule the partes thereof, with their vertue and influence? 34 Canst thou no sooner speake the worde, but the cloudes will poure foorth water aboundantlie vponupon thine heade? 35 Art thou hee, that causest the lightnings with violence to breake thorough the cloudes, and when thou callest for it, will it make answeare vntounto thee, and say, loe, I am here presente at hande?
36 Who hath put wisedome in the heart, and who hath giuen vnderstanding to the minde?
37 Who doth wiselie number the cloudes, and who setteth in order the waterpots of heauen?
38 When the dust is gathered into hardnes, and the clots are compacted together.
36 Furthermore, vvho is it, that hath indued man vvith wisedome, witte, and knowledge, I say, not to worke these thinges, or to gouerne them, (for that is altogether vnpossible) but howsoeuer to vnderstand them, and to applie them to his owne vse and commoditie? For doubtlesse, he can not hauehave this from him selfe, forasmuch as he tooke not the beginning of his nature and beeing, from him selfe, but from an other. 37 & 38. And that I may in few wordes comprise such thinges as are daily wrought, as it vvere, in the shoppe or vvorkehouse of the ayre, who is hee, I pray thee, that telleth the number of the clouds, vvhichwhich are in the heauens, where, vvith marueilous and vnspeakeable vvisedome, they are set in order to giuegive raine; so that the small dust beeing first moistened, and so by little and little cleauing togither, the clots, which before gaped by reason of drinesse, are closed vp, and fast ioyned one with another.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Vers. 1. Doest thou hunt the pray for the old Lyon, and fill the appetite of the Lyons whelpes?
2 When they couch in their places and remaine in the couert, to lie in waite.
1 & 2 BVT goe too, let vsus come to the beastes of the field, and foules of the ayre, that herein wee may know likewise what thou art able to doe. Doest thou teach the old Lyons to hunt their pray, and doest thou fill the rauenous appetite of the hungrie young Lyons, which couch downe their heades within their dennes, and lurke in secret places to lie in waite? or rather is it not I, who feede them by my wisedome, which is farre aboue the reach of thy vnderstanding?
3 Who prepareth meat for the rauens, when their young ones crie vntounto God: and they wander, neither hauehave any meat?
The rauens also may teach thee this, whose young ones, beeing without meat, and croking for hunger, I my selfe doe feede, and not any other, hearing them no otherwise complaine, then if they cried vntounto me.
4 Knowest thou the time when the goates which keepe in the rockes, bring forth young? or hast thou marked, when the hindes doe calue?
5 Doest thou number the moneths, in which they fulfill (their conception) and knowest thou the time when they doe bring forth?
6 They bow themselues, they cast forth their young and sende out their sorrowes.
7 Their young are strong, they grow abroad, they goe forth, & returne not vntounto them.
4 It may be, that thou takest care for the wilde goates abiding in the rockes, how they shall bring forth young, and teachest the hindes how to calue. 5 I beleeue, thou hast appointed how many moneths they shall go great with young, and at what instant they shall bring forth. 6 Nay, it is my prouidence, which watcheth ouer them, so that, when their time is come, they of their owne accord bow them selues, & bring forth without the helpe of any midwife, and presentlie all their sorrow leaueth them. 7 Neuerthelesse, the young hindes forthwith sucke their dames, beeing strong and lusty, till at the length, they forsake their dames, and neuer return to see them againe.
8 Who hath set the wild asse at libertie, and who hath loosed the bondes of the wild asse.
9 Whose house I hauehave appointed the wildernesse to be, & the salt earth his dwellings?
10 He derideth the noise of cities, and he heareth not the cries of the driuer.
11 The seeking out of the hills (is) his pasture, and he searcheth after euerie greene thing.
8 & 9 Who hath taken the wild asse, and bound him with cordes, so that beeing made tame, he might afterward loose his bandes and suffer him to goe at libertie, to whome I hauehave alotted his dwelling in the desert places, which are salt by reason of drinesse? 10 Therefore he hath nothing to doe with the noise of cities: he will not be brought to carrie burdens, like other tame beasts; he regardeth not the strokes and cries of the carter, or any other cruell driuers. 11 The vnknowne places of the mountaines are his stable and pastures, where he looketh after euerie greene plant, and eateth it vp.
