Hast thou heard the secret of God? or, Hast thou been a hearer in the secret counsel of God? . No mortal man was ever admitted to the secret counsel of the Most Highest (comp. Romans 11:34 ). And dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? or, Dost thou confine ( appropriate ) wisdom to thyself? i.e. Dost thou suppose that thou art the only wise man in all the world? (comp. Job 12:2 , where Job had brought the same charge against his three friends). read more
What knowest thou, that we know not? So far as worldly wisdom went, this was probably quite true. Job was not more advanced in knowledge than Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. But he had a keener spiritual insight. He was wiser in the "wisdom which is from above." Perplexed and confused as were his thoughts concerning the Divine government of the universe, they were nearer the truth, more worthy of the Divine nature, than those of his adversaries. In his reply, without claiming any special... read more
Art thou the first man that was born? - Hast thou lived ever since the creation, and treasured up all the wisdom of past times, that thou dost now speak so arrogantly and confidently? This question was asked, because, in the estimation of Eliphaz and his friends, wisdom was supposed to be connected with long life, and with an opportunity for extended and varied observation; see Job 15:10. Job they regarded as comparatively a young man.Wast thou made before the hills - The mountains and the... read more
Hast thou heard the secret of God? - literally, “in the secret of God hast thou heard” - הסוד hasôd. The word rendered “secret” (סוד sôd) means properly a “couch” or “cushion,” on which one reclines - whether for sleep or at a table, or as a divan. Hence, it means a divan, or circle of persons sitting together for familiar conversation, Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 15:17; or of judges, counsellors, or advisers for consultation, as the word “divan” is now used in Oriental countries; Psalms 89:7;... read more
What knowest thou that we know not? - What pretensions or claims to wisdom have you which we have not? We have had, at least, equal advantages, and may be presumed to know as much as you. read more
Job 15:7-10. Art thou the first man that was born? Hast thou lived ever since the creation of the world, and treasured up the experiences of all ages in thy own breast, that thou speakest so arrogantly and magisterially, and with such contempt of other men? Art thou the most ancient and the wisest of all mortal men? Whom dost thou make thyself? S. Jarchi’s comment is, “What, wast thou born before Adam? Wast thou made before the hills? As wisdom herself was, Proverbs 8:23. Didst thou exist... read more
15:1-21:34 SECOND ROUND OF ARGUMENTEliphaz speaks (15:1-35)The three friends are offended that their collective wisdom has not humbled Job as they had hoped. They are angered that Job continues to argue with God. Therefore, in this the second round of argument they emphasize the terrors of God’s judgment, hoping that this might bring Job to repentance.Eliphaz, the least aggressive of the three, leads off again, though clearly even he is angered and offended at Job’s speech. Job claims to be a... read more
Art. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . made = brought forth. read more
Hast . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . heard = overheard. secret. Hebrew. sod = secret counsellings, used of two or more in council. GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 . secret = concealed. Hebrew. la'at. Rendered by Theodotion (R. Sept.), musterion (= secret); Aquila (R. Sept.), aporrheta (= forbidden); Symmachus (R. Sept.), homilia (= intercourse). read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Job 15:7
Art thou the first man that was born? That is, "Dost thou claim to have the wisdom of that first human intelligence, which, proceeding direct from God ( Genesis 1:27 ), was without fault or flaw—a perfect intelligence, which judged all things aright?" It is not clear that Eliphaz had ever heard of Adam; but he evidently believed in a "first man," from whom all others were descended, and he attributed to this first man a mind and intellect surpassing those of all other men. His question is,... read more