The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 283

this chapter has been considered in the in- Ver. 3.-La.y down now;; or; giflfl•Mf.D a troductory seotion to eh. xvi. It is occu- pl.edge (see the Revised Verdion), · · The terms pied ID.Rinly with Job's complaints of his used in this verse are law terms. Job calls treatment by his .friends, and his lamen- upon •God. ..to go ,into court with him, and, tations over hissml'erings(V81'11. l-12). At first of all, to deposit the caution-money the end he appeals to the grave, as the only which the oourt will require before it under- takes. the investigation of the oo.se.. Next, hope or comfort left to him (vers. 13-16). he goes on to sar, put me in a surety with thee; or rather (u in the Revised Version), Ver. 1.-lty breath is oorrupt; or, my be ,urety I OT me with thyself, which is either 1Jpfrit u OJ¥eued. But the physical mean- the same thing with giving a pledge, or-a ing is ti,e more probable one. A fetid further legal requirement. Finally, be a.eke breath is one of the surest signs of ap- the question, Who is he that will· strike proaching dissolution. lty day& are ex- ha.ads with me! meaning, ·" Who else is tinct; or, cut off. The verb used does not there but thyself, to whom I ee.n look to occur e!Bewl,ere. The graves ftl'e ready for be my surety, and by striking he.nds (conip. me; or, the eha:mben of the grave are mim Prov. vi. I) with me to accept the legal akeady. The plural form is best exple.ined responsibility?" As Dr.. Ste.nley Lee.th011 Ly regarding it u referring to the niches se.ys, "It is wonderful the we.yin which the oommonly cut in e. sepulchral chamber to re- language of Job fits in with what.we have ceive the bodies of the departed (see Smith's since and elsewl,i.ere learnt concerning the • Dictionary of the Bible,' vol. iii pp. 1528- Persons in the Godhead." 1536). Ver. 4.-P'or thou hast ·hid their heart Ver. 2.-Are there not moaken with met from understanding. My 110-ce.lled fl'iends literally, moolcaiel-tbe e.betract for the oon- will certainly not undertake for me, sinoe cret<:. (For the sentiment, comp. eh. xvi. thou hast blinded their eyes and hatdened 20 e.nd :ux. 1-14.) And doth DOt mine e7e their hearts againlt me. Therefore lhe.U  CJII, XVII, 1--16,] THE BOOK OF JOB.