12 Will the Vnicorne serue thee? will hee tarrie by thy cribbe?
13 VVilt thou binde the Vnicorne vvith his bande to (make) the furrovve? vvill hee harrowe the vallies after thee?
14 VVilt thou trust vntounto him, because his strength is greate? and vvilt thou committe thy labour vntounto him?
15 Wilt thou beleeue him, that he will restore thee thy seede, and gather it vntounto thy barne?
12 Moreouer canst thou bring the Vnicorne vnderunder thy subiection, and will hee tarie by thy crib? 13 Wilt thou binde him as thou doest thine Oxen with his bandes to dravve the plovve, before thee, or vvilt thou make him follovve thee with the harrovve? 14 Wilt thou trust vntounto his helpe, because his strength is greate, as if the hope of thy labour did depende vponupon him? 15. Wilt thou looke, I saye, to hauehave the haruest brought in by his labour, and that he vvill gather it vntounto the mowe?
16 (Hast thou giuen) the pleasant winges vntounto the peacocks? the wing and feather of the Ostrich (is it from thee.)
17 And that she leaueth her egges vponupon the ground, and cherisheth them vponupon the dust?
18 And forgetteth that the foote will treade vponupon them, and the beast of the field will breake them?
19 She dealeth hardely with her young ones not hers: her labour (is) in vaine without feare.
20 Because God hath depriued her of wisdome, and hath giuen her no part of vnderstanding.
21 In the time (when) shee mounteth on hie, shee mocketh the horse and his rider.
16 Hast thou clothed the peacocke vvith such gallant feathers? hast thou giuen such winges and feathers vntounto the Ostrich? 17. & 18. Which birde, albeit in greatnes she passe others, yet leaueth she her egges vponupon the ground to be cherished and kept warme of the dust, wherein they lie, beeing nothing at all mindfull that they may be troden vnderunder foot, and broken by the wild beastes which passe vp and downe from one place to an other: 19 so vnkinde is shee to her young ones, and yet not hers, as which shee hath in vaine conceiued and brought, whiles shee is not touched with any care or regard of them. 20. & 21. For thus it hath pleased God, euen my selfe, to create her, foolish and vvithout vnderstanding, which is giuen to other brute beastes: yet is shee of so great swiftnes, that after shee hath once spred her winges abroade, no horse nor horseman is able to ouertake her, running vvith her feete vponupon the ground, but vvithall beeing violentlie caried forvvarde vvith the moouing of her vvinges.
22 Hast thou giuen the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with neying?
23 Canst thou make him afraid (that is, make him flie away being affraide) as the grassehopper? the strength of his nostrells is terrour.
24 (His feete) digge the furrowe, and hee reioiceth in his strength, he goeth foorth to meet the armed man.
25 He mocketh at feare, neither is he daunted, neither turneth back at the sight of the sworde.
26 The quiuer soundeth vponupon him, and the iron of the iauelin and speare.
27 With lifting vp him selfe, and moouing he swalloweth the earth, neither careth he for the sound of the trumpet.
28 Hee saieth vntounto the trumpet, Ha, Ha: and hee smelleth the battell a farre off, the noise of the captaines, and of the alarum.
22 The strength of the horse commeth it from thee, or his terrible neying which soundeth from within his neck? 23. Canst thou with a litle noise make him afraid, and cause him to flie from thee like a grassehopper? nay, he bretheth foorth nothing else out of his nostrells, but meere terrours. 24. Seest thou how he striketh the earth with his feet? how hee pleaseth him selfe in his strength? how hee meeteth cherefully with harnessed men? 25 how hee counteth that a sport and play, whereof others are afraide? how nothing is able to daunt his courage? how hee goeth not backe at the fight of the sworde. 26 howe hee is nothing terrified with the ratling of the quiuer, nor yet with the banner and speare which his rider carieth? 27 how hee raiseth vp him selfe, and runneth hither and thither vvith such exceeding great rage and fiercenesse, as if hee vvoulde assayle the earth and euen svvallovve it vp: neither is anie whit troubled at the shrill sounde of the trumpet? 28 Nay, so soone as hee heareth it, reioyceth with a cheerefull voice, as it were smelling the battel a farre off with his nostrells, together with the callings of the Captaines and noise of the soldiers?
