Bible Commentaries

The First Speech of Zophar

The speech is short and unsympathetic.

1-6. Zophar rebukes Job for daring to assert his innocence.

3. Thy lies] RV 'thy boastings,' viz. Job's assertions of innocence (Job 11:4).

6. That they are double, etc.] RV 'That it is manifold in effectual working.' God exacteth, etc.] RM 'God remitteth unto thee of thine iniquity'; He does not bring np all Job's guilt, which is greater than he is aware of. So far from the penalty being excessive, Job has not received all that he deserved.

7-12. God knows Job's sinfulness if he does not himself.

7. RM 'Canst thou find out the deep things of God?'

8. It] God's wisdom.

10. If he cut off, etc.] rather, 'Should he pass by, imprison, arraign before an assembly?' If God, with perfect knowledge of sinful man, visits him in various ways, who shall gainsay His actions?

12. Perhaps we may render, 'Thus vain man gets understanding, and a wild ass's colt is born a man.' The description of affliction brings wisdom to the foolish and transforms the most unpromising natures.

13-20. Repentance the way to restored prosperity.

14. Tabernacles] RV 'tents.'

15. Without spot] of guilt.

16. Waters] rather, 'floods.'

17. Thine age] RV 'thy life.' Thou shalt shine] RV 'Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.'

18. Dig] RV 'search,' viz. for danger, but find none.

20. As] RV omits. There is nothing before the wicked but death. The statement is general, but Zophar, unlike the other friends, hints that Job may belong to the wicked.