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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 16:17-22

Job's condition was very deplorable; but had he nothing to support him, nothing to comfort him? Yes, and he here tells us what it was. I. He had the testimony of his conscience for him that he had walked uprightly, and had never allowed himself in any gross sin. None was ever more ready than he to acknowledge his sins of infirmity; but, upon search, he could not charge himself with any enormous crime, for which he should be made more miserable than other men, Job 16:17. 1. He had kept a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 16:18

O earth, cover not thou my blood ,.... This is an imprecation, wishing that if; he had been guilty of any capital crime, of such acts of injustice that he ought to be punished by the judge, and even to die for them, that his blood when spilt might not be received into the earth, but be licked up by dogs, or that he might have no burial or interment in the earth; and if he had committed such sins as might come under the name of blood, either the shedding of innocent blood, though that is so... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:18

O earth, cover not thou my blood - This is evidently an allusion to the murder of Abel, and the verse has been understood in two different ways: Job here calls for justice against his destroyers. His blood is his life, which he considers as taken away by violence, and therefore calls for vengeance. Let my blood cry against my murderers, as the blood of Abel cried against Cain. My innocent life is taken away by violence, as his innocent life was; as therefore the earth was not permitted to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:1-22

Deep dejection and irrepressible hope. In this reply Job refuses to make a direct rejoinder to the attack upon him; he is too utterly bowed down in his weakness. But— I. The first part of his speech consists of A BITTER SARCASM UPON THE IDLE TALK OF HIS FRIENDS . (Verses 1-5.) Their speeches are useless. They mean to comfort ( Job 15:11 ); but their reasonings produce an opposite effect on his mind. They should cease; there must he something ailing those who are thus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:18

O earth, cover not thou my blood! There was a widespread belief in the ancient world that innocent blood, spilt upon the ground, cried to God for vengeance, and remained a dark blot upon the earth till it was avenged, or until it was covered up. Job apostrophizes the earth, and be-seethes it not to cover up his blood when he dies, as he expects to do, shortly. And let my cry have no place ; i.e. let it have no hiding-place, but fill earth and heaven. Let it continue to be heard until it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 16:18-22

Job to God: 2. An appeal to God against God. I. A SUBLIME INVOCATION . "O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place!" (verse 18). 1 . The explanation of the language. The allusion seems to be to Genesis 4:10 , where the blood of Abel is represented as crying to God from the ground for vengeance upon its destroyer; and Job, in the lofty consciousness of his innocence, while momentarily anticipating death, calls upon the earth not to drink up his blood, but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 16:18

O earth - Passionate appeals to the earth are not uncommon in the Scriptures; see the notes at Isaiah 1:2. Such appeals indicate deep emotion, and are among the most animated forms of personification.Cover not thou my blood - Blood here seems to denote the wrong done to him. He compares his situation with that of one who had been murdered, and calls on the earth not to conceal the crime, and prays that his injuries may not be hidden, or pass unavenged. Aben Ezra, Dr. Good, and some others,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 16:17-18

Job 16:17-18 . Not for any justice in my hands And all this is not come upon me for any injurious dealing, but for other reasons, known to God only; also my prayer is pure I do not cast off God’s fear and service, Job 15:4. I do still pray and worship God, and my prayer is accompanied with a sincere heart. O earth, cover not thou my blood The earth is said to cover that blood which lies undiscovered and unrevenged: of which see on Genesis 4:10-11; and Isaiah 26:21. But, says Job, if I... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 16:1-22

Job’s reply to Eliphaz (16:1-17:16)Tired at this repetition of the friends’ unhelpful teaching, Job says he could give similar ‘comfort’ if he were in their position and they in his (16:1-5). His argument with God may not have brought relief from his pain, but neither has his silence. In fact, his physical condition only becomes worse (6-8). God opposes him and people insult him. Some deliberately try to do him harm (9-11). He feels like a helpless victim that wild animals attack, like a target... read more

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