Job 4:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 4:12-21

Eliphaz, having undertaken to convince Job of the sin and folly of his discontent and impatience, here vouches a vision he had been favoured with, which he relates to Job for his conviction. What comes immediately from God all men will pay a particular deference to, and Job, no doubt, as much as any. Some think Eliphaz had this vision now lately, since he came to Job, putting words into his mouth wherewith to reason with him; and it would have been well if he had kept to the purport of this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 4:16

It stood still ,.... That is, the spirit, or the angel in a visible form; it was before going to and fro, but now it stood still right against Eliphaz, as if it had something to say to him, and so preparing him to attend to it; which he might do the better, it standing before him while speaking to him, that he might have the opportunity of taking more notice of it: but , notwithstanding this advantageous position of it: I could not discern the form thereof ; what it was, whether... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-16

An apparition. The visionary now tells the thrilling tale of his vision. He thinks that he will overawe Job with a message from one who was no mortal man. All the details and circumstances of the vision are graphically narrated, that the horror of it may add to the weight of its authority. I. THE REALITY OF THE APPARITION . There is every reason to believe that Eliphaz spoke in good faith. He does not appear before us as a deceiver, though he is certainly capable of making a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-21

Eliphaz proceeds to narrate a spiritual experience of a very strange and striking character. It was night, and he had fallen asleep, when suddenly he was, or seemed to himself to be, awake. A horrible fear came over him, and all his limbs trembled and quaked. Then a spirit seemed to pass before his face, while every hair on his body rose up and stiffened with horror. It did not simply pass across him, but stood still, in a formless form, which he could see but not clearly distinguish. There... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-21

Eliphaz to Job: 2. A message from the spirit-world. I. THE DEVOUT SEER . 1 . Reposing on his couch. A modern poet (Robert Buchanan, 'Book of Orm.,' 1.), depicting how "in the beginning, ere time grew," the beautiful Maker of all things drew around his face, which has ever since been invisible to mortal eye, the wondrous veil of the firmament, represents that face as closest pressed in the daytime, when the sky is clearest, adding that at nightfall, when the darkness deepens and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-21

The condemnation of man in presence of the Divine holiness. With a figure of great boldness and grandeur Eliphaz urges his words upon Job. He is trying to illustrate the great principle of the righteous retributions of the Divine government. In the visions of the night there appeared a spirit to pass before his face, and in the dead silence he heard a voice saying, "Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" It cannot be. And the vision of Eliphaz finds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:16

It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof. Canon Cook quotes, very appositely, Milton's representation of Death as a fearful shape, "If shape it could be called that shape had none Distinguishable in member, joint, or limb, Or substance might be called that shadow seemed." An image was before mine eyes ; or, on appearance ( LXX ; μορφή ). There was silence; or, a hush— "status aeris nullo motu turbati, et tranquillissimus" (Schulteus). And I heard a voice,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 4:16

It stood still - It took a fixed position and looked on me. It at first glided by, or toward him, then stood in an immovable position, as if to attract his attention, and to prepare him for the solemn announcement which it was about to make. This was the point in which most horror would be felt. We should be less alarmed at anything which a strange messenger should say, than to have him stand and fix his eyes steadily and silently upon us. Hence, Horatius, in “Hamlet,” tortured by the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 4:16

Job 4:16. It stood still Though it passed by me, it did not immediately disappear and vanish, but made a stand, as having some business with me, and designing to address me. But I could not discern the form thereof Namely, exactly and distinctly, so as to know what or who it was. An image was before my eyes My eyes could not be deceived. I am thoroughly satisfied there was an image which showed itself to me visibly. There was silence The spirit stood motionless; all other persons and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 4:12-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 4:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:12-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 4:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 4:16

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