1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
1 Then Eliphaz H464 the Temanite H8489 answered H6030 and said, H559
2 If we assay H5254 to commune H1697 with thee, wilt thou be grieved? H3811 but who can H3201 withhold H6113 himself from speaking? H4405
3 Behold, thou hast instructed H3256 many, H7227 and thou hast strengthened H2388 the weak H7504 hands. H3027
4 Thy words H4405 have upholden H6965 him that was falling, H3782 and thou hast strengthened H553 the feeble H3766 knees. H1290
5 But now it is come H935 upon thee, and thou faintest; H3811 it toucheth H5060 thee, and thou art troubled. H926
6 Is not this thy fear, H3374 thy confidence, H3690 thy hope, H8615 and the uprightness H8537 of thy ways? H1870
7 Remember, H2142 I pray thee, who ever perished, H6 being innocent? H5355 or where H375 were the righteous H3477 cut off? H3582
8 Even as I have seen, H7200 they that plow H2790 iniquity, H205 and sow H2232 wickedness, H5999 reap H7114 the same.
9 By the blast H5397 of God H433 they perish, H6 and by the breath H7307 of his nostrils H639 are they consumed. H3615
10 The roaring H7581 of the lion, H738 and the voice H6963 of the fierce lion, H7826 and the teeth H8127 of the young lions, H3715 are broken. H5421
11 The old lion H3918 perisheth H6 for lack H1097 of prey, H2964 and the stout lion's H3833 whelps H1121 are scattered abroad. H6504
12 Now a thing H1697 was secretly brought H1589 to me, and mine ear H241 received H3947 a little H8102 thereof.
13 In thoughts H5587 from the visions H2384 of the night, H3915 when deep sleep H8639 falleth H5307 on men, H582
14 Fear H6343 came H7122 upon me, and trembling, H7461 which made all H7230 my bones H6106 to shake. H6342
15 Then a spirit H7307 passed H2498 before my face; H6440 the hair H8185 of my flesh H1320 stood up: H5568
16 It stood still, H5975 but I could not discern H5234 the form H4758 thereof: an image H8544 was before mine eyes, H5869 there was silence, H1827 and I heard H8085 a voice, H6963 saying,
17 Shall mortal man H582 be more just H6663 than God? H433 shall a man H1397 be more pure H2891 than his maker? H6213
18 Behold, he put no trust H539 in his servants; H5650 and his angels H4397 he charged H7760 with folly: H8417
19 How much less H637 in them that dwell H7931 in houses H1004 of clay, H2563 whose foundation H3247 is in the dust, H6083 which are crushed H1792 before H6440 the moth? H6211
20 They are destroyed H3807 from morning H1242 to evening: H6153 they perish H6 for ever H5331 without any regarding H7760 it.
21 Doth not their excellency H3499 which is in them go away? H5265 they die, H4191 even without wisdom. H2451
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast made firm the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Is not thy fear `of God' thy confidence, `And' the integrity of thy ways thy hope?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who `ever' perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
8 According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, And sow trouble, reap the same.
9 By the breath of God they perish, And by the blast of his anger are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falleth on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; A form was before mine eyes: `There was' silence, and I heard a voice, `saying',
17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 Behold, he putteth no trust in his servants; And his angels he chargeth with folly:
19 How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!
20 Betwixt morning and evening they are destroyed: They perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.
1 And Eliphaz the Temanite answereth and saith: --
2 Hath one tried a word with thee? -- Thou art weary! And to keep in words who is able?
3 Lo, thou hast instructed many, And feeble hands thou makest strong.
4 The stumbling one do thy words raise up, And bowing knees thou dost strengthen.
5 But now, it cometh in unto thee, And thou art weary; It striketh unto thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Is not thy reverence thy confidence? Thy hope -- the perfection of thy ways?
7 Remember, I pray thee, Who, being innocent, hath perished? And where have the upright been cut off?
8 As I have seen -- ploughers of iniquity, And sowers of misery, reap it!
9 From the breath of God they perish, And from the spirit of His anger consumed.
10 The roaring of a lion, And the voice of a fierce lion, And teeth of young lions have been broken.
11 An old lion is perishing without prey, And the whelps of the lioness do separate.
12 And unto me a thing is secretly brought, And receive doth mine ear a little of it.
13 In thoughts from visions of the night, In the falling of deep sleep on men,
14 Fear hath met me, and trembling, And the multitude of my bones caused to fear.
15 And a spirit before my face doth pass, Stand up doth the hair of my flesh;
16 It standeth, and I discern not its aspect, A similitude `is' over-against mine eyes, Silence! and a voice I hear:
17 `Is mortal man than God more righteous? Than his Maker is a man cleaner?
18 Lo, in His servants He putteth no credence, Nor in His messengers setteth praise.'
19 Also -- the inhabitants of houses of clay, (Whose foundation `is' in the dust, They bruise them before a moth.)
20 From morning to evening are beaten down, Without any regarding, for ever they perish.
21 Hath not their excellency been removed with them? They die, and not in wisdom!
1 And Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 If a word were essayed to thee, wouldest thou be grieved? But who can refrain from speaking?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands;
4 Thy words have upholden him that was stumbling, and thou hast braced up the bending knees:
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou grievest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Hath not thy piety been thy confidence, and the perfection of thy ways thy hope?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who that was innocent has perished? and where were the upright cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plough iniquity and sow mischief, reap the same.
