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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 14:1-6

We are here led to think, I. Of the original of human life. God is indeed its great original, for he breathed into man the breath of life and in him we live; but we date it from our birth, and thence we must date both its frailty and its pollution. 1. Its frailty: Man, that is born of a woman, is therefore of few days, Job 14:1. This may refer to the first woman, who was called Eve, because she was the mother of all living. Of her, who being deceived by the tempter was first in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 14:6

Turn from him, that he may rest ,.... From this short lived afflicted man, whose days are limited, and will soon be at an end, meaning himself; not that he desires he would withdraw his gracious presence, nothing is more agreeable than this to a good man, and there is nothing he more deprecates than the withdrawing of it; besides, this was Job's case, and one part of his complaint, Job 13:24 ; nor to withhold his supporting presence, or his providential care of him, without which he could... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 14:6

Turn from him, that he may rest - Cease to try him by afflictions and distresses, that he may enjoy some of the comforts of life, before he be removed from it: and thus, like a hireling, who is permitted by his master to take a little repose in the heat of the day, from severe labor, I shall also have a breathing time from affliction, before I come to that bound over which I cannot pass. See Job 10:20 ; (note), where there is a similar request. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-6

Job to God: 2. The death-wail of humanity. I. THE WAIL OF HUMANITY IN THE EAR OF GOD . 1 . The constitutional frailty of man. Moses, in the Book of Genesis ( Genesis 1:26 ; Genesis 2:7 ), sets forth the dignity of man (Adam) as the crown of creation ( Psalms 8:6 ), as the handiwork of God ( Job 10:8 ; Psalms 100:3 ; Isaiah 15:1-9 :12), as the image of his Maker ( Genesis 9:6 ; Acts 17:29 ; 1 Corinthians 11:7 ). Job here supplies the companion picture... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-12

1. Self-defence before God: 2. Plaint of the weakness and vanity of mankind. Job's troubles are typical of the common doom of mankind—the "subjection, to vanity." And again (comp. Job 3:7 ; Job 7:1-5 ) he bursts forth into lamentation over the universal doom of sorrow. I. HIS NATURAL WEAKNESS . (Verses 1-2.) His origin is in frailty; he is "born of woman." His course is brief, and full of unrest. He sees himself mirrored in all natural things that fleet and pass: II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:1-22

This chapter, in which Job concludes the fourth of his addresses, is characterized by a tone of mild and gentle expostulation, which contrasts with the comparative vehemence and passion of the two preceding chapters. It would seem that the patriarch, having vented his feelings, experiences a certain relief, an interval of calm, in which, his own woes pressing less heavily upon him, he is content to moralize on the general condition of humanity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:6

Turn from him, that he may rest ; literally, look away from him ; i.e. "Cease to watch him and search him out so continually" (comp. Job 7:17 , Job 7:18 ). "Then he will be able to have a breathing-time, an interval of peace and rest, before his departure from the earth." What Job had previously desired for himself ( Job 10:20 ) he now asks for all humanity. Till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day . Hired labourers are glad when their day's work is over. So man rejoices... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 14:6

The day's work. Job prays that at least God will turn aside from vexing his short-lived creature, and let him finish his day's work. Then he will be no more. This is a prayer of despair, and it springs from a one-sided view of life and providence. Yet it has its significance for us. I. MAN IS GOD 'S SERVANT . He is more than the hireling, for whom a hard master cares nothing so long as he can exact the full tale of work. Still, he is the servant. We are not our own masters, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 14:6

Turn from him - - שׁעה shâ‛âh. Look away from; or turn away the eyes; Isaiah 22:4. Job had represented the Lord as looking intently upon him, and narrowly watching all his ways. He now asks him that he would look away and suffer him to be alone, and to spend the little time he had in comfort and peace.That he may rest - Margin, “Cease.” “Let him be ceased from” - ויחדל veychâdal. The idea is not that of rest, but it is that of having God cease to afflict him; or, in other words, leaving him... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 14:5-6

Job 14:5-6 . Seeing his days are determined Limited to a certain period. The number of his months is with thee Exactly known to thee, and in thy power and disposal. Thou hast appointed his bounds, &c. Thou hast appointed a certain end of his days, beyond which he cannot prolong his life. Turn from him, that he may rest Withdraw thine afflicting hand from him, that he may have some present ease and comfort. Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day Give him some respite... read more

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