Job 40:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 40:3-5

Job 40:3-5 . Then Job answered Job, whose confusion had made him silent, at length answered with great humility, and said, Behold I am vile I am a mean, sinful, and wretched creature, and not worthy to speak unto thy majesty; nor do I know what to answer. I will lay my hand upon my mouth I will, for the future, check and suppress all passionate thoughts that may arise in my mind, and, by keeping my mouth, as it were, with a bridle, will prevent them from breaking out in intemperate... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 40:1-14

A direct challenge (40:1-14)God now challenges Job to present his arguments (40:1-2). Although God’s speech has not specifically dealt with the problem of Job’s suffering, Job has no argument to present. God has not solved Job’s intellectual problems, nor has he confirmed or denied the theories of the three friends. He has said nothing against Job, but he has shown Job that people cannot expect to understand everything about the activity of God in the complex world he has made. Job is sorry for... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 40:4

I am vile. This is true wisdom. This is "the end of the Lord" (James 5:11 ), and the "end" of this whole book. what . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . lay mine hand, &c. Symbolic of silence and submission. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 40:4

4. I am (too) vile (to reply). It is a very different thing to vindicate ourselves before God, from what it is before men. Job could do the latter, not the former. lay . . . hand . . . upon . . . mouth—I have no plea to offer (Job 21:5; Judges 18:19). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 40:3-5

2. Job’s first reply to God 40:3-5Earlier in the book Job had hesitated to confront God (Job 9:14). Gradually he became more confident and demanded an audience with God (Job 13:22 a). Still later, he spoke almost as God’s equal, boasting that he would approach God as a prince (Job 31:37). Now, having discovered his own "insignificance" (Job 40:4), he had nothing more to say to God (Job 40:5). God had humbled him. Job felt no need to speak more since he had repeated himself earlier (Job 40:5;... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:1-5

A short dialogue between the Almighty and Job, ending in the latter’s confession and submission.2. Cox renders, ’Is he who contended with the Almighty corrected? Let him who disputed with God reply.’4. Vile] RV ’of small account.’ Job confesses that in view of these marvellous works of God, it was presumption to think of criticising His actions. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:1-24

The Speeches of the AlmightyWhen the human debate was over, and Job had proudly asserted his readiness to confront God, conscious of his innocence (Job 31:35-37), there was nothing left, if the contest was to be decided, except a direct intervention of God. This Job had himself again and again demanded. He had challenged God to meet him and justify the treatment He accorded to him. He complains bitterly that God evades him, and lets him suffer, though He knows that he is innocent. Now at last... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 40:1-24

Job 40:4 All through the book of Job the question, how this can be, is over and over again asked, and never answered; inadequate solutions are offered and repelled, but an adequate solution is never reached. The only solution reached is that of silence before the insoluble: 'I will lay my hand upon my mouth'. Matthew Arnold. Job 40:11-12 This, says Lucretius (v. 1231 f), is Nature's prerogative and function: 'So doth some hidden power trample ever on things human, seeming to tread under foot... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 40:1-24

XXVIII.THE RECONCILIATIONJob 38:1 - Job 42:6THE main argument of the address ascribed to the Almighty is contained in chapters 38 and 39 and in the opening verses of chapter 42. Job makes submission and owns his fault in doubting the faithfulness of Divine providence. The intervening passage containing descriptions of the great animals of the Nile is scarcely in the same high strain of poetic art or on the same high level of cogent reasoning. It seems rather of a hyperbolical kind, suggesting... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 40:1-24

CHAPTER 40 1. The answer demanded (Job 40:1-2 ) 2. Job’s answer (Job 40:3-5 ) 3. Jehovah’s appeal to Job (Job 40:6-14 ) 4. Behold behemoth! (Job 40:15-24 ) Job 40:1-3 . Now comes the direct word of Jehovah out of the storm-cloud to Job. He addresses him as “he that reproveth God.” He had contended with the Almighty and now the Almighty Job had judged faces him and demands an answer. Let him answer. Job 40:3-5 . And Job answers; and what an answer it is! It is the answer for which God... read more