Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

“Orion--Hebrew, "the fool"; in Job 38:31 he appears fettered with "bands." The old legend represented this star as a hero, who presumptuously rebelled against God, and was therefore a fool, and was chained in the sky as a punishment; for its rising is at the…”

Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.

“I see him not: he passeth on--The image is that of a howling wind (Isa 21:1). Like it when it bursts invisibly upon man, so God is felt in the awful effects of His wrath, but is not seen (Joh 3:8).”

God does not restrain His anger; the helpers of Rahab cower beneath Him.

“If God--rather, "God will not withdraw His anger," that is, so long as a mortal obstinately resists [UMBREIT]. the proud helpers--The arrogant, who would help one contending with the Almighty, are of no avail against Him.”

For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.

“Though I were conscious of no sin, yet I would not dare to say so, but leave it to His judgment and mercy to justify me (1Co 4:4). 16, 17.”

Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

“Literally, here (and in Job 9:20), "I perfect! I should not know my soul! I would despise," [that is], "disown my life"; that is, Though conscious of innocence, I should be compelled, in contending with the infinite God, to ignore my own soul and despise…”

When the scourge brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.

“If--Rather, "While (His) scourge slays suddenly (the wicked, Job 9:22), He laughs at (disregards; not derides) the pining away of the innocent."”

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

“Referring to righteous "judges," in antithesis to "the wicked" in the parallel first clause, whereas the wicked oppressor often has the earth given into his hand, the righteous judges are led to execution--culprits had their faces covered preparatory to execution (Es 7:8).”

Did You not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese?

“In the organization of the body from its rude commencements, the original liquid gradually assumes a more solid consistency, like milk curdling into cheese (Ps 139:15, 16). Science reveals that the chyle circulated by the lacteal vessels is the supply to every organ.”

to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”

“Three Hebrew words are used for darkness; in Job 10:21 (1) the common word "darkness"; here (2) "a land of gloom" (from a Hebrew root, "to cover up"); (3) as "thick darkness" or blackness (from a root, expressing sunset).”

“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

“Zophar assails Job for his empty words, and indirectly, the two friends, for their weak reply. Taciturnity is highly prized among Orientals (Pr 10:8, 19).”

They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

“It--the "wisdom" of God (Job 11:6). The abruptness of the Hebrew is forcible: "The heights of heaven! What canst thou do" (as to attaining to them with thy gaze, Ps 139:8)? know--namely, of His perfections.”

if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

“Rather, "if thou wilt put far away the iniquity in thine hand" (as Zaccheus did, Lu 19:8). The apodosis or conclusion is at Job 11:15, "then shalt thou," &c.”

then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.

“Zophar refers to Job's own words (Job 10:15), "yet will I not lift up my head," even though righteous. Zophar declares, if Job will follow his advice, he may "lift up his face." spot-- (De 32:5).”

You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

“The experience of thy life will teach thee there is hope for man in every trial. dig--namely, wells; the chief necessity in the East. Better, "though now ashamed (Ro 5:5, opposed to the previous 'hope'), thou shalt then rest safely" [GESENIUS];”

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

“The wicked--that is, obdurate sinners. eyes . . . fail--that is, in vain look for relief (De 28:65). Zophar implies Job's only hope of relief is in a change of heart. they shall not escape--literally, "every refuge shall vanish from them."”

The one at ease scorns misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

“Rather, "a torch" (lamp) is an object of contempt in the thoughts of him who rests securely (is at ease), though it was prepared for the falterings of the feet [UMBREIT] (Pr 25:19).”

Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?

“Each chooses according to his taste. The connection with Job 12:12 is in reference to Bildad's appeal to the "ancients" (Job 8:8). You are right in appealing to them, since "with them was wisdom," &c.”

Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His.

“In contrast to, "with the ancient is wisdom" (Job 12:12), Job quotes a saying of the ancients which suits his argument, "with Him (God) is (the true) wisdom" (Pr 8:14); and by that "wisdom and strength" "He breaketh down," &c., as an absolute Sovereign, not…”

He loosens the bonds placed by kings and fastens a belt around their waists.

“He looseth the bond of kings--He looseth the authority of kings--the "bond" with which they bind their subjects (Isa 45:1; Da 2:21).”

He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.

“Ps 107:40 quotes, in its first clause, this verse and, in its second, Job 12:24. weakeneth the strength--literally, "looseth the girdle"; Orientals wear flowing garments; when active strength is to be put forth, they gird up their garments with a girdle.”

Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

“A proverb for, "Why should I anxiously desire to save my life?" [EICHORN]. The image in the first clause is that of a wild beast, which in order to preserve his prey, carries it in his teeth.”

How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

“The catalogue of my sins ought to be great, to judge from the severity with which God ever anew crushes one already bowed down. Would that He would reckon them up! He then would see how much my calamities outnumber them.”

Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?

“Job compares himself to a leaf already fallen, which the storm still chases hither and thither. break--literally, "shake with (Thy) terrors." Jesus Christ does not "break the bruised reed" (Isa 42:3, 27:8).”

For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.

“The sentence of the condemned used to be written down (Isa 10:1; Ps 149:9) [UMBREIT]. bitter things--bitter punishments. makest me to possess--or "inherit." In old age he receives possession of the inheritance of sin thoughtlessly acquired in youth.”

look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand.

“Turn--namely, Thine eyes from watching him so jealously (Job 14:3). hireling-- (Job 7:1). accomplish--rather, "enjoy."”