WEBNETListen to the readings for Dec 5 from the NET Bible (Video)
or the World English Bible
This page is now calculating which verses have comments and referenced comments. Please be patient.
You will not be able to view any Comments in the Verse sections below until this notice disappears
Notes that are not verse specific
6:8-9 Whilst Job wishes to die taking his own life does not seem to be an acceptable option for him. He would rather that God would take away his life.
7:3 Job's use of 'months' maybe indicates that by this time his trials have been running for quite some time. There is little indication in the book of Job as to how long his distress lasted. Maybe this is one of those indications.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
COMFORTING THE REJECTED
Why is it that humans are fascinated by freaks - the elephant man, the bearded lady, Siamese twins - as long as they are kept a safe distance away? But as soon as we are confronted by a person like that, whose features are deformed or who has a serious and visible illness, we feel insecure, frightened and well out of our comfort zone. We can feel similarly out of our depth if we know of a personal problem of an acquaintance, or when someone is in mourning from a death. What do we say? How do we react? Do we ignore it? Or should we dwell on it? I don't have the answers to those questions, but Job felt that he was in the position of the freak, the outcast. His friends came to comfort him and he said, "Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid." If Job had been his normal, rich, healthy self, his friends would have had no problem discussing his feelings and solving his problems. But here was a sick, ugly and rejected man and they couldn't get past his looks and their fear to comfort him.
Let us be glad that God can see past our outward form and can look at our hearts to comfort us - and let us try to do the same.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Robert
Job answered Eliphaz and said:
If only you would keep in mind that my words are influenced by my incredible suffering. On any other day I would have readily agreed with you. But I'm like a man in a battlefield that has just been struck by arrows - the time for reflection isn't here yet! I can see God's hand in everything that's happened to me, and that's made me terrified.
If you don't think there's a good cause for me to talk in anguish rather than with calm logic, consider this: Would a donkey bray for food if he were in the process of feeding? Would the Ox low for fodder while he was busy eating some already? In the same way, you're talking like I should be quiet like a satisfied man - when I'm far from satisfied. Isn't it natural that I should be in anguish and that my words would reflect that?
Would you be able to eat something tasteless without at least putting salt on it? There is no taste in the white of an egg: you wouldn't lecture an egg on being more tasty. No, you'd add salt. Don't expect me to be something I can't be. Your words should be salt for me, not reproof.
Right now I feel so bad that I'm suicidal. If God killed me that would seem like blissful release from this suffering. Do I have any children left to watch grow up? What do I have left to hope for? Do you expect me to have limitless strength and not be affected by this; hard like a stone, or with skin like metal? No, but my usual wisdom is driven away by these terrible events. I can't think straight!
Real friends show pity when their friend is in trouble, knowing they could be in the same boat one day, but you've forgotten that God did this, and could quite easily do the same to you. Your words aren't comforting to me. They seem like sound words, but when I try to find comfort in them, like thin ice, they break and reveal your underlying motives all too easily. You want to be gone, don't you, and not have to see me like this any more? You realise I've lost all my wealth, all my family, and you can see this disgusting plague, and it scares you because you're helpless to do anything. But I didn't ask you to come and help. I didn't expect you to come and save me from God. I didn't ask you to come and explain it all for me. If you could explain it, that's when I'd shut up and listen.
Your words are forceful and eloquent but what do they achieve when I'm not ready to be reasoned with? Are you satisfied with the fact that you can win an argument with a man in desperation - someone who can barely reason because of his anguish? Well, let that be your sport then, to listen carefully to me and trip me up whenever I say something out of line - but know this - you're laying a snare for a friend, and this is like digging a pit for an orphan.
Please. Come back.
Don't be looking for wrong in me. Look instead for my righteousness. It's perverse that you should look for wrong in a man that's already being chastened by God.
Rob de Jongh [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2013 Reply to Rob
To view any notes specific to the verses below, use the icons:
Comments made directly on this verse Comments made elsewhere with reference to this verse
Please note that comments referring to a range of verses will be generated for every verse in that range
1. But Job <347> answered <6030>(8799) and said <559>(8799),
2. Oh that <3863> my grief <3708> were throughly <8254>(8800) weighed <8254>(8735), and my calamity <1942>(8675) <1962> laid <5375>(8799) in the balances <3976> together <3162>!
