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23:1 Respondens autem Job, ait :
Then Job answered, and said:
23:2 [Nunc quoque in amaritudine est sermo meus, et manus plagae meae aggravata est super gemitum meum.
*H Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.


Ver. 2. Bitterness. Instead of comfort, he only meets with insult from his friends. He therefore appeals to God, (W.) but with fear. C. — Scourge, is not in Heb. M. — But it explains the meaning of "my hand," (H.) or the heavy chastisement (S. Greg.) which I endure. M.

23:3 Quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum, et veniam usque ad solium ejus ?
Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?
23:4 Ponam coram eo judicium, et os meum replebo increpationibus :
I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.
23:5 ut sciam verba quae mihi respondeat, et intelligam quid loquatur mihi.
That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
23:6 Nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum, nec magnitudinis suae mole me premat.
*H I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.


Ver. 6. Nor. Prot. "No, but he would put strength in me." He would enable me to stand my trial. H. — He would lay no falsehood to my charge.

23:7 Proponat aequitatem contra me, et perveniat ad victoriam judicium meum.
*H Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.


Ver. 7. Victory. Before such a judge I should hope to be acquitted. Job must have been well convinced of his innocence. For woe to man, if God treat him according to the rigour of his justice! C. — Sept. "For truth and reproof are with him. But, oh! that he would bring my judgment to an end." H.

23:8 Si ad orientem iero, non apparet ; si ad occidentem, non intelligam eum.
*H But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.


Ver. 8. East, or Heb. "before...if behind I cannot perceive him." C. — Where, then, shall I find this just judge? v. 3. H.

23:9 Si ad sinistram, quid agam ? non apprehendam eum ; si me vertam ad dexteram, non videbo illum.
*H If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.


Ver. 9. Right, southward. — See. The southern part of the heavens, or the antarctic stars would not be discerned in Idumea. C. ix. 9. C. — Job speaks in a human manner, as he was not ignorant of God's immensity. M.

23:10 Ipse vero scit viam meam, et probavit me quasi aurum quod per ignem transit.
*H But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:


Ver. 10. Fire. They had not a stone, like the Greeks, to try gold. C.

23:11 Vestigia ejus secutus est pes meus : viam ejus custodivi, et non declinavi ex ea.
My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.
23:12 A mandatis labiorum ejus non recessi, et in sinu meo abscondi verba oris ejus.
*H I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.


Ver. 12. Lips, given to Noe, (Gen. ix. 5.) or to Moses. This work was written by a Jew, who dresses up the sentiments of Job in his own style. The holy man was also acquainted with the Mosaic dispensation, though he was not bound to observe the ceremonial part of it. C. — His words may, however, be verified, though he speak only of the natural law, or of that which was preserved by tradition of the patriarchs, as both proceeded from God. H. — Hid. Prot. "esteemed...more than my necessary food." H. — Sept. agree with the Vulg. The ancients placed in their bosom what they greatly esteemed. The Turks still use it as a pocket. Thevenot xxii. C.

23:13 Ipse enim solus est, et nemo avertere potest cogitationem ejus : et anima ejus quodcumque voluit, hoc fecit.
*H For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done.


Ver. 13. Alone. Self-existent. Heb. "in one thing," or resolution. He is immutable: all I could say would avail nothing. C.

23:14 Cum expleverit in me voluntatem suam, et alia multa similia praesto sunt ei.
*H And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.


Ver. 14. With him, to punish me afresh. Heb. "when he shall have appointed me my portion, he shall still have many such." He may treat me as a slave, allowing me only a certain portion of meat. Prov. xxx. 8. and xxxi. 15. C.

23:15 Et idcirco a facie ejus turbatus sum, et considerans eum, timore sollicitor.
And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.
23:16 Deus mollivit cor meum, et Omnipotens conturbavit me.
God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
23:17 Non enim perii propter imminentes tenebras, nec faciem meam operuit caligo.]
*H For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.


Ver. 17. Face. My afflictions have not yet taken away my life, as might have been expected. H. — I am less affected with my miseries, than with the dread of God's presence, v. 15. 16. C.

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