Teks -- Job 40:1-6 (NET)

Job’s Reply to God’s Challenge

40:1 Then the Lord answered Job: 40:2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!” 40:3 Then Job answered the Lord: 40:4 “Indeed, I am completely unworthy– how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself. 40:5 I have spoken once, but I cannot answer; twice, but I will say no more.”

The Lord’s Second Speech

40:6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

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Wesley: Job 40:1 - Answered

Having made a little pause to try what Job could answer. This is not said to be spoken out of the whirlwind, and therefore some think God said it in a still, small voice, which wrought more upon Job, (as upon Elijah) than the whirlwind did. Tho' Job had not spoken any thing, yet God is said to answer him. For he knows mens thoughts, and can return a fit answer to their silence.

Wesley: Job 40:2 - Reproveth

That boldly censureth his ways or works; it is at his peril.

Wesley: Job 40:5 - Answer

Speak again; I will contend no more with thee.

Wesley: Job 40:5 - Twice

Often, the definite number being used indefinitely.

Wesley: Job 40:6 - Whirlwind

Which was renewed when God renewed his charge upon Job, whom he intended to humble more throughly.

JFB: Job 40:1 - the Lord

Hebrew, "JEHOVAH."

JFB: Job 40:2 - he that contendeth

As Job had so often expressed a wish to do. Or, rebuketh. Does Job now still (after seeing and hearing of God's majesty and wisdom) wish to set God right?

JFB: Job 40:2 - answer it

Namely, the questions I have asked.

JFB: Job 40:3 - Lord

JEHOVAH.

JFB: Job 40:4

I am (too) vile (to reply). It is a very different thing to vindicate ourselves before God, from what it is before men. Job could do the latter, not the former.

JFB: Job 40:4 - lay . . . hand . . . upon . . . mouth

I have no plea to offer (Job 21:5; Jdg 18:19).

JFB: Job 40:5 - Once . . . twice

Oftentimes, more than once (Job 33:14, compare with Job 33:29; Psa 62:11):

JFB: Job 40:5 - I have spoken

Namely, against God.

JFB: Job 40:5 - not answer

Not plead against Thee.

JFB: Job 40:6 - the Lord

JEHOVAH.

Clarke: Job 40:1 - Moreover the Lord answered

Moreover the Lord answered - That is, the Lord continued his discourse with Job. Answered does not refer to any thing said by Job, or any question asked. I think it very likely that this whole piece, from the beginning of this first verse to the end of the fourteenth, was originally the ending of the poem. Mr. Heath has noticed this, and I shall lay his words before the reader: "The former part of this chapter is evidently the conclusion of the poem; the latter part whereof seems to be in great disorder; whether it has happened from the carelessness of the transcriber, or, which appears most probable, from the skins of parchment composing the roll having by some accident changed their places. It is plain from the seventh verse of the forty-second chapter Job 42:7 that Jehovah is the last speaker in the poem. If, then, immediately after the end of the thirty-ninth chapter, we subjoin the fifteenth verse of the forty-second chapter, and place the fourteen first verses of the fortieth chapter immediately after the sixth verse of the forty-second chapter, and by that means make them the conclusion of the poem, all will be right; and this seventh verse of the forty-second chapter will be in its natural order. The action will be complete by the judgment of the Almighty; and the catastrophe of the poem will be grand and solemn."To these reasons of Mr. Heath, Dr. Kennicott has added others, which the reader may find at the end of the chapter. Job 40:24 Without taking any farther notice of the transposition in this place, I will continue the notes in the present order of the verses.

Clarke: Job 40:2 - He that reproveth God, let him answer it

He that reproveth God, let him answer it - Let the man who has made so free with God and his government, answer to what he has now heard.

Clarke: Job 40:4 - Behold, I am vile

Behold, I am vile - I acknowledge my inward defilement. I cannot answer thee

Clarke: Job 40:4 - I will lay mine hand upon my mouth

I will lay mine hand upon my mouth - I cannot excuse myself, and I must be dumb before thee.

Clarke: Job 40:5 - Once have I spoken

Once have I spoken - See on Job 42:3 (note), etc

Clarke: Job 40:5 - I will proceed no farther

I will proceed no farther - I shall attempt to justify myself no longer; I have spoken repeatedly; and am confounded at my want of respect for my Maker, and at the high thoughts which I have entertained of my own righteousness. All is impurity in the presence of thy Majesty.

Defender: Job 40:2 - contendeth with the Almighty

There is a pause in God's monologue on creation at this point. God rebukes Job mildly for presuming to question His actions, even when he didn't understand them, and Job accepts the rebuke and confesses his sin."