29 Doth the hawke by thy wisdome recouer her feathers, and spread out her wings toward the South?
30 Will the eagle at thy mouth, (that is, speech) mount aloft, and what? will she make her nest on hie?
31 Shee dwelleth in the rock: she abideth vponupon the top of the rock and tower.
32 From thence shee spieth for meate, her eyes behold a farre off.
33 And her young ones swallow downe bloode, and where the carkase is, there is shee.
29 Is it thy teaching, that the hawke casting her olde feathers and new comming in their steede, spreadeth out her winges towarde the South, that they may be cherished and made ripe with the heate of the Sunne? 30 Doeth the eagle at thy commaundement mount aloft? and doest thou teach her to build her nest in the hie places? 31 To dwell in the steepe rockes, and to make her abode in the verie toppes of the rockes: 32 thence to spie out her pray a farre off with her quick eyes: 33 there to satisfie her rauenous young ones with blood, and whersoeuer the carkase lieth, to flie thither in all hast?
34 Moreouer the Lorde called vntounto Iob and said,
35 Can a man contending with the almightie, teach him? hee that disputeth with God, let him answer to this.
34 The Lorde by these wordes as it were feeling Iobs minde, and then giuing him some respite to gather his spirites together, hearest thou these things, Iob, sayeth he? 35 and doest thou thinke that anie man reasoning and debating the matter with God, is able to teach him? Nowe therefore come on, if thou art still disposed to iangle and to stand in contention with thy maker, let me heare what thou canst answer to these things, which I hauehave alreadie spoken.
36 But Iob answered the Lord, and saide,
37 Behold, I am vile, what shall I answer thee. I doe lay mine hand vponupon my mouth.
38 Once hauehave I spoken: I will answere no more: yea, twise (hauehave I spoken) I will proceed no farther.
36. 37. 38. Hereat Iob shewing himselfe to be one, that feared God, and who hated not to be reformed, Loe saith he, I confesse my selfe guiltie and I acknowledge mine offence before thee. Doth it become mee sillie and miserable man, to make answer against thee, the glorious creatour of heauen and earth? Nay, I will now and for euer hereafter holde my peace. My sinne alreadie is too too great, that I hauehave once, and the second time spoken so presumptuoushe. God forbid, I should proceed anie farther.
CHAPTER XL.
Vers: 1. Againe the Lord answered Job out of the storme, & said.
2 Girde vp now thy loines like a man, I will demand of thee, and tell me (such things as I shall aske of thee.)
1. 2. AFter this the Lorde, meaning to come neerer to the matter, which chieflie was in controuersie: namely, to prooue and confirme by most fit examples, that his soueraigne power, being no lesse iust then it is great and infinite, whereby he worketh and rightlie gouerneth all things, and in which all men ought simplie and without exception to rest; nowe the second time speaketh vntounto Iob out of the storme, saying, That thou maiest yet, Iob, be better perswaded hereof, and that no scruple or doubt may sticke in thy conscience, as if I wente about by violence and tyrannie to oppresse thee; that which I said before to thee, I say againe, if thou thinke that thou canst alledge any thing against me, or that thou art able to stand in contention with me, come on, prepare thy selfe in the best wise, and answere to those things, which thou shalt heare me speake.
3 Wilt thou also disanull my iudgement, and make me guilty, that thy selfe maiest be acquitted?
4 (Is) thy arme like the (arme) of God, and doest thou thunder with a voice, like him?
5 Decke thy selfe with magnificense and highnesse, and put on maiestie and honour.
6 Shewe foorth the furie of thine anger, and beholde any man that is proude, and abase him.
7 Behold? I say) the man that is proude, and bring him low, and destroy the wicked vnderunder themselues, (that is, in their place.
