Job 16:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 16:17-22

Job's condition was very deplorable; but had he nothing to support him, nothing to comfort him? Yes, and he here tells us what it was. I. He had the testimony of his conscience for him that he had walked uprightly, and had never allowed himself in any gross sin. None was ever more ready than he to acknowledge his sins of infirmity; but, upon search, he could not charge himself with any enormous crime, for which he should be made more miserable than other men, Job 16:17. 1. He had kept a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 16:20

My friends scorn me ,.... Not that they scoffed at his afflictions and calamities, and at his diseases and disorders, that would have been very brutish and inhuman, but at his words, the arguments and reasons he made use of to defend himself with, see Job 12:4 ; but mine eye poureth out tears unto God ; in great plenty, because of his very great sorrows and distresses, both inward and outward; and it was his mercy, that when his friends slighted and neglected him, yea, bore hard... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:20

My friends scorn me - They deride and insult me, but my eye is towards God; I look to him to vindicate my cause. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:1-22

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:1-22

Deep dejection and irrepressible hope. In this reply Job refuses to make a direct rejoinder to the attack upon him; he is too utterly bowed down in his weakness. But— I. The first part of his speech consists of A BITTER SARCASM UPON THE IDLE TALK OF HIS FRIENDS . (Verses 1-5.) Their speeches are useless. They mean to comfort ( Job 15:11 ); but their reasonings produce an opposite effect on his mind. They should cease; there must he something ailing those who are thus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:18-22

Job to God: 2. An appeal to God against God. I. A SUBLIME INVOCATION . "O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place!" (verse 18). 1 . The explanation of the language. The allusion seems to be to Genesis 4:10 , where the blood of Abel is represented as crying to God from the ground for vengeance upon its destroyer; and Job, in the lofty consciousness of his innocence, while momentarily anticipating death, calls upon the earth not to drink up his blood, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:19-20

The appeal of innocence to the highest tribunal. Job now turns from man to God. He has the assurance of faith—the full assurance which faith gives- that God will requite the injured and justify the pure. Man's judgment is imperfect. He sees only the outboard circumstance; God looketh upon the heart. To him who knoweth all things Job turns; and to God his "eye poureth out tears." Before man can commit his cause to God with confidence the following is needful— I. A THOROUGH CONVICTION ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:19-20

The Witness in heaven. Job turns from man to God. On earth he is misjudged, but in heaven there is One who sees all, and can witness both his woe and his integrity. More than this; he turns from God as the source of his calamity to God as his Saviour. Dr. S. Cox has pointed out that Job has here made a great discovery. He has found a higher God, a God of love, above the God who torments. Or rather, he has seen the true God above the false, conventional idea of God. To this God he appeals as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:20

My friends scorn me ; literally, my scorners are my companions ; i.e. I have to live with those who scorn me (comp. Job 30:1-13 ). But mine eye poureth out tears unto God . It is not to his "friends" or "companions," or "comforters," or any human aid, that Job turns in his distress. God alone is his Refuge. Forced by his woes to pass his time in weeping and mourning (see verse 16), it is to God that his heart turns, to God that he "pours out his tears." Hardly as he thinks God to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 16:20

My friends scorn me - Margin “are my scorners.” That is, his friends had him in derision and mocked him, and he could only appeal with tears to God.Mine eye poureth out tears unto God - Despised and mocked by his friends, he made his appeal to one who he knew would regard him with compassion. This shows that the heart of Job was substantially right. Notwithstanding, all his passionate exclamations; and notwithstanding, his expressions, when he was urged on by his sorrows to give vent to... read more

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