The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 269

EXPOSITION. OHAPTER XVI. 10-16) he alternates between reproaches addressed to his friends ( vers. 10, 12) and Job answers the second speech of Eliphaz lamentations over his own condition (vers. in a discourse which occupies two (short) 11, 13-16). chapters, o.nd is thus not much more lengthy than the speech of his anto.gonist. His tone Vere. I, 2.-Then J'ob answered a.nd said, is very despail'ing. He finds no help at all I have heard many suoh things. There in the speeches of the "comforters" (vers. was nothing new in the second speech of 2-6), and turns from them to consider once Eliphaz, if we except its increased bitter- ness. Job bad heard all the commonplaces more the dealings of God with him (vers. about the universal sinfulness of man, a.nd 7-14). Next, he describes his own pro- the invariable connection between sin and ceedings under his afflictions, and appeals suffering, a thousand times before. It was to earth aud heaven, and Goel in heaven, the traditional belief in which he and all to take up his cause and help him (\"era. those about him had been brought up. But it brought him no relief. The reiteration 15-22). In oh. xvii. he continues much in of it only macle him feel that there was the same strain, but with an intermixture neither comfort nor instruction to be g,,t of the topics, which is somewlmt confusing. from his so-called " comforters." Hence his In vers. 1, 2 he bewails himself; in ver. 3 outburst. Miserable comforters are ye all! he m11kcs 11n appeal to God; in vere. 4, 5 Yer. 3.-Shall vain words have 11.ll end 1 literally, o.s in the mo.rgin, tcords of i<"in,l; he reflects upon his "comforters;" in vers. i.e. words which pass by a man "8.S the 6-0 he returns to himself 11nd his prospects; idle wind which he regards not." Will his while iu the remainder of tho chapter (vcrs. friends never bring their futile speaking to  THE BOOK OF JOI3. Coit, XVI, 1-22.