Bible Commentaries

After this: i.e. after this long restraint.

cursed. Here we have the Hebrew kalal, which was in the primitive text. See note on Job 1:5.

his day: i.e. his birthday. Compare Job 3:3.

spake = answered, i.e. began, or lamented. Hebrew idiom. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41.

and = or. He knew not which it was. Compare Judges 11:31.

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

darkness. Hebrew. hashak. GOD. Hebrew Eloah. See App-4.

the shadow of death. Hebrew. zalmaveth = the darkness of death.

stain it = pollute it. Hebrew. ga"al, to pollute; not ga"al, to redeem.

darkness = intense or thick darkness. Hebrew. "ophel. Not hashak (verses: Job 3:4, Job 3:5, Job 3:9) which is less intense.

Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

their mourning = a dragon. Referring probably to what the constellation signified.

dark. Hebrew. hashak. See Job 3:4.

let it look. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6.

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

from = in, or within.

give up the ghost = die. Hebrew. gava", to expire. Compare Job 10:18; Job 13:19; Job 14:10.

the knees [of the mother]. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6.

prevent = come before, so as to meet.

desolate places = ruins: i.e. places (tombs or monuments) already going to ruins.

wicked = lawless agitators. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

weary = worn out [of strength].

oppressor = taskmaster.

master = masters. Hebrew, plural for emphasis.

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

long = wait, or look for.

grave = sepulchre. Hebrew. keber. See App-35.

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6. supplies the sentence from v- 20; but it may be repeated from Job 3:22, "the grave", regarding verses: Job 21:22 as a parenthesis.

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4.

I eat = my food.