Bible Commentaries

The First Speech of Eliphaz (concluded)

1-5. Eliphaz warns Job that to show a resentful temper at God's dispensations is folly, and that fools never prosper.

1. Call, etc.] i.e. 'make your complaint against God to the angels'; 'do you think they will help you?' Saints] RV 'holy ones,' i.e. the angels.

2. Wrath] RV 'vexation.' Envy] RV 'jealousy.' Such rash conduct brings destruction.

3. Cursed] i.e. rejected as an accursed thing. At first Eliphaz was inclined to envy the prosperity of the wicked; but in a moment he sees there is no room for envy. He would not accept their position at any price, so sudden and sure was their downfall.

4. Crushed in the gate] the gate of the city, where justice was administered: cp. Psalms 127:5. There are none to support their cause or to influence the judge.

5. The thorns] the protecting thorn hedge.

6, 7. Affliction is not accidental, but is due to man's sinful nature. Although] RV 'for.'

8. 1] RV 'As for me, I.' Eliphaz, instead of murmuring, would leave his case in the hands of One who is both great and wise.

11. To set] RV 'so that he setteth,' i.e setteth men up by raising them from despair.

13. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness] quoted by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:19, the only quotation from Job in the NT. Is carried headlong] i.e. furthered to their hurt.

14. The bewildered, haunted state into which the crooked devices of the wicked bring them.

15. From their mouth] RV 'of their mouth.'

17-27. The blessedness of affliction if regarded as correction.

21. Scourge of the tongue] of false accusers and slanderers: cp. Job 5:15.

23. In league with the stones of the field] His land will be free from stones; a part of the general thought of being at peace with all creation: cp. Proverbs 16:7. For the idea of a sympathy between man and nature cp. Romans 8:19.

24. Tabernacle] RV 'tent.' Shalt not sin] RV 'shalt miss nothing.'