swift ships = ships of ebeh. Hence vessels of bulrush (eb) ; vessels of desire ('abeh), i.e. desiring to reach their haven; vessels of enmity ('eybah), i.e. pirate vessels; or vessels of the Nile ('abai, Abyssinian for Nile). Others, vessels of Joppa. Perhaps the last is best. read more
Job 9:26. As the swift ships, &c.— There are but two places that I remember, says Mr. Peters, in the book of Job, where there is any allusion to navigation. One in the present passage, where Job compares the course of human life, and the rapidity wherewith it passes, to the swift ships, [swiftest ships, most excellent for sailing, Houbigant,] or, as it is in the margin of our English Bibles, ships of desire; i.e. such as are longed for, and long to be at their destined port, and crowd all... read more
26. swift ships—rather, canoes of reeds or papyrus skiffs, used on the Nile, swift from their lightness (Isaiah 18:2). read more
The unfairness of God 9:25-35In short, Job believed it was useless for him to try to prove himself upright since God seemed determined to punish him.The Book of Job uses legal terms and metaphors extensively in the sections that deal with Job’s disputes with God. Job had previously served as a judge in his town (Job 29:7-17), and he wanted justice (Heb. mispat) from God. [Note: See Sylvia H. Scholnick, "The Meaning of Mispat in the Book of Job," Journal of Biblical Literature 101... read more
Job’s Second Speech (Job 9, 10)Job 9, 10 are, perhaps, in their religious and moral aspects the most difficult in the book.Driver in his ’Introduction to the Literature of the OT.’ analyses them as follows:—’Job as well as his friends believes suffering to be a mark of God’s displeasure for some grave sin. Job, however, is conscious that he has not so sinned. Hence the terrible dilemma in which he finds himself and which forces him to the conclusion that God, though He knows him to be innocent... read more
(26) Swift ships.—What is meant by the swift ships, or ships of Desire, no one knows. Literally, ships of Eveh, probably a proper name, and perhaps referring to a particular kind of boat in use on the Nile; if so, this is one instance out of many of Job’s acquaintance with Egypt. The Vulgate has, naves poma portantes. Job is a problem to himself; he is confident of his innocence, and yet he is confident that that very innocence will avail him nothing before God, he is sure that he must be... read more
Job 9:10-11 He is always equally present with us: but we are so much taken up with sensible things, that, Lo, He goeth by us, and we see Him not; He passeth on also, but we perceive Him not. Devotion is retirement from the world He has made, to Him alone: it is to withdraw from the avocation of sense, to employ our attention wholly upon Him as upon an object actually present, to yield ourselves up to the influence of the Divine presence. Butler. References. IX. 20. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol.... read more
X.THE THOUGHT OF A DAYSMANJob 9:1-35; Job 10:1-22Job SPEAKSIT is with an infinitely sad restatement of what God has been made to appear to him by Bildad’s speech that Job begins his reply. Yes, yes; it is so. How can man be just before such a God? You tell me my children are overwhelmed with destruction for their sins. You tell me that I, who am not quite dead as yet, may have new prosperity if I put myself into right relations with God. But how can that be? There is no uprightness, no... read more
CHAPTERS 9-10 Job Answers Bildad 1. The supremacy and power of God (Job 9:1-10 ) 2. How then can Job meet Him? (Job 9:11-21 ) 3. He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked (Job 9:22-24 ) 4. Confession of weakness and the need of a daysman (Job 9:25-35 ) 5. Murmuring against God (Job 10:1-17 ) 6. Welcoming death (Job 10:18-22 ) Job 9:1-10 . The final words of Bildad seemed to have had a momentary soothing effect upon Job. Of a truth it is so. But here is the question, How can a man be... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 9:1-35
Job’s reply to Bildad (9:1-10:22)While agreeing with Bildad that God is just, Job argues that ordinary people are still at a disadvantage. They cannot present their side of the case satisfactorily, because God always has the wisdom and power to frustrate them. He can ask a thousand questions that they cannot answer (9:1-4). He can do what he wishes in the heavens or on the earth (5-9). He can work miracles and no one can resist him (10-12). If God overthrows those with supernatural power such... read more