Job 40:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 40:1-5

Here is, I. A humbling challenge which God gave to Job. After he had heaped up many hard questions upon him, to show him, by his manifest ignorance in the works of nature, what an incompetent judge he was of the methods and designs of Providence, he clenches the nail with one demand more, which stands by itself here as the application of the whole. It should seem, God paused awhile, as Elihu had done, to give Job time to say what he had to say, or to think of what God had said; but Job was in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 40:4

Behold, I am vile ,.... Or "light" F1 קלתי "levis sum", Cocceius, Michaelis; "leviter locutus sum", V. L. ; which may have respect either to his words and arguments, which he thought had force in them, but now he saw they had none; or to his works and actions, the integrity of his life, and the uprightness of his ways, which he imagined were weighty and of great importance, but now being weighed in the balances of justice were found wanting; or it may refer to his original meanness... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:4

Behold, I am vile - I acknowledge my inward defilement. I cannot answer thee. I will lay mine hand upon my mouth - I cannot excuse myself, and I must be dumb before thee. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:1-5

Between the first and the second part of the Divine discourse, at the end of which Job wholly humbles himself ( Job 42:1-6 ), is interposed a short appeal on the part of tile Almighty, and a short reply on Job's part, which, however, is insufficient. God calls upon Job to make good his charges (verses 1, 2). Job declines, acknowledges himself to be of no account, and promises silence and submission for the future (verses 3-5). But something more is needed; and therefore the discourse is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:1-5

Jehovah to Job: the first answer-the application. I. JEHOVAH 'S CONDESCENSION TOWARDS JOB . 1 . In listening with patient silence to Job ' s censures and complaints. "Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?" literally, "Shall the reprover [ i.e. of God] contend in contending with the Almighty?" This is the first formal notice taken by Jehovah of the fact that Job had indulged in censorious reflections against the Divine character and administration. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:1-5

Conclusion of Jehovah's address: reply of Job: lowliness in the presence of Jehovah. The words of Jehovah express this— I. THAT THE DIVINE WORKS PRESENT A TRIUMPHANT CHALLENGE TO HUMAN INTELLIGENCE . (Verse 2.) Can man surpass them? Can he even imitate them? What can he do but silently admire them, and adore the Author of them? Therefore the serious contemplation of the works of God is well fitted to silence an ignorant criticism, and quell the idle murmurs of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:3-4

Then Job answered, the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile ; literally, I am light ; i.e. I am of small account (see the Revised Version). It would be absurd for one so weak and contemptible to attempt to argue with the Almighty. What shall I answer thee? or, What should I answer thee! What should I say, if I were to attempt a reply? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth (see the comment on Job 21:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:3-5

Humility. Job, unconvicted of a lack of integrity or willing departure from the law of rectitude, is nevertheless capable of self-humiliation, and, like all sensitive spiritual persons, is quick to mark his own faults in presence of a purer model. He is now bowed to the very earth. The Lord had spoken and showed Job his littleness and insignificance, and yet Job had ventured to defend himself in presence of the dealings of Jehovah. Now he is humbled and subdued. The process of the Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:4

Humbled before God. At length Job is brought near to the state of mind that God desires to see in him. Proud and defiant before the unwise and unjust attacks of his human accusers, he is humbled in the dust in presence of the revelation of God. I. THE VISION OF GOD IN HIS WORKS HUMBLES US . Job has seen a succession of vivid pictures of the works of God in nature. They all transcend human efforts. Then how great must the Author of nature be! How small are we in his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 40:4

Behold, I am vile: what shall I answer thee? - “Instead of being able to argue my cause, and to vindicate myself as I had expected, I now see that I am guilty, and I have nothing to say.” He had argued boldly with his friends. He had, before them, maintained his innocence of the charges which they brought against him, and had supposed that he would be able to maintain the same argument before God. But when the opportunity was given, he felt that he was a poor, weak man; a guilty and miserable... read more

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