3. For now it would be heavier <3513>(8799) than the sand <2344> of the sea <3220>: therefore my words <1697> are swallowed up <3886>(8804).
4. For the arrows <2671> of the Almighty <7706> are within <5978> me, the poison <2534> whereof drinketh up <8354>(8802) my spirit <7307>: the terrors <1161> of God <433> do set themselves in array <6186>(8799) against me.
5. Doth the wild ass <6501> bray <5101>(8799) when he hath grass <1877>? or loweth <1600>(8799) the ox <7794> over his fodder <1098>?
6. Can that which is unsavoury <8602> be eaten <398>(8735) without salt <4417>? or is there <3426> any taste <2940> in the white <7388> of an egg <2495>?
7. The things that my soul <5315> refused <3985>(8765) to touch <5060>(8800) are as my sorrowful <1741> meat <3899>.
8. Oh that I might have <935>(8799) my request <7596>; and that God <433> would grant <5414>(8799) me the thing that I long for <8615>!
9. Even that it would please <2974>(8686) God <433> to destroy <1792>(8762) me; that he would let loose <5425>(8686) his hand <3027>, and cut me off <1214>(8762)!
10. Then should I yet have comfort <5165>; yea, I would harden <5539>(8762) myself in sorrow <2427>: let him not spare <2550>(8799); for I have not concealed <3582>(8765) the words <561> of the Holy One <6918>.
11. What is my strength <3581>, that I should hope <3176>(8762)? and what is mine end <7093>, that I should prolong <748>(8686) my life <5315>?
12. Is my strength <3581> the strength <3581> of stones <68>? or is my flesh <1320> of brass <5153>?
13. Is not my help <5833> in me? and is wisdom <8454> driven quite <5080>(8738) from me?
14. To him that is afflicted <4523> pity <2617> should be shewed from his friend <7453>; but he forsaketh <5800>(8799) the fear <3374> of the Almighty <7706>.
15. My brethren <251> have dealt deceitfully <898>(8804) as a brook <5158>, and as the stream <650> of brooks <5158> they pass away <5674>(8799);
16. Which are blackish <6937>(8802) by reason of the ice <7140>, and wherein the snow <7950> is hid <5956>(8691):
17. What time <6256> they wax warm <2215>(8792), they vanish <6789>(8738): when it is hot <2527>, they are consumed out <1846>(8738) of their place <4725>.
18. The paths <734> of their way <1870> are turned aside <3943>(8735); they go <5927>(8799) to nothing <8414>, and perish <6>(8799).
19. The troops <734> of Tema <8485> looked <5027>(8689), the companies <1979> of Sheba <7614> waited <6960>(8765) for them.
20. They were confounded <954>(8804) because they had hoped <982>(8804); they came <935>(8804) thither, and were ashamed <2659>(8799).
21. For now ye are nothing; ye see <7200>(8799) my casting down <2866>, and are afraid <3372>(8799).
22. Did I say <559>(8804), Bring <3051>(8798) unto me? or, Give a reward <7809>(8798) for me of your substance <3581>?
23. Or, Deliver <4422>(8761) me from the enemy's <6862> hand <3027>? or, Redeem <6299>(8799) me from the hand <3027> of the mighty <6184>?
24. Teach <3384>(8685) me, and I will hold my tongue <2790>(8686): and cause me to understand <995>(8685) wherein I have erred <7686>(8804).
25. How forcible <4834>(8738) are right <3476> words <561>! but what doth your arguing <3198>(8687) reprove <3198>(8686)?
26. Do ye imagine <2803>(8799) to reprove <3198>(8687) words <4405>, and the speeches <561> of one that is desperate <2976>(8737), which are as wind <7307>?
27. Yea, ye overwhelm <5307>(8686) the fatherless <3490>, and ye dig <3738>(8799) a pit for your friend <7453>.
28. Now therefore be content <2974>(8685), look <6437>(8798) upon me; for it is evident unto you <6440> if I lie <3576>(8762).
