“No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.”
You. Hebrew, “Truly you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!” This irony is very sharp. (Calmet) — “Are you alone men? or shall?” &c. (Septuagint; Syriac)
“I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.”
Mocked. He retaliates on Sophar, (chap. xi. 3.; Haydock) who had very seriously exhorted Job to call on God, as if he had been ignorant of this duty. (Calmet) — God will one day force the wicked to retract their false notion, in despising his servants, Wisdom v. 3. (Worthington)
“He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.”
The lamp. Such is the just man, who under affliction is (Haydock) exposed to the ridicule of men who live at their ease. — For. Hebrew, “to fall.” (Calmet) Septuagint, “It was appointed for me to fall under others at the time fixed.”
“The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.”
Abound. Hebrew, “are at peace.” (Calmet) — The prosperity of the wicked is therefore no proof that they are pleasing to him. (Haydock) — All nature testifies that God exercises a sovereign dominion over his works. He may therefore cause the just to suffer, though they be guiltless. This is one of Job’s grand maxims. (Calmet)
“Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat? mouth: Heb. palate”
Taste. For this no master is requisite; so I stood in no need of your information, (Calmet) of such trite remarks. (Haydock)
“With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.”
Ancient. He rather chides the youth of Sophar for offering to give him lessons. Old age is indeed commonly wiser and more experienced. Yet, what is man’s knowledge compared to that of God! ver. 13.
“He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.”
To a. Hebrew, “to be despoiled” of their wisdom and riches. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “into captivity.” (Haydock) — Crafty plotters at last fall into such misconduct, as to be derided by men of the meanest capacity. (Worthington)
“He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.”
Looseth. Septuagint, “setteth kings upon the throne,” &c. — Belt. This was usually very magnificent, and a military ornament. See that of Pallas described. (Virgil, Æneid x.) Job intimates that God deprives kings of their authority, at pleasure. Hebrew may also signify that he looseth the bond or prisoner of kings, and reduces themselves to slavery. (Calmet) — Things never remain long in the same state. (Haydock) — Even kings are sometimes obliged to beg. (Menochius)
“He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.”
Without. Hebrew, “despoiled.” Septuagint, “captives.” Cohanim, may comprise both sacred ministers and civil princes, 1 Kings viii. 18. All are equally subject to God. (Calmet)
“He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged. speech: Heb. lip of the faithful”
Speakers. Permitting them to speak deceitfully, (Calmet) or causing their oracles to be contemned. (Haydock) — Hebrew, “he withdraws speech from men of confidence.” (Calmet) — Neemanim, (Haydock) ambassadors or prime ministers, Numbers xii. 7. He disconcerteth the best concerted plans.
“He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty. weakeneth: or, looseth the girdle of the strong”
Relieveth. Hebrew, “ungirdeth (disarms) the strong.” (Calmet) — Septuagint, “but the lowly (humble) he has healed.”
“He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.”
Of death. Tsalmaveth (Haydock) may perhaps simply denote darkness. (Calmet) — God bringeth to light the most hidden things. (Haydock)
“He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again. straiteneth: Heb. leadeth in”
Multiplieth. Hebrew, Septuagint, and Syriac, “deceiveth,” (Calmet) suffering them to confide too much in their strength, so that they fall an easy prey. (Haydock) — How many nations, once so powerful, are now fallen; while others of no account have risen to eminence!
“He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.”
Changeth. Hebrew, “taketh away the heart,” or prudence “of princes.” Hence they follow the most absurd counsels, Isaias xxix. 19. (Calmet) — No way. This was the case of Pharao, when he pursued the Israelites into the sea; (Tirinus) and the like may rationally be feared by those princes, who attempt to make innovations in the true religion, or in the sound laws of a kingdom. (Menochius)