9 And J also will confesse that thy right hand doth saue thee.
3 Consider vvith thy selfe, Iob, to vvhat ende thou hast powred foorth these complaintes against thy birth day, and hovv farre thou hast proceeded in defence of thine ovvne righteousnes, when thou diddest reason, as thou thy selfe thoughtest, very profoundlie, concerning my patient forbearing of the vvicked, and exercising the righteous vvith such grieuous and continuall afflictions. For I hauehave set before thine eies and that not in a fevv examples, hovv marueilous and vnsearchable my vvisdome and povver hath beene both in creating and ordering all thinges both in heauen aboue and in earth beneath: and vvilt thou not acknowledge that the same thinges doe also take place in thy selfe? vvhat then? art thou able not onelyonly to conteine that way and order, vvhichwhich I follovve in gouerning all thinges and to dispose thereof as thou thinkest good, but also to disprooue it, as svvaruing from right and iustice, vvhereby thou maiest be found iust, and I iudged vniust? 4 But go too, let vsus come to the matter vvhichwhich is in hande. Suppose that the gouernment of this vvorld were giuen ouer into thine hand, hast thou that might & povver to rule, to sustaine, & to vphold all things, vvhichwhich is onelie proper to my selfe? Canst thou send out that so dreadfull voice of thundring either to terrifie or to destroy the vvicked, vvhichwhich trouble and disquiet the vvorld? 6 Purchase all the vvorship and hie authoritie that thou canst, & come foorth accompanied vvith all honour and maiestie. 7. 8. 9. Moreouer looke with a sterne countenance, such a one as casteth foorth flames of vvrath and displeasure round about. Novve on the other side, let the proud and presumptuous sort stand before thee, vvho svvarme almost in eueryevery place, if so be thou canst abide their lookes, if so bee thou canst tame them, if thou canst cast these loftie fellovves dovvne to the grounde: finallie if thou canst so vanquish and get the masterie ouer them, that they shall neuer afterwardes dare to shewe their faces, nor yet once appeare, then I vvill yeeld that the victorie is thine and then vvill I also openly acknovvledge that there is in thee sufficient power and abilitie to gouerne thy selfe, and to ridde thy selfe out of all dangers, in so much that thou needest not at all to depend vponupon any other.
10 Behold nowe Behemoth, whome J made with thee: he eateth grasse as an oxe.
11 Beholde nowe his strength (is) in his loynes: and his force in the wrinckles of his bellie.
12 He mooveth not his prominent parte (which is) as the Cedar: the sinewes of the terriblenes thereof are wrapped together.
13 His bones are brasen beames: his bones (I say) as a lumpe of iron.
14 This beast is the chiefe of the wayes (that is, of the works) of God: he that hath made him, maketh his sworde also to be neere him.
15 But the mountaines bring him foorth grasse, and there doe all the wilde beastes play.
16 He lyeth vnderunder the shadowe of trees, in the couert of the reede and fennes.
17 The great trees couer him (to be) a shade vntounto him, the willowes of the streame compasse him about.
18 He diminisheth the riuer, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can drawe vp Iordan into his mouth.
19 Who will take him, being before him, or with snares bore him through the nostrilles.
10 But that thou mayest learne hereafter to measure thy selfe by the length of thine owne foote, to keepe thy selfe within thy boundes, beholde, I set before thee that huge beast, which being one, may stand for many, and is, as thou also art, my workmanship: I meane the Elephant, whose bignes in comparison of thee, thou seest what it is: & yet he eateth hay like the oxe, neither doth he proudly abuse that his mightines of lims. 11 Neither is there any cause, why a mā should thinke that he hath not strēgth proportionable to the greatnes of his body. For that his might is exceeding great, the bredth & vastnes of his sides together with his belly full of ridges and wrinckles doeth sufficiently testifie. 12 What sayest thou to this moreouer, that with great swiftnes he turneth about hither and thither that prominent part which men call his snowte: being wholly compact of sinnewes, wrapped, and as it were, twisted together, able to terrifie any man, seeme he neuer so stout and couragious. 13 As for his bones, especially those two hollow ones, which stand out of his mouth, thou wouldest say, they were two pipes of steele: and that the rest were so many massie peeces of iron. 14 In a worde, among all other beastes of the fielde, I would that this should be, as it were, a most singular testimonie of my omnipotent and incomprehensible power: and as I hauehave made him, so hauehave I furnished him with sufficient armour for the defence of him selfe. 15 Yet is he content with his fodder, which the mountaines do yeeld him, he is gentle and hurteth no man, neither do other beasts avoide his presence and companie, but rather desire it. 16 He abideth vnderunder the shadowe of great trees, and lyeth hid among the reedes, 17. & 18 Where being couered with the shade of boughes, and remaining among the willowes of the riuer, if happilie thirst come vponupon him, he foorthwith entereth into the chanell, breaking the course thereof with his great and vaste bodye, insomuch that the streame being driuen into sundry parts, runneth thinner: and he drinketh so great a draft, that he seemeth as if he would swallow vp the whole riuer of Iordan, if it were before him. 19 But tell me, is any hunter, after he hath espied him, by force able to take him? or being by sleightes bored through the nostrils and caught with a snare, is there any man that can leade him away?
