Job 3:23

b. By making an application to himself of the preceding monody, Job brings his generalization to an end, Job 3:23-26.

23. To a man Job means himself, as is seen in the following verse. The antecedent is in Job 3:20. Job 3:21-22 are parenthetical.

Whose way is hid That is, so covered or obscure that he cannot see his way before him. “A man’s way is the exit for his energies of action or thought to go in; it is hidden when action and thought are paralyzed, and unable to find a passage through surrounding contradictions.” Davidson. Umbreit thinks the picture is taken from a wanderer who has lost his way, and, bewildered, falls into the most distressing solicitude.

God hath hedged in (Comp, Job 19:8; Lamentations 3:7; which may be regarded as a comment on the passage; and Hosea 2:6.) A gradation in thought; for not only is his “way hid,” but whichever way he may turn there is no egress: Eloah hath “hedged him around.” But a little before he would not mention the name of Deity; now that he does, it helps us to see down into the depth of his despair.