Bible Commentaries
Job 4

Verse 1

answered and said = replied and said. The idiom ( App-6 ) requires that the first verb (where nothing has been as yet said) must be rendered according to the context: "spake", "prayed", "began", "concluded", &c. Here it = replied and said. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 .

Verse 2

assay = attempt, or try.

to commune = a word.

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

speaking. Hebrew. millah = words composing the matter of what is said.

Verse 4

words = sayings. Hebrew. millah. See note on "speaking" (Job 4:2 ).

falling = stumbling.

Verse 6

Is not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . The Authorized Version of 1611 reads "confidence; the uprightness of thy ways and thy hope? "First altered in the Cambridge edition of 1638. Name of editor is unknown.

Verse 7

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

Verse 9

blast. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16 .

breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

nostrils. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 12

a little = a whispering.

Verse 13

men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 14

all = the multitude of.

Verse 15

a spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 :. a movement of air, caused by something unseen.

Verse 17

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

mortal man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

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

Verse 18

put no trust = putteth no faith in. Hebrew. 'aman. App-69 . Compare Job 15:15 , Job 15:31 .

servants = messengers (Psalms 104:4 ).

charged = will charge.

Verse 19

houses of clay. Compare 2 Corinthians 5:1 .

before = sooner than.