Job 19:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 19:23-29

In all the conferences between Job and his friends we do not find any more weighty and considerable lines than these; would one have expected it? Here is much both of Christ and heaven in these verses: and he that said such things as these declared plainly that he sought the better country, that is, the heavenly; as the patriarchs of that age did, Heb. 11:14. We have here Job's creed, or confession of faith. His belief in God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 19:24

That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! Or "that they were written with an iron pen and lead, that they were cut or hewn out in a rock for ever"; not with both an iron and leaden pen, or pencil; for the marks of the latter are not durable, and much less could it be used on a rock according to our version; but the sense seems to be, that they might be written with an iron pen, which was used in writing, Jeremiah 17:1 ; upon a sheet of lead, as the Vulgate Latin... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 19:24

Iron pen and lead - Some suppose that the meaning of this place is this: the iron pen is the chisel by which the letters were to be deeply cut in the stone or rock; and the lead was melted into those cavities in order to preserve the engraving distinct. But this is not so natural a supposition as what is stated above; that Job refers to the different kinds of writing or perpetuating public events, used in his time: and the quotations from Pliny and Pausanias confirm the opinion already... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 19:1-29

Job begins his answer to Bildad's second speech by an expostulation against the unkindness of his friends, who break him in pieces, and torture him, with their reproaches (verses 1-5). He then once more, and more plainly than on any other occasion, recounts his woes. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 19:1-29

Unconquerable convictions. Job feels bitterly hurt by the speeches of Eliphaz and Bildad, and pleads, in face of their harsh constructions, for compassion in his unutterable sufferings. At the same time, he raises himself to bolder confidence in God's help than ever before. He expresses the definite hope that, if not on this side the grave, then on the other side, a justification awaits him by the personal appearance of God. I. INTRODUCTION : INDIGNANT CENSURE OF HIS FRIENDS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 19:23-29

Job to Bildad: 2. The inscription on the rock; of Job's faith in a redeemer. I. THE PREFACE TO THE INSCRIPTION ; OR , THE FERVENT WISH OF A DYING MAN . 1 . The culture of Job ' s times. The origin of writing is lost in the mists of antiquity. The earliest known mode of writing was by means of a sharp-pointed instrument—stylus, or engraving tool, made of iron or steel. The first materials used for writing on were leaves of trees, skins, linen cloths, metal or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 19:23-29

The Divine Vindicator. Job awaits a final "judgment," of which he reminds his friends (verse 29). At present he is the accused one; and all appearances go to condemn him. True, his "record is on high." He knows that he has held fast his integrity. But he looks forward to a final vindication. He would, therefore, have his words "written," "printed in a book," "graven with an iron pen and lead in the rook for ever." This is the final cry of the consciously upright one. It is the triumph of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 19:24

That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! A peculiar kind of rock-inscription, of which, so far as I know, no specimens remain, appears to be here alluded to. Job wished the characters of his record to be cut deep into the rock with an iron chisel, and the incision made to be then filled up with lead (compare the mediaeval "brasses"). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 19:24

That they were graven - Cut in, or sculptured - as is done on stones. That they might become thus a permanent record.With an iron pen - A stylus, or an engraving tool - for so the word (עט ‛êṭ) means. The instrument formerly used for writing or engraying was a small, sharp-pointed piece of iron or steel, that was employed to mark on lead or stone - somewhat in the form of small graying tools now. When the writing was on wax, the instrument was made with a flat head, that it could be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 19:23-24

Job 19:23-24. O that my words were now written! Either, 1st, All his foregoing discourses with his friends, which he was so far from disowning or being ashamed of, that he was desirous all ages should know them, that they might judge between him and them, and decide whose cause was better, and whose arguments were stronger: or, rather, 2d, The words which he was now about to speak, containing a remarkable confession of his faith. O that they were printed in a book! Or, rather, inserted, ... read more

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