Job 9:1-35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:7

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not ,.... Either he could do it if he would, by a word speaking, as he ordered it to stand still in the times of Joshua, Joshua 10:13 , and caused the shadow to return ten degrees it had gone back in the dial of Ahaz, in the times of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20:11 ; or else the sense is, it rises not at any other time and place but when and where he commands it; or he commands it not to rise in the same place at one time of the year as at another, and it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:8

Which alone spreadeth out the heavens ,.... The expanse, or what we commonly translate "firmament"; but has its name in the Hebrew language from its being expanded, spread, and stretched out, over the earth and all around it; and seems chiefly to design the ether or atmosphere, which is a fine thin matter and substance spread around us, and which is sometimes spread with clouds; this is said to be stretched out like a curtain and a tent to dwell in, tents being made of curtains spread out, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:9

Which maketh Arcturus ,.... By which is meant not a single star, but a collection of stars, as Bar Tzemach and Ben Melech, a constellation; hence we read of Arcturus and his sons, Job 38:32 . Aben Ezra understands it of the seven stars, but these are thought to be meant by the Pleiades, later mentioned; this constellation is about the Arctic or northern pole, in the tail of the Bear, appears in the beginning of September, and brings stormy weather, when winter is at hand F8 Sophoclis... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:10

Which doth great things past finding out ,.... In heaven and earth; great as to quantity and quality, not to be thoroughly searched out so as to tell their numbers, nor explain and express the nature of them to the full; even what he has done, and does in creation, providence, and grace: yea, and wonders without number ; such as are amazing to men, who cannot account for them, and so many that they cannot number them. The same things are said by Eliphaz; see Gill on Job 5:9 ; and which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:11

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not ,.... This is expressive of the invisibility of God; for though the angels in heaven always behold his face, and men, in the works of creation, may see his eternal power and Godhead, and other perfections of it displayed therein; and saints by faith have a comfortable and delightful view of him, of his countenance, his love, grace and mercy in his word and ordinances, and especially in the face and person of Christ, the image of the invisible God, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:12

Behold, he taketh away ,.... There are some things God never takes away from his people; he never takes away his love from them, he always rests in that towards them, let them be in what condition they will; he never takes away his grace from them, when once bestowed on them, or wrought in them; he never takes away his special gifts of grace, particularly the unspeakable gift of his son Christ Jesus, which is that good part, when chosen, which shall not be taken away; nor any of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:13

If God will not withdraw his anger ,.... Or "God will not withdraw his anger" F13 אלוה לא ישיב אפו "Deus non revocabit furorem suum", Pagninus, Beza. ; he is angry, or at least seems to be angry with his own people, in their apprehension, when he afflicts them and hides his face from them, or does not immediately appear to their relief and assistance; but this does not always last, he does not retain or keep anger for ever; but shows great mercies to them, and with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:14

How much less shall I answer him ,.... Who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, and has done and does the many things before related; who is invisible, passes by, and onwards insensibly; so that there is no knowing where to speak to him, or how to guard against him, since he can come on on every side, at an unawares, and unseen; and who is a sovereign Being, who can do, and does, whatever he pleases; and therefore there is no such thing as disputing any point with him, or calling him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:15

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer ,.... This is not to be understood of the righteousness of his cause, that Job made no supposition of, but strongly asserted and determined to hold it fast as long as he lived; nor of his evangelic righteousness, the righteousness of faith he was acquainted with, even the righteousness of his living Redeemer, by which he knew he was, and should be, justified; and by which righteousness he could and did answer God, as every believer may,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:16

If I had called, and he had answered me ,.... Mr. Broughton reads the words, "if I cry, will he answer me?" as if Job had some doubt upon his mind whether God would vouchsafe to answer him, though he should make his supplication to him, as he proposed; seeing he had so sorely afflicted him, and still continued his hand upon him; or the words may be rendered, "though I have called, and he has answered" F17 אם קראתי ויענני "etiamsi clamavi et respondit mihi", Schmidt. , in times... read more

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