Bible Commentaries
Job 1

Verse 1

There was a man = A man came to be. This settles the question as to the historical fact. was = came to be. See note on p. 666.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Uz. In Genesis 22:20 , Genesis 22:21 , immediately after the offering of Isaac, Abraham hears that his brother Nahor has eight sons, and among them two named Uz and Buz, and Kemuel the father of Aram. Uz gives his name to the land. Buz and Aram are connected with Elihu (Job 32:2 ). See App-62 . The land of Uz is mentioned in Jeremiah 25:20 and Lamentations 4:21 . South of Edom, west of Arabia, extending to the borders of Chaldea.

Job. In Hebrew. 'Iyyob = afflicted.

that = this.

was = came to be, as in Genesis 1:2 .

perfect = inoffensive. None are "perfect" in the English sense of the word. Hebrew. tam. See Genesis 20:5 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

evil. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 .

Verse 3

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

men = sons.

Verse 4

one = man, as in Job 1:1 .

his day. Probably = birthday. Compare Job 1:5 ; Job 3:3 .Genesis 40:20 .

Verse 5

were gone about = came round.

offered = offered up. App-43 . Showing that, from Genesis 4:0 onward, the institution was observed.

sinned. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

cursed. One of the eighteen emendations of the Sopherim ( App-33 ), by which the primitive Hebrew text, kalal = to curse, was changed to barak = to bless, as in Job 1:11 with Job 2:5 , Job 2:9 . Translated "cursed" in Authorized Version, and "renounced" in Revised Version, in spite of barak (blessed) standing in the printed text. See notes on 2 Samuel 12:14 and Psalms 10:3 .

Verse 6

sons of God = the angels. Compare Job 38:7 , and see App-23 .

present themselves = take their stations.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Satan = the Adversary.

Verse 9

Doth Job . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 10

Hast not Thou . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 11

hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power exercised by it.

touch = hurt. Figure of speech Tapeinosis ( App-6 ), meaning much more than "touch".

Verse 12

power. Hebrew "hand". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power exercised by it.

Verse 13

there was a day = the fit, or usual day. When Job was seventy. See notes on p. 666.

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

Verse 14

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ), to emphasize the details in all these reports of the calamities.

Verse 15

the Sabeans. Hebrew Sheba. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), for the people of Sheba. Compare Job 6:19 . Isaiah 60:6 .

servants = young men.

Verse 16

While he was yet speaking. Repeated three times to show the rapidity and vehemence of Satan's assault.

The fire of God = A fire of Elohim. Figure of speech Enallage ( App-6 ) = a great (or terrible) fire. Elohim used as an adjective. Compare Song of Solomon 8:6 . Psalms 80:10 .

Verse 19

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 20

shaved his head. Symbolic of mourning (Leviticus 21:5 .Jeremiah 7:29 ; Jeremiah 16:6 . Micah 1:16 ).

Verse 22

this: i.e. these calamities.

sinned. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

foolishly = with injustice.