Job 26:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 26:1-4

One would not have thought that Job, when he was in so much pain and misery, could banter his friend as he does here and make himself merry with the impertinency of his discourse. Bildad thought that he had made a fine speech, that the matter was so weighty, and the language so fine, that he had gained the reputation both of an oracle and of an orator; but Job peevishly enough shows that his performance was not so valuable as he thought it and ridicules him for it. He shows, I. That there was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 26:2

How hast thou helped him that is without power ?.... This verse and Job 26:3 either are to be understood of God, as many do, by reading the words, "who hast thou helped? God" F18 מה עזרת "cui auxiliatis es", Pagninus, Montanus; so Tigurine version. ? a fine advocate for him thou art, representing him as if he was without power, and could not help himself, but stood in need of another; as if he had no arm, and could not save and protect himself, but needed one to rise and stand... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 26:2

How hast thou helped him - This seems a species of irony. How wonderfully hast thou counselled the unskilful and strengthened the weak! Alas for you! ye could not give what ye did not possess! In this way the Chaldee understood these verses: "Why hast thou pretended to give succor, when thou art without strength? And save, while thy arm is weak? Why hast thou given counsel, when thou art without understanding? And supposest that thou hast shown the very essence of wisdom?" read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-2

But Job answered and said, How hast thou helped him that is without power? Assuming Bildad's benevolent intentions towards himself, Job asks, how he can suppose that what he has said will in any way be helpful to a person in so helpless a condition? He had told Job nothing that Job had not repeatedly allowed. How savest thou the arm that hath no strengtht? It could not invigorate Job's arm, any more than it could cheer his heart, to be told that man was a worm, or that he was wholly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-14

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-14

Job to Bildad: another sermon on the foregoing text. I. THE PREFACE TO THE SERMON ; OR , THE DISCOURSE OF BILDAD CRITICIZED . In Job's estimation it was: 1 . Wholly unserviceable. With stinging irony Job, according to our view, represents it as having been extremely helpful to him in his feebleness, as having imparted strength to his powerless arm and wisdom to his ignorant mind (verses 2, 3); meaning, of course, the opposite—that in these respects the brief but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-14

Praises of the Eternal I. REPARTEE AND REPROOF . ( Job 26:2-4 .) The tone seems to be ironical: "How well hast thou helped feebleness, supported the arm of him that has no strength, counselled unwisdom, and in fulness given utterance to good sense! To whom hast thou offered words, and whose breath went forth from thee? By whose inspiration?" possibly pointing to the borrowed character of Bildad's speech. Words may be good in themselves, yet not pleasant or profitable if not spoken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:2

Helping the weak. Job returns to the old complaint, more than ever justified by the obstinacy of his friends. They came to sympathize and help in the time of trouble; how have they carried out their self-appointed task? I. IT IS A CHRISTIAN DUTY TO HELP THE WEAK . The worldly maxim is "each for himself." This seems to be natural; but it is not true to our better nature. The higher self is required to rectify the cruel impulses of the lower regions of nature. 1 . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:2-4

Cruel reproof helps not the sufferer. Job has endured the reproaches of his would-be friends. Their words, instead of calming and comforting his wounded spirit, have only irritated and tried him. He has sought in vain for the refreshment of sympathy. One prolonged attempt to prove his guiltiness, and to establish the justice of his affliction on that ground, he has had to meet by protestations of innocence. But the ill-judged and imperfectly instructed comforters, mistaking the ground of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 26:2

How hast thou helped him that is without power? - It has been doubted whether this refers to Job himself, the two friends of Bildad, or to the Deity. Rosenmuller. The connection, however, seems to demand that it should be referred to Job himself. It is sarcastical. Bildad had come as a friend and comforter. He had, also, in common with Eliphaz and Zophar, taken upon himself the office of teacher and counsellor. He had regarded Job as manifesting great weakness in his views of God and of his... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 26:1-4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 26:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 26:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 26:2-4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 26:2

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