TSK: Job 40:1

Job 40:6, Job 38:1

TSK: Job 40:2 - Shall // instruct // he that reproveth

Shall : Job 9:3, Job 33:13; Ecc 6:10; Isa 45:9-11, Isa 50:8; 1Co 10:22

instruct : Isa 40:14; 1Co 2:16

he that reproveth : Job 3:11, Job 3:12, Job 3:20, Job 3:23, Job 7:12, Job 7:19-21, Job 9:17, Job 9:18, Job 9:32-35, Job 10:3-7, Job 10:14-17, Job 13:21-27; Job 14:16, Job 14:17, Job 16:11-21, Job 19:6-11, Job 27:2, Job 30:21; Eze 18:2; Mat 20:11; Rom 9:19-23, Rom 11:34-36

TSK: Job 40:4 - Behold // what // I will

Behold : Job 42:6; Gen 18:27, Gen 32:10; 2Sa 24:10; 1Ki 19:4; Ezr 9:6, Ezr 9:15; Neh 9:33; Psa 51:4, Psa 51:5; Isa 6:5, Isa 53:6, Isa 64:6; Dan 9:5, Dan 9:7; Luk 5:8, Luk 15:18, Luk 15:19, Luk 18:13; 1Ti 1:15

what : Job 9:31-35, Job 16:21, Job 23:4-7, Job 31:37

I will : Job 21:5, Job 29:9; Jdg 18:19; Psa 39:9; Pro 30:32; Mic 7:16; Hab 2:20; Zec 2:13

TSK: Job 40:5 - but I will not // twice // but I will proceed

but I will not : Job 34:31, Job 34:32; Rom 3:19

twice : Job 33:14; 2Ki 6:10; Psa 62:11

but I will proceed : Jer 31:18, Jer 31:19

TSK: Job 40:6 - out

out : Job 38:1; Psa 50:3, Psa 50:4; Heb 12:18-20; 2Pe 3:10-12

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Poole: Job 40:2 - That reproveth God // Let him answer it

Shall Job, who presumed to contend with me in judgment, and to dispute the reasonableness and equity of my proceedings, give me instructions or directions how to manage my own affairs, and govern my creatures? He justly mentions his almightiness, as a convincing argument of his justice. For how can he be unjust to his creatures, who hath no obligation to them, and never did nor can receive any thing from them; and who hath an absolute, sovereign, and uncontrollable dominion over them; and who being infinitely and necessarily perfect, and all-sufficient within himself, can neither have any inclination to unrighteousness, which is an imperfection, nor any temptation to it from any need he hath of it to accomplish his designs, which he can do by his own omnipotence, or front any advantage accruing to him by it.

That reproveth God that boldly censureth his ways or works; which thou hast done.

Let him answer it let him answer my former and further questions at his peril.

Poole: Job 40:4 - I am vile // What shall I answer thee?

I am vile what am I, a mean and contemptible creature that should presume to contend with my Maker and Judge? I confess my fault and folly.

What shall I answer thee? I neither desire nor am able to dispute with thee. I will for the future bridle my tongue, and instead of contesting with thee, do here humbly and willingly submit myself to thee.

Poole: Job 40:5 - I will not answer // Yea, twice // I will proceed no further

I will not answer or speak again ; answering being oft put for speaking. I will contend no more with thee.

Yea, twice i.e. ofttimes, or again and again, the definite number being used indefinitely.

I will proceed no further in such bold and presumptuous expressions and accusations of thy providence towards me. Vain therefore are the excuses which some interpreters make for Job, as if he were faultless in his foregoing discourses, when both God chargeth him with faultiness therein, and Job himself confesseth it.

Poole: Job 40:6 - The whirlwind

The whirlwind was renewed when God renewed his charge upon Job, whom he intended to humble more thoroughly than yet he had done. Both this and the next verse are repeated out of Job 38:1,3 , where they are explained.

Haydock: Job 40:3 - Judgment

Judgment. Job had frequently acknowledged that God could not be in the wrong. But he had expressed himself in to forcible language, of which God makes him, as it were, ashamed. (Calmet) ---

Septuagint, "rejectest thou not my decision? yea, dost thou think that I have judged thee in a different manner, in order that thou mayst appear just?" (Haydock)

Haydock: Job 40:6 - Scatter

Scatter. Septuagint is shorter: (Calmet) "Send angels or messengers in wrath, and humble every insulting person. 7. Extinguish the proud, destroy the wicked at once. 8. Hide them in the earth together, and fill their faces with shame." (Haydock)

Gill: Job 40:1 - Moreover the Lord answered Job // and said

Moreover the Lord answered Job,.... The Lord having discoursed largely of the works of nature, in order to reconcile the mind of Job to his works of providence, stopped and made a pause for a little space, that Job might answer if he thought fit; but he being entirely silent, the Lord began again:

and said; as follows:

