Job 42

Job confesseth himself guilty, v.1, etc. And manifests his sorrow in dust and ashes, 6. God reproveth the three friends of Job, 7. Chargeth them to make offerings for themselves, and to get Job to intercede for them, 8. This being done accordingly, they are reconciled with God, 9. Job is delivered out his affliction, and doubly blessed to that he was before, 10. Is visited and comforted by his Brethren, Sisters, and good acquaintance, 11. Is blessed not onely in wealth and riches, 12. But likewise in children, 13. The length of his life, 16. His death, 17.

1. Then Job answered the LORD, and said:

2. I know that thou canst (do) all things, and that none of thy thoughts [i.e. of whatsoever thou hast purposed and decreed in thine eternal and infinite Wisdom. See of the Hebrew word, above 21.on v.27.] can be cut off, [i.e. hindered, kept back, or turned aside from being executed and performed; comp.Gen.11.6. and the annot.]

3. Who is he (sayest thou) [This God had spoken above 38.2. wherewith Job findeth himself justly charged and convinced now] that hideth [i.e. obscureth as above 38.2. See the annot. There] the counsel [of God namely] without knowledge? Then have I rehearsed that which I understood not, things that were too wonderful for me, [Heb. Wonders above me, i.e. which were greater, then I was able to comprehend. So Psalms 131:1. See the like expressions, Deuteronomy 17:8. and 30.11. and compare the annotation.] which I knew not.

4. Hear, (I pray) and I shall speak, [i.e. entreat to be instructed by thee, in what is too high for me; to speak, for to pray, or entreat. Compare 1 Samuel 1:13.] I shall ask thee, and do thou instruct me: [Job looketh back, to that which God had spoken to him above 38.3. & 40.3. he will say, that God neither could nor needed to be instructed by him about his profound Judgements, and mighty works, but that he now humbly desired and expected to be instructed of God by his spirit.]

5. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee: [i.e. That knowledge which formerly I had of thy Majesty, by means of the hearing, that is to say, from outward relations and instructions, is but scant and small in respect of the enlightening, which now I have received by thy visible appearance, and present representation of thy divine wisdom, power, works and judgements.] but now mine eye seeth thee. [viz. Not in thy divine see chap.38.1. and 40.1. compare Gen.32.30. Numb.12.8. and 14.14. 1 Kings 22:19. and see the annotations.]

6. Therefore I abhor (me) [viz. For what I have uttered unadvisedly heretofore through impatience and the sensibleness of my heavy affliction.] and I repent in dust and ashes. [see ab.ch.2.on v.8. and compare 2 Sam.12.v.16.]

7. Now it came to pass after that the LORD had spoken those words unto Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite; Mine anger is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends; [viz. Bildad the Suhite and Zophar the Naamathite, see above chap.2.on v.11.] for ye have not spoken aright of me, [The Hebrew particle el, is likewise taken to signify of, Genesis 20:2. 2 Kings 19:32. and below v.8. Psalm 59.18, &c.] like as my servant Job. [Job is not wholly cleared, but his transgression is judged less then that of his friends. For these sinned most by their unadvised and imprudent judging of Gods punishments and blessings, accompanied with their unkindness, harshness and cruel dealing against Job, condemning him for an hypocrite, and faining lies against him, instead of administering comfort unto him; but Job transgressed most through humane frailty, and impatience, being drawn into it, by the perverse Judgements and reproachful aspersions and assaults of his friends]

8. Therefore take ye now for your selves seven bullocks and seven rams, and go (your ways) to my servant Job, and offer burnt-offering for you, [viz. By the hand of Job.] and let my servant Job pray for you: For surely [The Hebrew particles Chi im are taken thus, Prov.23.18.] I shall accept his face, [i.e. be graciously favourable unto him, and hear his prayer. See Gen.19.on v.21. Thus this kind of speech is taken in a good sense; but taken in a bad one, it doth signify to have regard to a person, out of a blind and unrighteous favour. See Lev.39.15. and the annotation.] left I do with you according to your folly: [Some read it thus, That I do not folly unto you, i.e. punishment of folly, as elsewhere, sin and iniquity, care taken for the punishment of them.] for ye have not spoken aright of me, like my servant Job. [See above the beginning of this verse.]

9. Then went Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Suhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, and did according as the LORD had spoken unto them: and the LORD accepted the face of Job. [See before v.8.]

10. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, [Understand hereby the might and power of Satan, whereby he held Job in prison and chained as it were, to plague him at pleasure, in his goods above chap.1.v.12. in his children v.18. in his body above chap.2.6. his own wife, his friends and others, above 2.9. item and the annotation.] when he had prayed for his friends: [Heb. For his friends, the singular, for the plural, as appear by comparing above v.8.] and the LORD multiplied all what Job had, to double as much. [compare his former wealth, above chap.1.3. with his last below here v.12.]

11. Also all his Brethren [i.e. kindred and allies, See Gen.24.on v.27.] came to him, and all his Sisters, and all that had known him before [i.e. his good friends and acquaintance, with whom he had conversed familiarly for entertaining of good friendship.] and did eat bread with him [see Genesis 31.on v.54.] in his house, comforted him, [see above chap.2.on v.11.] and comforted him over all the evil [understand the evil of punishment and correction. See Gen.19.on ver.19.] that the LORD had brought upon him: and they gave him every one a piece of money, [See Gen.33.on v.19.] every one also a golden fore-head-ornament. [Oth. A golden ear-ring. See Gen.24.on v.22.]

12. And the LORD blesseth Jobs last [viz. The later part of his life.] for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand Camels, and a thousand yoaks of Oxen, and a thousand she-asses.

13. Besides he had seven sons and three daughters.

14. And he called the name of the first, Jemina, [This first had her name from the clay, by reason (as some conceive) of the brightness or clearness of her beauty.] and the name of the second Kezia, [so named from the spice called Cassia, which hath a very pleasant and acceptable smell, see of that spice, Psal.45.9.] and the name of the third Keren-happuch. [this is as much as to say, a horn of painting varnish. It is conjectured, that she was so shining fair, as if she had seen painted with abundance of varnish, or such matter as women use to paint their faces withal.

15. And there were no such fair women found in all the land, as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. [Heb. Gave them, in the masculine gender, that being put for the feminine, as also in the sequel; and Exodus chap.1.21, &c.]

16. And Job lived after this [Understand after this heavy visitation.] an hundred and fourty years, that he saw his children, and his childrens children unto four generations.

17. And Job died old and full of days. [(satur die-rum) Comp. Gen.25.5.8. and the annotation.]