Job 16:12-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 16:20

My friends scorn me ,.... Not that they scoffed at his afflictions and calamities, and at his diseases and disorders, that would have been very brutish and inhuman, but at his words, the arguments and reasons he made use of to defend himself with, see Job 12:4 ; but mine eye poureth out tears unto God ; in great plenty, because of his very great sorrows and distresses, both inward and outward; and it was his mercy, that when his friends slighted and neglected him, yea, bore hard... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 16:21

Oh that one might plead for a man with God ,.... That is, that one might be appointed and allowed to plead with God on his account; or that he be admitted to plead with God for himself; or however, that there might be a hearing of his case before God, and that he would decide the thing in controversy between him and his friends, when he doubted not but it would be given on his side: as a man pleadeth for his neighbour ; using great freedom, and powerful arguments, and having no dread... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 16:22

When a few years are come ,.... As the years of man's life are but few at most, and Job's years, which were yet to come, still fewer in his apprehension; or "years of number" F13 שנות מספר "anni numeri", Montanus, Vatablus, Bolducius; "numbered days", Broughton; so Tigurine version. , that are numbered by God, fixed and determined by him, Job 14:5 ; or being few are easily numbered: then I shall go the way whence I shall not return ; that is, go the way of all flesh, a long... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:13

His archers compass me - רביו rabbaiv "his great ones." The Vulgate and Septuagint translate this his spears; the Syriac, Arabic, and Chaldee, his arrows. On this and the following verse Mr. Heath observes: "The metaphor is here taken from huntsmen: first, they surround the beast; then he is shot dead; his entrails are next taken out; and then his body is broken up limb by limb." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:15

I have sewed sackcloth - שק sak , a word that has passed into almost all languages, as I have already had occasion to notice in other parts of this work. Defiled my horn in the dust - The horn was an emblem of power; and the metaphor was originally taken from beasts, such as the urus, wild ox, buffalo, or perhaps the rhinoceros, who were perceived to have so much power in their horns. Hence a horn was frequently worn on crowns and helmets, as is evident on ancient coins; and to this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:16

On my eyelids is the shadow of death - Death is now fast approaching me; already his shadow is projected over me. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:17

Not for any injustice - I must assert, even with my last breath, that the charges of my friends against me are groundless. I am afflicted unto death, but not on account of my iniquities. Also my prayer is pure - I am no hypocrite, God knoweth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:18

O earth, cover not thou my blood - This is evidently an allusion to the murder of Abel, and the verse has been understood in two different ways: Job here calls for justice against his destroyers. His blood is his life, which he considers as taken away by violence, and therefore calls for vengeance. Let my blood cry against my murderers, as the blood of Abel cried against Cain. My innocent life is taken away by violence, as his innocent life was; as therefore the earth was not permitted to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:19

My witness is in heaven - I appeal to God for my innocence. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:20

My friends scorn me - They deride and insult me, but my eye is towards God; I look to him to vindicate my cause. read more

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