CHAPTER XLI.
1 CAnst thou drawe out Leviathan with an hooke, and with a line, which thou shalt cast downe vponupon his tongue?
2 Wilt thou thrust a bulrush through his nostrils, or pearce thorowe his iawes with a thorne?
3 Will he make many prayers vntounto thee? will he speake thee faire?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee, that thou shouldest take him for thy seruant for euer?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a birde, and wilt thou bind him for thy maides?
6 Shall the companions banquet with him? and shall they deuide him among the marchants?
7 Wilt thou fill his skinne with hookes, or his head with the fishers bowe net?
8 Lay thine hand vponupon him: thou wilt neuer after remember the battell.
9 Beholde his hope (namely, that layeth his handes vponupon him) is frustrate, (yea) shall he not be ouercome with the very sight of him?
1 And to the ende thou mayst yet better perceiue, how much thou hast forgotten thy selfe in taking vponupon thee thus presumptuously to reason with me, beholde, I set before thee another kinde of vaste & horrible monster, namely, the crocodile. Canst thou hope (vnlesse happily thou art not in thy right wittes) to draw him vp like a fish with an hooke, & with a line cast down vpō his tongue? 2 And hauing caught him by the nose or iawes with a hooke, canst thou hang him vponupon a twig or bulrush, and so carrie him away with thee? 3. & 4 When thou seekest to catch him, will he prostrate him selfe before thee & fall downe at thy feete, as they, who are conquered in warre vse to do, desiring thee with faire words and great intreatie to spare his life? & making this couenāt & agreement with thee, that he will continually be thy servant and bondslaue? 5 Or wilt thou giuegive him to thy daughters to play withall, as fathers are accustomed, when they are disposed to play with their children, to giuegive them little birdes tyed by the feete? 6 Will the company of fishermen make good cheere together, because they hauehave takē him, & bargaine with the marchants for deviding of him? 7 When thou goest about to take him, wilt thou strike at him with hookes one after another, or wilt thou get his head within a fishing net? 8. & 9 But if so be any chuse rather to lay hāds vponupon him, he shalbe frustrate of his purpose, & shal pay deerly for his boldnesse, he may well accompt it the last attempt that euer he shall take in hand: yea, who rather will not be ouercome with his very lookes?
10 (There is) not (any so) fierce, that he dare stirre him vp, & who is he then, that will present him selfe before me?
11 Who hath prevented me, and J will restore? (That which is) vnderunder the whole heauen is mine.
12 I will keepe secrete his members, and the state of his strength, & grace (that is, the wonderfull manner) of his making.
10 Nowe seeing none is so hardie, that dares rouze vp this monster being at rest, who would not wonder at that mās boldnes & presumption, who is not afraid to set him self opēly against me? 11 If any man hath bestowed any benefit vponupon me first, go to, let him come forth & shew himselfe, lo here I am ready to acknowledge my selfe beholding to him. Nay surely, but al is mine, & commeth from me whatsoeuer is vnderunder the cope of heauen. But forasmuch as I hauehave proceeded thus farre, I thinke good to shew the parts, together with the whole state and composition of this vaste creature, in which, as in a most principall peece of my workmanship, thou maist beholde howe great and howe glorious a God I am.
13 Who will discouer the face of his garment? who will come to him with a double bridle?
14 Who shall open the doores of his face? the compasse of his teeth (is) terrour.
13 Who, (as men vse to doe, when horses are to be sadled) will take off his cloth, and set the saddle vponupon his backe? who will come to him with a double bitte? 14 Who will open the gates of his iawes, to put the bridle into his mouth? his teeth on all sides are nothing else, but meere terrors.
