4 I also, like you, might speak, If your soul were in my soul's stead. I might join against you with words, And nod at you with my head.
And I -- I have been a reproach to them, They see me, they shake their head.
All beholding me do mock at me, They make free with the lip -- shake the head,
To make their land become a desolation, A hissing age-during, Every passer by it is astonished, And bemoaneth with his head.
this `is' the word that Jehovah spake concerning him: `Trampled on thee -- laughed at thee, Hath the virgin daughter of Zion Behind thee shaken the head -- Hath the daughter of Jerusalem?
and whether one member doth suffer, suffer with `it' do all the members, or one member is glorified, rejoice with `it' do all the members;
to rejoice with the rejoicing, and to weep with the weeping,
O that my provocation were thoroughly weighed, And my calamity in balances They would lift up together! For now, than the sands of the sea it is heavier, Therefore my words have been rash. For arrows of the Mighty `are' with me, Whose poison is drinking up my spirit. Terrors of God array themselves `for' me! Brayeth a wild ass over tender grass? Loweth an ox over his provender?
This `is' the exulting city that is dwelling confidently, That is saying in her heart, `I `am', and beside me there is none,' How hath she been for a desolation, A crouching-place for beasts, Every one passing by her doth hiss, He doth shake his hand!
In the abundance of words transgression ceaseth not, And whoso is restraining his lips `is' wise.
Thou makest us a simile among nations, A shaking of the head among peoples.
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.