Job 40:4

Geneva Study Bible - Job 40:4

40:4 Behold, I am {r} vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.(r) By which he shows that he repented and desired pardon for his faults. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:1-24

GOD'S CHALLENGE AND JOB'S RESPONSE (vv.1-5) Job had said that if God would only listen to him, he would present his whole case in showing how God was unfair in His dealings (ch.33:3-5). Therefore now God gives Job opportunity to do this. He asks Job, "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it" (v.2). Where were Job's arguments then? How withering were God's words to the unseemly pride of Job! He says, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 40:1-24

WORDS OF ELIHU ; WORDS OF GOD Elihu now comes forward with apparent modesty, and yet great pretensions. Young and inexperienced, he is nevertheless indignant at the manner in which the friends of Job have sought to reply to him. Professing that his views have been revealed from above, he undertakes to clear up all the difficulties in the case. Afflictions are for the good of the sufferer is his dictum, a thought which he exhibits in various lights. He, too, reflects upon Job for his... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Job 40:1-24

The Theophany Job 38-41 We have now come to the portion of the Book of Job which is known as the Theophany, or Appearance, that is to say, the appearance of the Divine Being. Let us set forth the sacred speech in its fulness and unity: 1. Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind [a voice without a form], and said, 2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3. Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4. Where wast thou when... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Job 40:3-5

(3) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (5) Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. Here is the state to which every truly regenerated and awakened soul is brought at last. Here grace triumphs, and the sinner casts himself wholly upon GOD'S sovereignty, and mercy in CHRIST. Reader, do remark with me how very graciously the LORD was now dealing with Jobadiah Here... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:1-5

1-5 Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbled, to prepare us for remarkable deliverances. After God had shown Job, by his manifest ignorance of the works of nature, how unable he was to judge of the methods and designs of Providence, he puts a convincing question to him; Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? Now Job began to melt into godly... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Job 40:1-5

Job Retracts His Charges v. 1. Moreover, since Job was still silent, the Lord answered Job and said, v. 2. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him, continue his critical attitude after all that had now been laid before him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it, giving the proper replies and explanations of all the marvels set forth. Job had censured: let him now make good his charges. v. 3. Then Job answered the Lord and said, v. 4. Behold, I am vile, too base to offer... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Job 40:1-5

The Third Stage of the DisentanglementJob 38:1 to Job 42:6JEHOVAH’S DISCOURSE.—The aim of which is to prove that the Almighty and Only Wise God, with whom no mortal man should dispute, might also ordain suffering simply to prove and test the righteous: (Second Half of the positive solution of the problem.)Job 38:1 to Job 40:5First Discourse of Jehovah (together with Job’s answer): With God, the Almighty and Only Wise, no man may dispute. Job 38:1 to Job 40:51. Introduction: The appearance of... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Job 40:1-24

“Hast Thou an Arm like God?” Job 40:1-24 God seemed to await Job’s reply to His questions. Job had protested that he would fill his mouth with arguments, but none was forthcoming. That vision of God had robbed him of self-reliance. He could only humbly acknowledge that he had uttered words enough. He must be led to the further confession, which will come presently, that he had sinned. Compare Job 42:6 . It was as though the Omniscient Eye still saw in Job some trust in himself; God... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 40:1-24

There is a pause in the unveiling as Jehovah speaks directly to His servant and asks for an answer to the things that He has said. The answer is full of suggestiveness. The man who in mighty speech and strong defiance had been of unbroken spirit in the presence of all the arguments of his friends now cried out, Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer Thee? He has learned the wisdom of, and he listens as Jehovah speaks. Again Jehovah proceeds, and He charges Job to "gird up" his... read more