Bible Commentaries
Job 23

Verse 1

answered = replied [a third time]. See note on Job 4:1 .

Verse 2

complaint = complaining.

my. Septuagint and Syriac read "His".

stroke = hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the calamity occasioned by it. Compare Job 13:21 ; Job 19:21 .

Verse 3

Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 .

Verse 10

take: or choose.

when he hath: or, if He would.

shall = should.

Verse 12

my necessary food. Hebrew my own law = my appointed portion: i.e. my ordinary allowance; "law" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Genus), App-6 , for what is allowed by it. Compare Genesis 47:22 .Proverbs 30:8 .

Verse 13

His soul = Himself. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia .

Verse 15

afraid. See note on Deuteronomy 28:66 .

Verse 16

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .

soft = faint, or unnerved. Compare Deuteronomy 20:3 .Isaiah 7:4 .

THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew Shaddai. App-4 .

Verse 17

Because, &c. See translation below.

darkness. Hebrew. hashak . See note on Job 3:6 .

darkness. Hebrew. 'ophel . See note on Job 3:6 .