9 By the breath of +God they perish, and by the blast of his nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roar of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken;
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
12 Now to me a word was secretly brought, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
13 In thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men: --
14 Fear came on me, and trembling, and made all my bones to shake;
15 And a spirit passed before my face -- the hair of my flesh stood up --
16 It stood still; I could not discern the appearance thereof: a form was before mine eyes; I heard a slight murmur and a voice:
17 Shall [mortal] man be more just than +God? Shall a man be purer than his Maker?
18 Lo, he trusteth not his servants, and his angels he chargeth with folly:
19 How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed as the moth!
20 From morning to evening are they smitten: without any heeding it, they perish for ever.
21 Is not their tent-cord torn away in them? they die, and without wisdom.
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
2 "If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Behold, you have instructed many, You have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Your words have supported him who was falling, You have made firm the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come to you, and you faint; It touches you, and you are troubled.
6 Isn't your piety your confidence, The integrity of your ways your hope?
7 "Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
8 According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity, And sow trouble, Reap the same.
9 By the breath of God they perish, By the blast of his anger are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, The teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey, The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.
12 "Now a thing was secretly brought to me, My ear received a whisper of it.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men,
14 Fear came on me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still, but I couldn't discern the appearance of it; A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,
17 'Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.
19 How much more, those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!
20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it.
21 Isn't their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'
1 And Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 If one says a word, will it be a weariness to you? but who is able to keep from saying what is in his mind?
3 Truly, you have been a helper to others, and you have made feeble hands strong;
4 He who was near to falling has been lifted up by your words, and you have given strength to bent knees.
5 But now it has come on you and it is a weariness to you; you are touched by it and your mind is troubled.
6 Is not your fear of God your support, and your upright way of life your hope?
7 Have you ever seen destruction come to an upright man? or when were the god-fearing ever cut off?
8 What I have seen is that those by whom trouble has been ploughed, and evil planted, get the same for themselves.
9 By the breath of God destruction takes them, and by the wind of his wrath they are cut off.
10 Though the noise of the lion and the sounding of his voice, may be loud, the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 The old lion comes to his end for need of food, and the young of the she-lion go wandering in all directions.
12 A word was given to me secretly, and the low sound of it came to my ears.
13 In troubled thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep comes on men,
14 Fear came on me and shaking, and my bones were full of trouble;
15 And a breath was moving over my face; the hair of my flesh became stiff:
16 Something was present before me, but I was not able to see it clearly; there was a form before my eyes: a quiet voice came to my ears, saying:
17 May a man be upright before God? or a man be clean before his Maker?
18 Truly, he puts no faith in his servants, and he sees error in his angels;
19 How much more those living in houses of earth, whose bases are in the dust! They are crushed more quickly than an insect;
20 Between morning and evening they are completely broken; they come to an end for ever, and no one takes note.
21 If their tent-cord is pulled up, do they not come to an end, and without wisdom?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 4
Commentary on Job 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
Job having warmly given vent to his passion, and so broken the ice, his friends here come gravely to give vent to their judgment upon his case, which perhaps they had communicated to one another apart, compared notes upon it and talked it over among themselves, and found they were all agreed in their verdict, that Job's afflictions certainly proved him to be a hypocrite; but they did not attack Job with this high charge till by the expressions of his discontent and impatience, in which they thought he reflected on God himself, he had confirmed them in the bad opinion they had before conceived of him and his character. Now they set upon him with great fear. The dispute begins, and it soon becomes fierce. The opponents are Job's three friends. Job himself is respondent. Elihu appears, first, as moderator, and at length God himself gives judgment upon the controversy and the management of it. The question in dispute is whether Job was an honest man or no, the same question that was in dispute between God and Satan in the first two chapters. Satan had yielded it, and durst not pretend that his cursing his day was a constructive cursing of his God; no, he cannot deny but that Job still holds fast his integrity; but Job's friends will needs have it that, if Job were an honest man, he would not have been thus sorely and thus tediously afflicted, and therefore urge him to confess himself a hypocrite in the profession he had made of religion: "No,' says Job, "that I will never do; I have offended God, but my heart, notwithstanding, has been upright with him;' and still he holds fast the comfort of his integrity. Eliphaz, who, it is likely, was the senior, or of the best quality, begins with him in this chapter, in which,
By all this he aims to bring down Job's spirit and to make him both penitent and patient under his afflictions.
Job 4:1-6
In these verses,
Job 4:7-11
Eliphaz here advances another argument to prove Job a hypocrite, and will have not only his impatience under his afflictions to be evidence against him but even his afflictions themselves, being so very great and extraordinary, and there being no prospect at all of his deliverance out of them. To strengthen his argument he here lays down these two principles, which seem plausible enough:-
Job 4:12-21
Eliphaz, having undertaken to convince Job of the sin and folly of his discontent and impatience, here vouches a vision he had been favoured with, which he relates to Job for his conviction. What comes immediately from God all men will pay a particular deference to, and Job, no doubt, as much as any. Some think Eliphaz had this vision now lately, since he came to Job, putting words into his mouth wherewith to reason with him; and it would have been well if he had kept to the purport of this vision, which would serve for a ground on which to reprove Job for his murmuring, but not to condemn him as a hypocrite. Others think he had it formerly; for God did, in this way, often communicate his mind to the children of men in those first ages of the world, ch. 33:15. Probably God had sent Eliphaz this messenger and message some time or other, when he was himself in an unquiet discontented frame, to calm and pacify him. Note, As we should comfort others with that wherewith we have been comforted (2 Co. 1:4), so we should endeavour to convince others with that which has been powerful to convince us. The people of God had not then any written word to quote, and therefore God sometimes notified to them even common truths by the extraordinary ways of revelation. We that have Bibles have there (thanks be to God) a more sure word to depend upon than even visions and voices, 2 Pt. 1:19. Observe,