Gill: Job 40:2 - Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him // he that reproveth God, let him answer it

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?.... Is he capable of it? He ought to be that takes upon him to dispute with God, to object or reply to him; that brings a charge against him, enters the debate, and litigates a point with him; which Job wanted to do. But could he or any other instruct him, who is the God of knowledge, the all wise and only wise God; who gives man wisdom, and teaches him knowledge? What folly is it to pretend to instruct him! Or can such an one be "instructed?" as the Targum: he is not in the way of instruction; he that submits to the chastising hand of God may be instructed thereby, but not he that contends with him; see Psa 94:12. Or should he be one that is instructed? no, he ought to be an instructor, and not one instructed; a teacher, and not one that is taught; he should be above all instruction from God or man that will dispute with the Almighty, The word for instruct has the signification of chastisement, because instruction sometimes comes that way; and then the sense either is, shall a man contend with the Almighty that chastises him? Does it become a son or a servant to strive against a parent or a master that corrects him? Or does not he deserve to be chastised that acts such a part? Some derive the word from one that signifies to remove or depart, and give the sense, shall the abundance, the all sufficiency of God, go from him to another, to a man; and so he, instead of God, be the all sufficient one? Or rather the meaning of the clause is, has there not been much, enough, and more than enough said, Job, to chastise thee, and convince thee of thy mistakes? must more be said? is there any need of it?

he that reproveth God, let him answer it; he that reproves God, for his words, or works, or ways, finding fault with either of them, ought to answer to the question now put; or to any or all of those in the preceding chapters, and not be silent as Job now was.

Gill: Job 40:3 - Then Job answered the Lord // and said

Then Job answered the Lord,.... Finding that he was obliged to answer, he did, but with some reluctance:

and said; as follows:

Gill: Job 40:4 - Behold, I am vile // what shall I answer thee // I will lay mine hand upon my mouth

Behold, I am vile,.... Or "light" ^a; which may have respect either to his words and arguments, which he thought had force in them, but now he saw they had none; or to his works and actions, the integrity of his life, and the uprightness of his ways, which he imagined were weighty and of great importance, but now being weighed in the balances of justice were found wanting; or it may refer to his original meanness and distance from God, being dust and ashes, and nothing in comparison of him; and so the Septuagint version is, "I am nothing"; see Isa 40:17; or rather to the original vileness and sinfulness of his nature he had now a sight of, and saw how he had been breaking forth in unbecoming expressions concerning God and his providence: the nature of man is exceeding vile and sinful; his heart desperately wicked; his thoughts, and the imaginations of them, evil, and that continually; his mind and conscience are defiled; his affections inordinate, and his understanding and will sadly depraved; he is vile in soul and body; of all which an enlightened man is convinced, and will acknowledge;

what shall I answer thee? I am not able to answer thee, who am but dust and ashes; what more can I say than to acknowledge my levity, vanity, and vileness? he that talked so big, and in such a blustering manner of answering God, as in Job 13:22; now has nothing to say for himself;

I will lay mine hand upon my mouth; impose silence upon himself, and as it were lay a restraint upon himself from speaking: it looks as if there were some workings in Job's heart; he thought he could say something, and make some reply, but durst not, for fear of offending yet more and more, and therefore curbed it in; see Psa 39:1.

Gill: Job 40:5 - Once have I spoken; but I will not answer // yea, twice; but I will proceed no further

Once have I spoken; but I will not answer,.... Some think this refers to what he had just now said of his vileness, he had owned that, and that was all he had to say, or would say, he would give no other answer; Jarchi says, some suppose he has respect to his words in Job 9:22;

yea, twice; but I will proceed no further; the meaning seems to be, that he who had once and again, or very often, at least in some instances, spoken very imprudently and indecently, for the future would take care not to speak in such a manner: for this confession was not quite free and full; and therefore the Lord takes him in hand again, to bring him to make a more full and ingenuous one, as he does in Job 42:1.

Gill: Job 40:6 - Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind // and said

Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind,.... Some think that the whirlwind ceased while the Lord spake the words in Job 40:2; which encouraged Job to make the answer he did; but others are of opinion that it continued, and now increased, and was more boisterous than before. The Targum calls it the whirlwind of tribulation: comfort does not always follow immediately on first convictions; Job, though humbled, was not yet humbled enough: God will have a fuller confession of sin from him: it was not sufficient to say he was vile, he must declare his sorrow for his sin, his abhorrence of it, and of himself for it, and his repentance of it; and that he had said things of God he ought not to have said, and which he understood not; and though he had said he would answer no more, God will make him say more, and therefore continued the whirlwind, and to speak out of it; for he had more to say to him, and give him further proof of his power to his full conviction;

and said; as follows.