Bible Commentaries
Job 16

Verse 1

answered = replied. See note on Job 4:1 .

Verse 2

miserable = wearisome.

Verse 3

Shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

vain words = empty words. Heb, words of wind.

what . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 4

your soul = you (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

my soul = me (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 8

is = is become.

leanness. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

Verse 11

the ungodly = an evil one. Hebrew. 'aval. App-44 .

the wicked = the lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

Verse 14

giant = mighty man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 15

sewed sackcloth, &c. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the sorrow which accompanied it.

Verse 16

shadow of death. Not a mere shade or shadow, but the deep darkness of the grave. Compare Job 3:5 ; Job 10:21 ; Job 12:22 ; Job 24:17 ; Job 28:3 ; Job 34:22 , &c.

Verse 17

injustice = violence. Only occurrence of English word in O.T.

Verse 18

O. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 .

cover not. my blood. The reference is to the practice which remains to this day, based on Numbers 35:33 .Leviticus 17:13 . Job's desire is that the evidence of his sufferings may not be hidden.

Verse 20

friends = neighbours.

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .

Verse 21

man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

man = son of man. Hebrew. ben-'adam. App-14 .

Verse 22

the way, &c. Figure of speech Euphemism ( App-6 ), for death.