15 His highest part (that is, his backe) is the strength of many shieldes: eueryevery one of them is shut vp within a narrow roome.
16 One is set to another, and the winde commeth not betweene them.
17 One is ioyned to another, they cleaue together and are not sundred.
15. 16. 17 He is armed with strong shieldes, rising and standing out vponupon the ridge of his backe: being so neerely ioyned & knit together, that the wind can not hauehave any passage betweene them: and they cleaue so fast and are in that order, as it were, linked one to another, that no force is able to make a separation and diuision betweene them.
18 With his neesings fire is kindled, and his eyes are the eye liddes of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go lampes, and sparckles of fire leape out.
20 Out of his nostrils commeth foorth smoke, as out of a boyling pot and caldron.
21 His breath maketh the coles burne, and a flame goeth forth of his mouth.
18 When he ratleth in his throte like to one that sneeseth, there appeareth a flame of fire: which way soeuer he turneth his eyes, there commeth a light from them, like the golden beames of the morning. 19 You will say, that torches with sparkles of fire breaking foorth on all sides, proceede out of his mouth. 20 His nostrilles cast foorth a thicke smoke, like to a seething pot or caldron. 21 he breatheth out burning coles, he spitteth out of his mouth flashes of fire.
22 In his necke remaineth strength, sorow reioyceth before him.
23 The parcels of his flesh are vnited together: all his members are well knit, and are not remooued.
22 His necke is so hard and strong, that all force and power seemeth therein to consist: & that which is dangerous vntounto others, and bringeth them into pensiuenesse & sorrow, to wit, the tempestuous rage of the swelling waters, the same is pleasant and delightsome vntounto him. 23 His ioynts are not loose & parted asunder, but compact & wel knit together, so that one can not possibly be deuided & pulled from another.
24 His heart is strong as a stone, and as hard as the nether milstone.
25 The mightie are afraid of his rising vp: at his breakings they purge them selues.
26 If a man assaile him with a sworde, it will not stande, nor the dart, nor the speare.
27 He esteemeth iron as strawe: brasse, as rotten wood.
28 The arrowe doeth not make him flee, the stones of the sling are turned into stubble vntounto him.
29 The engines of warre are no better with him then stubble, and he laugheth at the shaking of the spere.
24 Neither is his heart any thing inferiour to the might of his body, as strong as any rocke, as hard to abide all brūts as the nether milstone. 15 Therefore when he raiseth & lifteth vp him selfe, not the stoutest & most couragious, but he feareth, and he that but seeth with what violence he rusheth & breaketh the waues, is ready to bewray himselfe. 26 And if happely any man strike him with a sword, the sword recoyleth, being beaten backe with the hardnes of his body, & so doth any weapon whatsoeuer, which a man throweth at him. 27 For he maketh no more account of iron, then of chaffe, & a sword of steele is all one to him, as a piece of rotten wood. 28 The arrowe doeth not driue him away, the stones of the slingers are as stubble before him. 29 He is no more afraid of warlike engins, then if a man should cast strawes at him, & as for the shaking of the speare, he counteth it a ridiculous thing, and nothing at all to be regarded.
30 VnderUnder him are sharpe flintes, and he layeth sharpe thinges vnderunder him in the mire.
31 He maketh the depth to boyle like a pot, and he maketh the sea like a mortar, wherein colours are beaten.
32 He maketh a shining path after him, (one) would thinke the gulfe as an hore head.
33 There is no likenesse (that is, not any thing like) to him, he is made without feare, (that is, so that he dreadeth nothing.
34 He despiseth all hie things, he is a king ouer all that are lofty.
30. He careth not for the sharpnes of the flints & rocks, but layeth him downe to rest vponupon them in the mire. 31 Lying thus vponupon the moist grounde vnderunder the water, when he stirreth him selfe in the bottom, the water boyleth like a pot, in so much that you would liken the whirling of the water to a querne, that is turned round of the painter to temper his colours. 32 When he swimmeth ouer the sea, the water shineth after him, and resembleth the white haires of an hoarie head. 33 To conclude, there is no beast vponupon the earth to be compared with him, nor so made, not to feare any thing: 34 Despising all other creatures in comparison of him selfe, and who may rightly be called the King, among all that are proud and mightie.
