Job 1:1-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:1

In the land of Uz - This country was situated in Idumea, or the land of Edom, in Arabia Petraea, of which it comprised a very large district. See the preface. Whose name was Job - The original is איוב Aiyob ; and this orthography is followed by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. From the Vulgate we borrow Job, not very dissimilar from the Ιωβ Iob of the Septuagint. The name signifies sorrowful, or he that weeps. He is supposed to have been called Jobab. See more in the preface. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:3

His substance also was seven thousand sheep - A thousand, says the Chaldee, for each of his sons. Three thousand camels: a thousand for each of his daughters. Five hundred yoke of oxen for himself. And five hundred she-asses for his wife. Thus the Targum divides the substance of this eminent man. A very great household - מאד רבה עבדה abuddah rabbah meod , "a very great estate." The word עבדה abuddah refers chiefly to husbandry, including all manner of labor in the field, with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:4

Feasted in their houses, every one his day - It is likely that a birthday festival is here intended. When the birthday of one arrived, he invited his brothers and sisters to feast with him; and each observed the same custom. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:5

When the days of their feasting were gone about - At the conclusion of the year, when the birthday of each had been celebrated, the pious father appears to have gathered them all together, that the whole family might hold a feast to the Lord, offering burnt-offerings in order to make an atonement for sins of all kinds, whether presumptuous or committed through ignorance. This we may consider as a general custom among the godly in those ancient times. And cursed God in their hearts - ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:6

There was a day when the sons of God - All the versions, and indeed all the critics, are puzzled with the phrase sons of God; האלהים בני beney haelohim , literally, sons of the God, or sons of the gods. The Vulgate has simply filii dei , sons of God. The Septuagint, οἱ αγγελοι του θεου , the angels of God. The Chaldee, מלאכיא כתי kittey malachaiya , troops of angels. The Syriac retains the Hebrew words and letters, only leaving out the demonstrative ה he in the word האלהים ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:7

From going to and fro in the earth - The translation of the Septuagint is curious: Περιελθων την γην και εμπεριπατησας την ὑππ ' ουρανον, παρειμι ; "Having gone round the earth, and walked over all that is under heaven, I am come hither." The Chaldee says, "I am come from going round the earth to examine the works of the children of men; and from walking through it." Coverdale, who generally hits the sense, translates thus: I have gone aboute the londe ond walked thorow it. Mr. Good... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:1

There was a man . This opening presents to us the Book of Job as a detached work, separate from and independent of all others. The historical books are generally united each to each by the you connective. In the land of Us. Uz, or Huz (Hebrew, עוּץ ), seems to have been originally, like Judah, Moab, Ammon, Edom, etc; the name of a man. It was borne by a son of Nahor, the brother of Abraham ( Genesis 22:21 ), and again by a son of Dishan, the son of Seir the Horite ( Genesis 36:28 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:1

Job. The Book of Job opens with a description of its hero. The portrait is drawn with the few swift, strong strokes of a master-hand. We have first the outer man and then the inner—first Job as he was known to any casual observer, and then Job as he was seen by the more thoughtful and penetrating, i.e. as he was in his true self. I. THE OUTER MAN . 1 . A man. Job first appears before us as a man. 2 . A Gentile. Job was of "the land of Uz"—a Syrian or an Arab. Yet his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:1-5

The hero of the poem. I. THE PATRIARCH 'S NAME . Job. 1 . Historical . Not fictitious, but real ( Ezekiel 14:14 ; James 5:11 ). Even if the Book of Job proceeded from the brilliant Solomnnic period, the person of Job must be looked for in remote patriarchal times. 2 . Significant. Meaning "Persecuted," or "Repenting,' if not better connected with a root denoting "joyous exultation." Scripture names are frequently suggestive of traits in character ( e.g. Jacob, Peter,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:1-5

Job. I. AN ORIENTAL PRINCE . II. A WEALTHY MAN . III. AN EMINENT SAINT . IV. A GODLY PARENT . V. A SACRIFICING PRIEST . read more

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