29. Return <7725>(8798), I pray you, let it not be iniquity <5766>; yea, return again <7725>(8798), my righteousness <6664> is in it.
30. Is there <3426> iniquity <5766> in my tongue <3956>? cannot my taste <2441> discern <995>(8799) perverse things <1942>?
1. Is there not an appointed time <6635> to man <582> upon earth <776>? are not his days <3117> also like the days <3117> of an hireling <7916>?
2. As a servant <5650> earnestly desireth <7602>(8799) the shadow <6738>, and as an hireling <7916> looketh <6960>(8762) for the reward of his work <6467>:
3. So am I made to possess <5157>(8717) months <3391> of vanity <7723>, and wearisome <5999> nights <3915> are appointed <4487>(8765) to me.
4. When I lie down <7901>(8804), I say <559>(8804), When shall I arise <6965>(8799), and the night <6153> be gone <4059>? and I am full <7646>(8804) of tossings to and fro <5076> unto the dawning of the day <5399>.
5. My flesh <1320> is clothed <3847>(8804) with worms <7415> and clods <1487> of dust <6083>; my skin <5785> is broken <7280>(8804), and become loathsome <3988>(8735).
6. My days <3117> are swifter <7043>(8804) than a weaver's shuttle <708>, and are spent <3615>(8799) without <657> hope <8615>.
7. O remember <2142>(8798) that my life <2416> is wind <7307>: mine eye <5869> shall no more <7725>(8799) see <7200>(8800) good <2896>.
8. The eye <5869> of him that hath seen <7210> me shall see <7789>(8799) me no more: thine eyes <5869> are upon me, and I am not.
9. As the cloud <6051> is consumed <3615>(8804) and vanisheth away <3212>(8799): so he that goeth down <3381>(8802) to the grave <7585> shall come up <5927>(8799) no more.
10. He shall return <7725>(8799) no more to his house <1004>, neither shall his place <4725> know <5234>(8686) him any more.
11. Therefore I will not refrain <2820>(8799) my mouth <6310>; I will speak <1696>(8762) in the anguish <6862> of my spirit <7307>; I will complain <7878>(8799) in the bitterness <4751> of my soul <5315>.
12. Am I a sea <3220>, or a whale <8577>, that thou settest <7760>(8799) a watch <4929> over me?
13. When I say <559>(8804), My bed <6210> shall comfort <5162>(8762) me, my couch <4904> shall ease <5375>(8799) my complaint <7879>;
14. Then thou scarest <2865>(8765) me with dreams <2472>, and terrifiest <1204>(8762) me through visions <2384>:
15. So that my soul <5315> chooseth <977>(8799) strangling <4267>, and death <4194> rather than my life <6106>.
16. I loathe <3988>(8804) it; I would not live <2421>(8799) alway <5769>: let me alone <2308>(8798); for my days <3117> are vanity <1892>.
17. What is man <582>, that thou shouldest magnify <1431>(8762) him? and that thou shouldest set <7896>(8799) thine heart <3820> upon him?
18. And that thou shouldest visit <6485>(8799) him every morning <1242>, and try <974>(8799) him every moment <7281>?
19. How long <4100> wilt thou not depart <8159>(8799) from me, nor let me alone <7503>(8686) till I swallow down <1104>(8800) my spittle <7536>?
20. I have sinned <2398>(8804); what shall I do <6466>(8799) unto thee, O thou preserver <5341>(8802) of men <120>? why hast thou set <7760>(8804) me as a mark <4645> against thee, so that I am a burden <4853> to myself?
21. And why dost thou not pardon <5375>(8799) my transgression <6588>, and take away <5674>(8686) mine iniquity <5771>? for now shall I sleep <7901>(8799) in the dust <6083>; and thou shalt seek me in the morning <7836>(8765), but I shall not be.
Notes that are not verse specific
2:10 Israel probably thought that the land was their 'rest' and so would have been surprised by Micah's comment. However the true rest is for 'the people of God' (Hebrews 4:9). Those in Micah's day were not His servants even though they were His people.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
To view any notes specific to the verses below, use the icons:
Comments made directly on this verse Comments made elsewhere with reference to this verse
Please note that comments referring to a range of verses will be generated for every verse in that range
1. Woe <1945> to them that devise <2803>(8802) iniquity <205>, and work <6466>(8802) evil <7451> upon their beds <4904>! when the morning <1242> is light <216>, they practise <6213>(8799) it, because it is <3426> in the power <410> of their hand <3027>.