CHAPTER XLII.
1 THen Iob answered the Lord, and said.
2 J knowe that thou canst doe all things, and that counsell is not hindered from thee, (that is, that thou decreest nothing which thou art not able to accomplish and bring to passe.)
3 Who is this, that darkneth (my) counsell without knowledge? (that is, by his ignorance) Therfore (trulie) hauehave I spoken, but (such things as) J vnderstood not: (These things are) too wonderfull for me, and J hauehave not knowne them.
4 Heare, I beseech thee, and I will speake, J will demaund of thee, and declare thou vntounto me.
5 I had heard of thee, by the hearing of the eare: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Therefore I abhorre (those my former doeings,) & repent in dust and ashes.
1 & 2 Then Iob, beeing ouercome with the great maiesty of God, rather thundring forth out of the storme, then speaking after the manner of men, and not beeing able to holde his peace any longer: I acknowledge, saith he, that there is nothing which thou art not able to doe, and as thy counsels are wise and iust, so also, that thou wantest not power, to accomplish and bring to passe, whatsoeuer thou hast decreed. 3 Trulie thou hadst good cause, O Lord, to rebuke my foolishnes, by asking the question, what manner of man he might be, who by so much the more obserued thy counsels, by how much the more deepelie he searched into them. Therefore, I confesse, that I hauehave vttered such things, as I did not vnderstand, beeing altogether vnknowne, farre aboue the reach of my slender capacitie. 4 Shall I say, that this hath happened to me through mine owne fault, and deseruing, that thou shouldest vse these wordes to me, Heare J pray thee, and I will speake? For surelie it belongeth vntounto thee to commaund, and not to intreat that thou maist be heard. It is thy part, I say, to commaund what thou wilt hauehave done, and mine to giuegive eare to that which thou commaundest. And againe, I was very much ashamed of my selfe, when as thou saidst, I will aske of thee, and doe thou teach mee, For I, O Lord, am to aske and to learne, and not thou. 5 On the other side, how great a benefit is this which thou doest now bestow vponupon me, in that thou hast vouchsafed me, thy presence and speech in this storme, wheras before, I onelyonly knew thee by hearesay: namelie, by those things which I hauehave heard our Fathers tell, concerning thy power, thy wisdome, and thine excellent works. 6 Therefore I doe not onelie recant and call backe, whatsoeuer I hauehave before time, either thought or spoken vnaduisedlie, but I do euen abhorre my selfe in that respect. Loe, I acknowledge mine offence before thee, & I am hartely sory for the same, This dust & ashes shal be a witnes of my repētance.
7 And it came to passe after the Lord had spoken these wordes vntounto Iob, the Lord said vntounto Eliphaz the Themanite. My wrath is kindled against thee, & thy companions, because yee hauehave not spoken of me the thing that is right, like my seruant Iob.
8 Therefore take vntounto you now seuen bullocks and seuen rams, and go to my seruant Iob, & offer vp for your selues a burnt offering. And my seruant Iob shall pray for you. For his face will J accept, least J worke, foolishnes with you, (that is, least I so behaue my selfe towards you, as your foolishnes doth deserue) because you hauehave not spoken of me the thing, which is right, like my seruant Iob.
9 So Eliphaz the Themanite, aed Bildad the Suhite, and Tsophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord had said vntounto them, and he accepted the face of Iob.
