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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 42:10-17

You have heard of the patience of Job (says the apostle, Jas. 5:11) and have seen the end of the Lord, that is, what end the Lord, at length, put to his troubles. In the beginning of this book we had Job's patience under his troubles, for an example; here, in the close, for our encouragement to follow that example, we have the happy issue of his troubles and the prosperous condition to which he was restored after them, which confirms us in counting those happy which endure. Perhaps, too, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 42:10

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job ,.... Not literally, in such sense as Lot's captivity was turned, Genesis 14:12 ; for Job's person was not seized on and carried away, though his cattle were: nor spiritually, being delivered from the captivity of sin; that had been his case many years ago, when first converted: but it is to be understood of his restoration from afflictions and calamities to a happy state; as of the return of his substance, his health and friends, and especially of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 42:10

The Lord turned the captivity of Job - The Vulgate has: Dominus quoque conversus est ad poenitentiam Job ; "And the Lord turned Job to repentance." The Chaldee: "The Word of the Lord ( דיי מימרא meymera dayai ) turned the captivity of Job." There is a remark which these words suggest, which has been rarely, if at all, noticed. It is said that the Lord turned the captivity of Job When He Prayed for His Friends. He had suffered much through the unkindness of these friends; they had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:1-17

This concluding chapter divides into two parts. In the first part ( Job 42:1-6 ) Job makes his final submission, humbling himself in the dust before God. In the second (verses 7-17) the historical framework, in which the general dialogue is set, is resumed and brought to a close. God's approval of Job is declared, and his anger denounced against the three friends, who are required to expiate their guilt by a sacrifice, and only promised forgiveness if Job will intercede on their behalf... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:1-17

The conclusion of the drama. I. THE SETTLEMENT OF THE THIRD CONTROVERSY BETWEEN JEHOVAH AND JOB . ( Job 42:1-6 .) This controversy, it will be remembered, arose out of the intensity of Job's sufferings and the perplexity of Job's spirit, which caused him on the one hand to form too favourable an opinion of his own, and on the other hand too unfavourable an opinion of God's, righteousness; to misinterpret the facts of providence almost as egregiously as, though in an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:1-17

Commentators have generally recognized that this psalm is introductory and prefatory. Jerome says that many called it "the Preface of the Holy Ghost." Some of the Fathers did not even regard it as a psalm at all, but as a mere preface, and so reckoned the second psalm as the first (in many manuscripts of the New Testament, the reading is "first psalm" instead of "second psalm" in Acts 13:33 ). The composition is, as Hengstenberg observes, "a short compendium of tile main subject of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:7-17

Conclusion of the story. I. THE DIVINE JUSTIFICATION OF JOB . ( Job 42:7-10 .) The cure of the inward sickness of the sufferer's spirit is followed here, as we often see in the course of life, by outward health and happiness. 1 . The reproof of the friends. ( Job 42:7 .) Addressing Eliphaz, as their chief spokesman, Jehovah declares his displeasure that they have not spoken the truth concerning him. Not that they have spoken with wilful dishonesty, but that they have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:7-17

The Divine vindication of Job. The poem ends in undimmed brightness. The great ends of suffering have been answered. Job has been put to the proof and tried, and he has been found faithful. God has permitted all the joy and light of his life to be wiped out. His faithful servant of whom it was said, "There is none like him in the earth," has been subjected to the severest tests; yet, according to the Divine assertion, he has spoken of God "the thing that is right." Now he who had appeared to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:10

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job . The literal use of this phrase is common, the metaphorical use of it uncommon, in Scripture. Still, it is so simple a metaphor, and captivity so common a thing among ancient peoples, that it may well have been in general use among the nations of Western Asia from very primitive times. It signifies, as Professor Lee remarks, "a restoration to former happy circumstances.'' When he prayed for his friends. Perhaps his complete forgiveness by God was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:10

The captivity turned. I. THE REVERSAL . 1 . A true reversal. Job's troubles have come to an end. That was a long avenue of fire which he was made to pass through; but the terminus was reached at last. Man may be "born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward" ( Job 5:7 ); but he is not born to everlasting trouble. St. Paul writes of "our light affliction, which is but for a moment" ( 2 Corinthians 4:17 ). Present distress is not a presage of future evil. The very blackness... read more

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