2. And they covet <2530>(8804) fields <7704>, and take them by violence <1497>(8804); and houses <1004>, and take them away <5375>(8804): so they oppress <6231>(8804) a man <1397> and his house <1004>, even a man <376> and his heritage <5159>.
3. Therefore thus saith <559>(8804) the LORD <3068>; Behold, against this family <4940> do I devise <2803>(8802) an evil <7451>, from which ye shall not remove <4185>(8686) your necks <6677>; neither shall ye go <3212>(8799) haughtily <7317>: for this time <6256> is evil <7451>.
4. In that day <3117> shall one take up <5375>(8799) a parable <4912> against you, and lament <5091>(8804) with a doleful <5093> lamentation <5092>, and say <559>(8804), We be utterly <7703>(8800) spoiled <7703>(8738): he hath changed <4171>(8686) the portion <2506> of my people <5971>: how hath he removed <4185>(8686) it from me! turning away <7725>(8788) he hath divided <2505>(8762) our fields <7704>.
5. Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast <7993>(8688) a cord <2256> by lot <1486> in the congregation <6951> of the LORD <3068>.
6. Prophesy <5197>(8686) ye not, say they to them that prophesy <5197>(8686): they shall not prophesy <5197>(8686) to them, that they shall not take <5253>(8799) shame <3639>.
7. O thou that art named <559>(8803) the house <1004> of Jacob <3290>, is the spirit <7307> of the LORD <3068> straitened <7114>(8804)? are these his doings <4611>? do not my words <1697> do good <3190>(8686) to him that walketh <1980>(8802) uprightly <3477>?
8. Even of late <865> my people <5971> is risen up <6965>(8787) as an enemy <341>(8802): ye pull off <6584>(8686) the robe <145> with <4136> the garment <8008> from them that pass <5674>(8802) by securely <983> as men averse <7725>(8803) from war <4421>.
9. The women <802> of my people <5971> have ye cast out <1644>(8762) from their pleasant <8588> houses <1004>; from their children <5768> have ye taken away <3947>(8799) my glory <1926> for ever <5769>.
10. Arise <6965>(8798) ye, and depart <3212>(8798); for this is not your rest <4496>: because it is polluted <2930>(8800), it shall destroy <2254>(8762) you, even with a sore <4834>(8737) destruction <2256>.
11. If <3863> a man <376> walking <1980>(8802) in the spirit <7307> and falsehood <8267> do lie <3576>(8765), saying, I will prophesy <5197>(8686) unto thee of wine <3196> and of strong drink <7941>; he shall even be the prophet <5197>(8688) of this people <5971>.
12. I will surely <622>(8800) assemble <622>(8799), O Jacob <3290>, all of thee; I will surely <6908>(8763) gather <6908>(8762) the remnant <7611> of Israel <3478>; I will put <7760>(8799) them together <3162> as the sheep <6629> of Bozrah <1223>(8677) <1224>, as the flock <5739> in the midst <8432> of their fold <1699>: they shall make great noise <1949>(8686) by reason of the multitude of men <120>.
13. The breaker <6555>(8802) is come up <5927>(8804) before <6440> them: they have broken up <6555>(8804), and have passed through <5674>(8799) the gate <8179>, and are gone out <3318>(8799) by it: and their king <4428> shall pass <5674>(8799) before <6440> them, and the LORD <3068> on the head <7218> of them.
