*H Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?
Ver. 2. You. Heb. "Truly you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!" This irony is very sharp. C. — "Are you alone men? or shall?" &c. Sept. Syr.
*H He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.
Ver. 4. Mocked. He retaliates on Sophar, (C. xi. 3. H.) who had very seriously exhorted Job to call on God, as if he had been ignorant of this duty. C. — God will one day force the wicked to retract their false notion, in despising his servants. Wisd. v. 3. W.
* Footnote * Proverbs 14 : 2
He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, is despised by him that goeth by an infamous way.*H The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
Ver. 5. The lamp. Such is the just man, who under affliction is (H.) exposed to the ridicule of men who live at their ease. — For. Heb. "to fall." C. — Sept. "It was appointed for me to fall under others at the time fixed."
*H The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:
Ver. 6. Abound. Heb. "are at peace." C. — The prosperity of the wicked is therefore no proof that they are pleasing to him. H. — All nature testifies that God exercises a sovereign dominion over his works. He may therefore cause the just to suffer, though they be guiltless. This is one of Job's grand maxims. C.
* Footnote * Psalms 43 : 11
Thou hast made us turn our back to our enemies: and they that hated us plundered for themselves.* Footnote * Psalms 48 : 7
They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches,*H Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
Ver. 11. Taste. For this no master is requisite; so I stood in no need of your information, (C.) of such trite remarks. H.
*H In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
Ver. 12. Ancient. He rather chides the youth of Sophar for offering to give him lessons. Old age is indeed commonly wiser and more experienced. Yet, what is man's knowledge compared to that of God! v. 13.
* Footnote * Isaias 22 : 22
And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.* Footnote * Apocalypse 3 : 7
And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write: These things saith the Holy One and the true one, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, shutteth and no man openeth:*H He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
Ver. 17. To a. Heb. "to be despoiled" of their wisdom and riches. C. — Sept. "into captivity." H. — Crafty plotters at last fall into such misconduct, as to be derided by men of the meanest capacity. W.
*H He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
Ver. 18. Looseth. Sept. "setteth kings upon the throne," &c. — Belt. This was usually very magnificent, and a military ornament. See that of Pallas described. Æn. x. Job intimates that God deprives kings of their authority, at pleasure. Heb. may also signify that he looseth the bond or prisoner of kings, and reduces themselves to slavery. C. — Things never remain long in the same state. H. — Even kings are sometimes obliged to beg. M.
*H He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
Ver. 19. Without. Heb. "despoiled." Sept. "captives." Cohanim, may comprise both sacred ministers and civil princes. 1 K. viii. 18. All are equally subject to God. C.
*H He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.
Ver. 20. Speakers. Permitting them to speak deceitfully, (C.) or causing their oracles to be contemned. H. — Heb. "he withdraws speech from men of confidence." C. — Neemanim, (H.) ambassadors or prime ministers. Num. xii. 7. He disconcerteth the best concerted plans.
*H He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
Ver. 21. Relieveth. Heb. "ungirdeth (disarms) the strong." C. — Sept. "but the lowly (humble) he has healed."
*H He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.
Ver. 22. Of death. Tsalmaveth (H.) may perhaps simply denote darkness. C. — God bringeth to light the most hidden things. H.
*H He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.
Ver. 23. Multiplieth. Heb. Sept. and Syr. "deceiveth," (C.) suffering them to confide too much in their strength, so that they fall an easy prey. H. — How many nations, once so powerful, are now fallen; while others of no account have risen to eminence!
*H He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way.
Ver. 24. Changeth. Heb. "taketh away the heart," or prudence "of princes." Hence they follow the most absurd counsels. Isai. xxix. 19. C. — No way. This was the case of Pharao, when he pursued the Israelites into the sea; (T.) and the like may rationally be feared by those princes, who attempt to make innovations in the true religion, or in the sound laws of a kingdom. M.