21 O that one might plead H3198 for a man H1397 with God, H433 as a man H120 pleadeth for his neighbour! H1121 H7453
Oh that H5414 one would hear H8085 me! behold, my desire H8420 is, that the Almighty H7706 would answer H6030 me, and that mine adversary H376 H7379 had written H3789 a book. H5612
Then call H7121 thou, and I will answer: H6030 or let me speak, H1696 and answer H7725 thou me.
Oh that H5414 I knew H3045 where I might find H4672 him! that I might come H935 even to his seat! H8499 I would order H6186 my cause H4941 before H6440 him, and fill H4390 my mouth H6310 with arguments. H8433 I would know H3045 the words H4405 which he would answer H6030 me, and understand H995 what he would say H559 unto me. Will he plead H7378 against H5978 me with his great H7230 power? H3581 No; but he would put H7760 strength in me. There the righteous H3477 might dispute H3198 with him; so should I be delivered H6403 for ever H5331 from my judge. H8199
Moreover the LORD H3068 answered H6030 Job, H347 and said, H559 Shall he that contendeth H7378 with the Almighty H7706 instruct H3250 him? he that reproveth H3198 God, H433 let him answer H6030 it. Then Job H347 answered H6030 the LORD, H3068 and said, H559 Behold, I am vile; H7043 what shall I answer H7725 thee? I will lay H7760 mine hand H3027 upon H3926 my mouth. H6310 Once H259 have I spoken; H1696 but I will not answer: H6030 yea, twice; H8147 but I will proceed no further. H3254
That which hath been is named H7121 H8034 already, H3528 and it is known H3045 that it is man: H120 neither may H3201 he contend H1777 with him that is mightier H8623 than he.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 16
Commentary on Job 16 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 16
This chapter begins Job's reply to that discourse of Eliphaz which we had in the foregoing chapter; it is but the second part of the same song of lamentation with which he had before bemoaned himself, and is set to the same melancholy tune.
Job 16:1-5
Both Job and his friends took the same way that disputants commonly take, which is to undervalue one another's sense, and wisdom, and management. The longer the saw of contention is drawn the hotter it grows; and the beginning of this sort of strife is as the letting forth of water; therefore leave it off before it be meddled with. Eliphaz had represented Job's discourses as idle, and unprofitable, and nothing to the purpose; and Job here gives his the same character. Those who are free in passing such censures must expect to have them retorted; it is easy, it is endless: but cui bono?-what good does it do? It will stir up men's passions, but will never convince their judgments, nor set truth in a clear light. Job here reproves Eliphaz,
Job 16:6-16
Job's complaint is here as bitter as any where in all his discourses, and he is at a stand whether to smother it or to give it vent. Sometimes the one and sometimes the other is a relief to the afflicted, according as the temper or the circumstances are; but Job found help by neither, v. 6.
Here is a doleful representation of Job's grievances. O what reason have we to bless God that we are not making such complaints! He complains,
Job 16:17-22
Job's condition was very deplorable; but had he nothing to support him, nothing to comfort him? Yes, and he here tells us what it was.