Notes that are not verse specific
To view any notes specific to the verses below, use the icons:
Comments made directly on this verse Comments made elsewhere with reference to this verse
Please note that comments referring to a range of verses will be generated for every verse in that range
1. Wherefore <5105> seeing we <2249> also <2532> are <2192>(5723) compassed about <4029>(5740) <2254> with so great <5118> a cloud <3509> of witnesses <3144>, let <659> <0> us <2249> lay aside <659>(5642) every <3956> weight <3591>, and <2532> the sin <266> which doth so easily beset <2139> us, and let us run <5143>(5725) with <1223> patience <5281> the race <73> that is set before <4295>(5740) us <2254>,
2. Looking <872>(5723) unto <1519> Jesus <2424> the author <747> and <2532> finisher <5051> of our faith <4102>; who <3739> for <473> the joy <5479> that was set before <4295>(5740) him <848> endured <5278>(5656) the cross <4716>, despising <2706>(5660) the shame <152>, and <5037> is set down <2523>(5656) at <1722> the right hand <1188> of the throne <2362> of God <2316>.
3. For <1063> consider <357>(5663) him that endured <5278>(5761) such <5108> contradiction <485> of <5259> sinners <268> against <1519> himself <848>, lest <3363> ye be wearied <2577>(5632) and faint <1590>(5746) in your <5216> minds <5590>.
4. Ye have <478> <0> not yet <3768> resisted <478>(5627) unto <3360> blood <129>, striving <464>(5740) against <4314> sin <266>.
5. And <2532> ye have forgotten <1585>(5769) the exhortation <3874> which <3748> speaketh <1256>(5736) unto you <5213> as <5613> unto children <5207>, My <3450> son <5207>, despise <3643> <0> not <3361> thou <3643>(5720) the chastening <3809> of the Lord <2962>, nor <3366> faint <1590>(5744) when thou art rebuked <1651>(5746) of <5259> him <846>:
6. For <1063> whom <3739> the Lord <2962> loveth <25>(5719) he chasteneth <3811>(5719), and <1161> scourgeth <3146>(5719) every <3956> son <5207> whom <3739> he receiveth <3858>(5736).
7. If <1487> ye endure <5278>(5719) chastening <3809>, God <2316> dealeth <4374>(5743) with you <5213> as <5613> with sons <5207>; for <1063> what <5101> son <5207> is he <2076>(5748) whom <3739> the father <3962> chasteneth <3811>(5719) not <3756>?
8. But <1161> if <1487> ye be <2075>(5748) without <5565> chastisement <3809>, whereof <3739> all <3956> are <1096>(5754) partakers <3353>, then <686> are ye <2075>(5748) bastards <3541>, and <2532> not <3756> sons <5207>.
9. Furthermore <1534> <3303> we have had <2192>(5707) fathers <3962> of our <2257> flesh <4561> which corrected <3810> us, and <2532> we gave them reverence <1788>(5710): shall we <5293> <0> not <3756> much <4183> rather <3123> be in subjection <5293>(5691) unto the Father <3962> of spirits <4151>, and <2532> live <2198>(5692)?
10. For <1063> they verily <3303> for <4314> a few <3641> days <2250> chastened <3811>(5707) us after <2596> their own <848> pleasure <1380>(5723); but <1161> he for <1909> our profit <4851>(5723), that <1519> we might be partakers <3335>(5629) of his <846> holiness <41>.
11. Now <1161> no <3956> <3756> chastening <3809> for <4314> <3303> the present <3918>(5752) seemeth <1380>(5719) to be <1511>(5750) joyous <5479>, but <235> grievous <3077>: nevertheless <1161> afterward <5305> it yieldeth <591>(5719) the peaceable <1516> fruit <2590> of righteousness <1343> unto them which are exercised <1128>(5772) thereby <1223> <846>.
12. Wherefore <1352> lift up <461>(5657) the hands <5495> which hang down <3935>(5772), and <2532> the feeble <3886>(5772) knees <1119>;
13. And <2532> make <4160>(5657) straight <3717> paths <5163> for your <5216> feet <4228>, lest that <3363> which is lame <5560> be turned out of the way <1624>(5652); but <1161> let it <2390> <0> rather <3123> be healed <2390>(5686).
14. Follow <1377>(5720) peace <1515> with <3326> all <3956> men, and <2532> holiness <38>, without <5565> which <3739> no man <3762> shall see <3700>(5695) the Lord <2962>:
15. Looking diligently <1983>(5723) lest <3361> any man <5100> fail <5302>(5723) of <575> the grace <5485> of God <2316>; lest <3361> any <5100> root <4491> of bitterness <4088> springing <5453>(5723) up <507> trouble <1776>(5725) you, and <2532> thereby <1223> <5026> many <4183> be defiled <3392>(5686);
16. Lest <3361> there be any <5100> fornicator <4205>, or <2228> profane person <952>, as <5613> Esau <2269>, who <3739> for <473> one <3391> morsel of meat <1035> sold <591>(5639) his <848> birthright <4415>.
