Which commandeth the sun - Obscures it either with clouds, with thick darkness, or with an eclipse. Sealeth up the stars - Like the contents of a letter, wrapped up and sealed, so that it cannot be read. Sometimes the heavens become as black as ebony, and no star, figure, or character, in this great book of God can be read. read more
And treadeth upon the waves - This is a very majestic image. God not only walks upon the waters, but when the sea runs mountains high, he steps from billow to billow in his almighty and essential majesty. There is a similar sentiment in David, Psalm 29:10 ; : "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever." But both are far outdone by the Psalmist, Psalm 18:9-15 , and especially in these words, Psalm 18:10 , He did fly on the wings of the wind. Job is great, but... read more
Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south - For this translation the original words are תמן והדרי וכימה כסיל עש עשה oseh ash , kesil , vechimah vehadrey theman , which are thus rendered by the Septuagint: Ὁ ποιων Πλειαδα, και Ἑσπερον, και Αρκτουρον, και ταμεια νοτου ; "Who makes the Pleiades, and Hesperus, and Arcturus, and Orion, and the chambers of the south." The Vulgate, Qui facit Arcturum, et Oriona, et Hyadas, et interiora Austri ; "Who... read more
Great things past finding out - Great things without end; wonders without number - Targum. read more
Job to Bildad: 1. Bildad's theology refuted. I. AN IRONICAL CONCESSION . "I know that it is so of a truth." The doctrine propounded by Bildad ( Job 8:3 ), that in God's dealings with mankind such a thing as either a perversion or miscarriage of justice was impossible, Job in a certain sense allows. Abstractly considered, the sentiment was one which Job cheerfully admitted. As expounded by Bildad, that the Divine government of the world was one of visible retributive justice, he... read more
A gospel outline. I. A SUBLIME TRUTH . Them is no unrighteousness with God ( Job 9:1 ), in either: 1 . Permitting sin. ( Psalms 92:5 .) 2 . Afflicting man. ( Deuteronomy 8:5 .) 3 . Saving the penitent. ( Romans 3:26 ; 1 John 1:9 .) 4 . Punishing the wicked . ( Romans 3:5 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:6 .) II. A MELANCHOLY FACT . It is impossible for man to establish his righteousness before God ( Job 9:2 ), his guiltiness being: 1 . Declared... read more
Man unable to answer to God. Job resumes. He knows, as truly as does Bildad, that God doth not pervert justice. His work is always right, while man is erring, vain, and sinful. How shall the creature "answer" to the Creator? Were the Holy One to condescend to enter into controversy with his frail creature man, the poor sinner would be dumb. Out of the mouth, even of the guilty, God would extort the confession of his own righteousness, and by his manifested glory compel the proud and... read more
Job, in answer to Bildad, admits the truth of his arguments, but declines to attempt the justification which can alone entitle him to accept the favourable side of Bildad's alternative. Man cannot absolutely justify himself before God. It is in vain to attempt to do so. The contest is too unequal. On the one side perfect wisdom and absolute strength (verse 4); on the other, weakness, imperfection, ignorance. guilt (verses 17-20). And no "daysman," or umpire, between them; no third party to... read more
God viewed as absolute and arbitrary Power. I. THE HELPLESSNESS OF MAN IN PRESENCE OF HIS OMNIPOTENCE . ( Job 9:1-3 .) What avails right on one's side against him who has all heaven's artillery at his command? "It is idle to argue with the Master of thirty legions." Out of a thousand questions with which the Almighty might overwhelm my mind, there is not one which I could answer with the chance of a fair hearing. Indeed, this in a sense is true, as the thirty-eighth... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 9:6
The pillars thereof tremble - This also refers to an earthquake, and to that tremulous motion which sometimes gives warning of the approaching catastrophe, and from which this violent convulsion of nature has received its name. Earthquakes, in Scripture language, signify also violent commotions and disturbances in states; mountains often signify rulers; sun, empires; stars, petty states. But it is most likely that the expressions here are to be understood literally. read more