7 These speeches hauing thus passed between the Lord and Iob, the Lord being much more displeased with those his three friends, forasmuch as they neither had spoken and iudged aright concerning his prouidence, by which hee gouerneth all things, neither yet concerning the certen tokens of his louelove and hatred, and moreouer also had falsly accused Iobs former life, as guiltie of great wickednesse and hipocrisie, thereby almoste driuing him into desperation: turning his speech vntounto Eliphaz the Themanite, verely I (saith hee) am highly offended with thee and with thy two companions, because yee hauehave not spoken so rightlie of mee as it became you, and as my seruant Iob hath done, whome you hauehave assailed without all right and reason. 8. Goe yee therfore, and taking seuen young heifers and so many rammes, deliuer them to my seruant Iob, that hee may offer them vp to mee for you in a burnt sacrifice. For hee shall pray for you, so farre shall hee bee from recompensing euill for euil. And as for me I will be reconciled to you for his sake and at his intreaty, that you may not receiue the reward of your foolishnes which ye hauehave deserued, hauing not spoken rightlie of me, as my seruant Iob hath done. 9 So those three, namely Eliphaz the Themanite, Bildad the Shuite, and Tsophar the Naamathite, were obedient to the commaundement of the Lord, giuing forth a most singular example of a modest & humble minde, which is alwaies readie and willing to be reformed. Neither surelie had they sinned of wickednes or mallice, but of ignorance & vnaduisednes. And Iob on the other side (as it becommeth vertuous & godlie men to doe) straightway forgetting al iniuries, discharged that duetie, which God had inioyned him: & his praiers for his three friends were acceptable to God.
10 And the Lord turned the captiuitie of Job into the contrarie, when he prayed for his friendes: and he gaue Iob twise so much as he had before.
Moreouer, this intreatie, which Iob made for those his friends, who had dealt so hardly & iniuriously with him, God tooke in so good parte, as that forthwith he turned all his miseries and afflictions, wherewith Satan had fast tied him as a captiue with chaines and fetters, he turned them I say, into a state and condition cleane contrarie to that, wherein he had beene thus grieuouslie tried; and for those things which Iob had before time in his possessiō, he now bestowed vponupon him double so much as he had taken from him.
11 For there came vntounto him all his brethren, & all his sisters, & as manie as had bene of his acquaintance before, and did eate bread with him in his house: and had compassion of him and comforted him for all the euill, that the Lord had brought vponupon him, and everie man gaue some one of his cattell, & euerie one an earing of gold.
12 Moreouer the Lord blessed the last (state) of Iob more then his former. For he had 14 thousand sheep, & 6 thousand camells, & a thousand yoke of Oxen, and a thousand shee Asses.
11 For God changing their mindes, all the men and women that were of his kindred, & al that before time had bene familiarly acquainted with him, came vntounto him of their own accord, & did eat meat with him in his own house, protesting that they tooke that his misfortune very heavily, and they comforted him in the best manner that they could; yea, eueryevery one of them gaue him either a sheepe, or an oxe, or a camell, and also an eare ring of gold: partly as a pledge of their goodwill and friendship renewed towards him, and partly in considration & recompence of that losse, which he had before by the will and foreappointment of God, sustained. 12 Moreouer, God marveilously blessed him with increase, and made this his latter condition much better then his former, in somuch, that he did nowe possesse fourteene thousande sheepe, sixe thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand shee asses.
13 He had also seuen sonnes and three daughters.
14 And he called the name of one, Iehimimah: & the name of the second, Kesiah: and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.
15 And in all the lād were no womē found so faire as the daughters of Iob, & their father gaue thē inheritance among their brethrē.
13 Likewise he gaue him so many children as he had before, to wit, 7. sonnes, and 3. daughters of rare excellencie, as their names may witnes. 14. 15 For he called the first Iehimimab, as it were, the brightnes of the day: the second Casia, that is, the most pretious spice, or cinamon: the third, Kerenhappuch, which is as much to say as the horne or strength of the white Alabaster: neither were there any womē throughout all that coūtry, in beauty & comlines to be cōpared with Iobs daughters: whom their father loued so dearly, that together with his sonnes, (which was a thing very rare, and not often before heard of in those places) he made them heires of his substance and possessions.
16 And after this, Iob liued an hundreth and fourtie yeeres, and saw his sonnes, and his sonnes sonnes, euen to foure generations:
17 And Iob dyed, being olde and full of dayes.
16 Finally, that God might heape all manner of blessings vponupon this his victorious champion, he liued after this cōflict & triall a hundreth & fourty yeres, & that in continual helth & prosperity, in somuch that he saw his childrens childrē vntounto the fourth generation: 17 And at the length being very olde & full of yeres, ended his life.
FINIS.
End of the text · Theodore Beza, Job Expounded (1589)