Job 8 Commentary

“If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; for: Heb. in the hand of their transgression”

Iniquity, and suffered them to perish. (Calmet)

“If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.”

Peaceable. Justice and peace shall kiss. (Haydock) — Prosperity will attend the righteous. (Calmet)

“(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) nothing: Heb. not”

That. Hebrew, “because our days.” (Haydock) — Baldad strives, in vain, to prove what nobody contested. But he does not come to the point, and shew that Job was guilty. Past histories might have informed him that the just are often persecuted, like Abel, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. (Calmet) — It is true, these were afterwards conforted in honour, except the first, who was slain, and better off in the other world. But Job might hope for the same treatment; and no man can be pronounced happy or miserable till his death. After a storm a calm frequently ensues; as Baldad might have seen verified in the person of his friend, if he had waited patiently, and not judged so peremptorily from equivocal arguments. (Haydock) — We must allow, however, that what he said had been generally true. (Houbigant)

“Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?”

Sedge-bush, or flag. Hebrew achu; so called, because from one root many brothers (as it were) spring. Septuagint style it Boutomon, as it was usually “cut for oxen,” Genesis xli. 2. (Parkhurst) (Haydock) — As plants die without suction, so do those who depart from God. (Menochius)

“Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.”

Herbs, for want of moisture. (Calmet) — Sic transit gloria mundi. (Haydock) — The prophets often compare the prosperity of the wicked to grass, (Psalm xxxvi. 2., and James i. 10.) and Baldad ranks Job with them.

“Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. web: Heb. house”

Him, the hypocrite, or God. (Calmet) — Both shall one day condemn the ill use of riches. (Haydock)

“He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.”

He. The spider, or rather the hypocrite, who will not be able to screen himself, by his possessions, from the wrath of God. (Calmet)

“He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.”

Seemeth. Hebrew, “he is green before the sun” beat upon him. — Rising, ortu, for horto, (Haydock) as the Hebrew, &c., have “garden,” (Menochius) with some Latin editions. He had compared the wicked to a rush without moisture. But the just is like a plant in a fine garden, which is not hurt by the sun beams. It will grow even among stones, (Calmet) and may be transplanted without danger, ver. 19. (Haydock) — The whole may be, however, a continuation of the former simile. The rush will presently be scorched, as if it were thrown among stones, and its place will know it no longer, ver. 18. (Menochius)

“Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.”

Joy. Septuagint, “the catastrophe of the wicked, for another shall spring,” &c. Haydock)

“Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. rejoicing: Heb. shouting for joy”

Until. If thou be simple, (Haydock) or irreproachable, (Calmet) God will make thee exult. (Haydock) — Until, &c. (Menochius) — He will restore thee to thy former state of affluence. (Calmet)