17. For <1063> ye know <2467>(5759) how <3754> that afterward <2532> <3347>, when he would <2309>(5723) have inherited <2816>(5658) the blessing <2129>, he was rejected <593>(5681): for <1063> he found <2147>(5627) no <3756> place <5117> of repentance <3341>, though <2539> he sought <1567> <0> it <846> carefully <1567>(5660) with <3326> tears <1144>.
18. For <1063> ye are <4334> <0> not <3756> come <4334>(5754) unto the mount <3735> that might be touched <5584>(5746), and <2532> that burned <2545>(5772) with fire <4442>, nor <2532> unto blackness <1105>, and <2532> darkness <4655>, and <2532> tempest <2366>,
19. And <2532> the sound <2279> of a trumpet <4536>, and <2532> the voice <5456> of words <4487>; which <3739> voice they that heard <191>(5660) intreated <3868>(5662) that the word <3056> should <4369> <0> not <3361> <0> be spoken <4369>(5683) to them <846> any more <3361>:
20. (For <1063> they could <5342> <0> not <3756> endure <5342>(5707) that which was commanded <1291>(5746), And if so much as <2579> a beast <2342> touch <2345>(5632) the mountain <3735>, it shall be stoned <3036>(5701), or <2228> thrust through <2700>(5701) with a dart <1002>:
21. And <2532> so <3779> terrible <5398> was <2258>(5713) the sight <5324>(5746), that Moses <3475> said <2036>(5627), I exceedingly fear <1630> <1510>(5748) and <2532> quake <1790>:)
22. But <235> ye are come <4334>(5754) unto mount <3735> Sion <4622>, and <2532> unto the city <4172> of the living <2198>(5723) God <2316>, the heavenly <2032> Jerusalem <2419>, and <2532> to an innumerable company <3461> of angels <32>,
23. To the general assembly <3831> and <2532> church <1577> of the firstborn <4416>, which are written <583>(5772) in <1722> heaven <3772>, and <2532> to God <2316> the Judge <2923> of all <3956>, and <2532> to the spirits <4151> of just men <1342> made perfect <5048>(5772),
24. And <2532> to Jesus <2424> the mediator <3316> of the new <3501> covenant <1242>, and <2532> to the blood <129> of sprinkling <4473>, that speaketh <2980>(5723) better things <2909> than <3844> that of Abel <6>.
25. See <991>(5720) that ye refuse <3868>(5667) not <3361> him that speaketh <2980>(5723). For <1063> if <1487> they <1565> escaped <5343>(5627) not <3756> who refused him <3868>(5666) that spake <5537>(5723) on <1909> earth <1093>, much <4183> more <3123> shall not we <2249> escape, if we turn away from him <654>(5734) that speaketh from <575> heaven <3772>:
26. Whose <3739> voice <5456> then <5119> shook <4531>(5656) the earth <1093>: but <1161> now <3568> he hath promised <1861>(5766), saying <3004>(5723), Yet <2089> once more <530> I <1473> shake <4579>(5719) not <3756> the earth <1093> only <3440>, but <235> also <2532> heaven <3772>.
27. And <1161> this word, Yet <2089> once more <530>, signifieth <1213>(5719) the removing <3331> of those things that are shaken <4531>(5746), as <5613> of things that are made <4160>(5772), that <2443> those things which cannot <3361> be shaken <4531>(5746) may remain <3306>(5661).
28. Wherefore <1352> we receiving <3880>(5723) a kingdom <932> which cannot be moved <761>, let us have <2192>(5725) grace <5485>, whereby <1223> <3739> we may serve <3000>(5725) God <2316> acceptably <2102> with <3326> reverence <127> and <2532> godly fear <2124>:
29. For <2532> <1063> our <2257> God <2316> is a consuming <2654>(5723) fire <4442>.