Job 4:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 4:1-6

In these verses, I. Eliphaz excuses the trouble he is now about to give to Job by his discourse (Job 4:2): ?If we assay a word with thee, offer a word of reproof and counsel, wilt thou be grieved and take it ill?? We have reason to fear thou wilt; but there is no remedy: ?Who can refrain from words?? Observe, 1. With what modesty he speaks of himself and his own attempt. He will not undertake the management of the cause alone, but very humbly joins his friends with him: ?We will commune with... read more

John Gill

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

Thy words have up, holden him that was falling ,.... Or "stumbling" F13 כושל "offendentem", Cocceius; "impingentem", Drusius, Schmidt, Schultens, Michaelis. ; that was stumbling at the providence of God in suffering good men to be afflicted, and wicked men to prosper; which has been the stumbling block of God's people in all ages; see Psalm 73:2 ; or that was stumbling and falling off from the true religion by reason of the revilings and reproaches of men, and their persecutions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-6

The teacher tested. Throughout the words of Job's friends many truths are to be found both accurately stated and beautifully illustrated; but in many cases—almost generally—a wrong application of them is made. The friends designing to be comforters do, through imperfect views of the mystery of human suffering, indeed become accusers, and make the burden heavier which they proposed to lighten. But the words now under consideration are perfectly true. He who had formerly been the instructor of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-11

Eliphaz to Job: the opening of the second controversy: 1. The relation of suffering to sin. I. A COURTEOUS EXORDIUM . Eliphaz, the oldest and wisest of the friends, adopts an apologetic strain in replying to Job's imprecation, representing the task assumed by him as: 1 . Painful to Job ; which it certainly was. In circumstances even the most favourable, it requires no little grace to receive admonition with equanimity; not to speak of counting it a kindness and esteeming it an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-11

Eliphaz and Job: forgotten truths called to mind. However misapplied to his particular case may have been the speeches of Job's friends, there can be no dispute concerning the purity and the sublimity of the great truths for which they here appear as spokesmen. If not well directed to Job, they may be well directed to us. Each of the friends represents a certain aspect of the truths which relate man to God. In the speech of Eliphaz the main position taken is that man, in his ignorance and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:3-5

The teacher at fault. After one brief word of apology for breaking the seemly silence of mourning, Eliphaz plunges in medias res , and at once commences to reproach Job by reminding him of his former conduct, and contrasting his present state with it as an evidence of glaring inconsistency. Job could teach others how to conduct themselves, but no sooner is the test brought home to himself than he fails. The teacher cannot pass the examination for which he has been preparing his pupils. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:4

Thy words have upholden him that was falling . Many a man, just on the point of falling, has been stopped in time by thy wise words and good advice to him. This is a strong testimony to Job's kindliness of heart, and active sympathy with sufferers during the period of his prosperity. And thou hast strengthened the feeble knees ; literally, the bowing knees— those that were just on the point of collapsing and giving way through exhaustion or feebleness (comp. Isaiah 35:3 ). read more

Albert Barnes

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

Thy words have upholden him that was falling - That is, either falling into sin, or sinking under calamity and trial. The Hebrew will bear either interpretation, but the connection seems to require us to understand it of one who was sinking under the weight of affliction.The feeble knees - Margin, “bowing.” The knees support the frame. If they fail, we are feeble and helpless. Hence, their being weak, is so often used in the Bible to denote imbecility. The sense is, that Job, in the days of his... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Job 4:4. Thy words have upholden him that was falling That was ready to sink under his pressures, or to fall into sin, or from God, through despondency and distrust of his providence and promise, or through impatience. And thou hast strengthened the feeble knees Such as were weak-hearted, and fainting under their trials. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 4:1-6

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 4:4

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

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

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