Job 4:3

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 4:3

Behold, thou hast instructed many ,.... This is introduced with a "behold", either as a note of admiration, that such a man, who had instructed others, should act the part he now does; or as a note of attention to Job himself, and all others that should hear and read this, to observe it, and well consider it, and make the proper use of it; or as a note of asseveration, affirming it to be true and certain, notorious and unquestionable, as no doubt it was: Job was the instructor, a great man,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 4:3

Thou hast instructed many - Thou hast seen many in affliction and distress, and thou hast given them such advice as was suitable to their state, and effectual to their relief; and by this means thou hast strengthened the weak hands, and the feeble knees - the desponding have been encouraged, and the irresolute confirmed and excited to prompt and proper actions, by thy counsel and example. 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

Behold, thou hast instructed many ; or, corrected many. When others have been afflicted and murmured, thou hast corrected them, and shown them that they were suffering only what they deserved to suffer. In so doing, thou hast strengthened the weak hands ; "given moral strength," i.e; "to those who were morally weak," upheld them, saved them from impatient words and hard thoughts of God. read more

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 4:3

Behold, thou hast instructed many - That is, thou hast instructed many how they ought to bear trials, and hast delivered important maxims to them on the great subject of the divine government. This is not designed to be irony, or to wound the feelings of Job. It is intended to recall to his mind the lessons which he had inculcated on others in times of calamity, and to show him how important it was now that he should reduce his own lessons to practice, and show their power in sustaining... read more

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