Job 23:17 NLT,NIV,ESV

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 23:1-17

THIRD SERIES OF THE DEBATE 1. With Eliphaz (chaps. 22-24) a. Speech of Eliphaz (chap. 22) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 23-24) 2. With Bildad (chaps. 25-26) a. Speech of Bildad (chap. 25) b. Reply of Job (chap. 26) 3. With Zophar (chaps. 27-31) a. Continuation of the reply of Job (chaps. 27-31) The last speech Eliphaz makes, chapter 22, is a grand effort to refute Job based upon the latter’s appeal to facts. There is more severity in it than he has shown before. He charges Job with cruelty,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Job 23:1-17

Job's Review of the Controversy Job 23:0 With the exception of a short interruption by Bildad, the Shuhite, the great conference is at an end. In the twenty-third and through several succeeding chapters, Job conducts a very striking and instructive colloquy. The three comforters have practically said all they have to say, and they have left Job very much as they found him. They have eloquently expressed all that they knew of the way and purpose of God. And we must not hold them guilty of... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Job 23:13-17

(13) ¶ But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. (14) For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. (15) Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. (16) For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: (17) Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face. Job here falls back again into somewhat of his former... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Job 23:17

REFLECTIONS READER, I cannot beg a greater blessing from our gracious Covenant GOD in CHRIST, either for you or for myself, than that a Spirit of grace may be poured out upon us both, to lead us with similar breathings of soul, and earnest desires of spirit, for drawing near to the footstool of the mercy seat, which Job here desired to approach. Depend upon it, the nearest and sweetest communion believers have with GOD, rests upon this very method, when their whole souls are going forth, in... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Job 23:17

Face. My afflictions have not yet taken away my life, as might have been expected. (Haydock) --- I am less affected with my miseries, than with the dread of God's presence, ver. 15, 16. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Job 23:13-17

13-17 As Job does not once question but that his trials are from the hand of God, and that there is no such thing as chance, how does he account for them? The principle on which he views them is, that the hope and reward of the faithful servants of God are only laid up in another life; and he maintains that it is plain to all, that the wicked are not treated according to their deserts in this life, but often directly the reverse. But though the obtaining of mercy, the first-fruits of the Spirit... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Job 23:8-17

Job Despairs of Finding Vindication in this Life v. 8. Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; whether he goes to the east or to the west, he cannot find the judgment-seat of God, and so the joyful prospect which just opened hopefully before him is again swept away; v. 9. on the left hand, that is, to the North, where He doth work, where His activity is evident, but I cannot behold Him; He hideth Himself on the right hand, turning to the south, ... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Job 23:1-17

B.—Job: Seeing that God withdraws Himself from him, and that moreover His allotment of men’s destinies on earth is in many ways most unequal, the incomprehensibleness of His ways may hence be inferred, as well as the short-sightedness and one-sidedness of the external theory of retribution held by the friendsJob 23-241. The wish for a judicial decision of God in his favor is repeated, but is repressed by the thought that God intentionally withdraws from him, in order that He may not be obliged... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Job 23:1-17

“He Knoweth the Way That I Take” Job 23:1-17 This chapter is threaded by a sublime faith. Job admitted that his complaint seemed rebellious, but God’s hand had been heavy on him. From the misunderstandings of his friends, he longs for the calm, holy presence of God Himself. It seemed as if nothing would content the sufferer but a personal audience with the Almighty. He felt that he could plead his cause there without fear. He was sure that his Almighty Judge would not contend against him... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 23:1-17

In answer to Eliphaz, ob took no notice of the terrible charges made against him. That is postponed to a later speech. Rather, he discussed Eliphai conception of his view of God as being absent from the affairs of men, and boldly affirmed his own consciousness of the great problem. As to his own case, he admitted that his complaint was accounted rebellious because his stroke was heavier than his groaning. He sighed after God, and principally for His judgment seat. He would fain stand before... read more