Verse 1

Surely. This is the continuation of Zophar"s last address. Not Job"s words. Compare Job 35:16; Job 38:2. They are opposed to his own words, and confirm those of his friends. Compare his second address, Job 20:1-29.

is = doth exist.

vein = outlet: i.e. mine, or shaft.

Verse 2

earths = dust.

Verse 3

he = man: i.e. the miner.

Verse 4

men = mortal men.

Verse 8

lion"s whelps = sons of pride: i.e. ravenous beasts. nor = and . . . not.

Verse 9

rock = flint.

Verse 22

Destruction. Hebrew. Abaddon.

Verse 23

winds. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Verse 28

the fear = the reverence.

the LORD*. One of the 134 alterations of the Sopherim (App-32), by which the name "Jehovah" in the primitive text, was changed to Adonai.

that is wisdom. This was a libel on Job, for Job had this "fear" or reverence; yet he was suffering. That was the very point in question, and leads up to the answer. This was Zophar"s philosophy. The fear of the LORD is not true wisdom; it is only "the beginning of wisdom" (Psalms 111:10. Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom is to take the place of the sinner before God, and Job takes this place (Job 42:5, Job 42:6). This is "the end of the LORD" (James 5:11), and it is "the end" of this book. This wisdom "justifies God" (Psalms 51:3, Psalms 51:4, Psalms 51:6. Matthew 11:19. Luke 7:35). True wisdom is "given", and we have to be "made" to know it (Proverbs 30:24. 2 Timothy 3:15. 2 Timothy 38:36). Compare Job 33:27, Job 33:28; Job 34:31; Job 35:11; Job 39:17. Zophar"s was human wisdom founded on human merit. To depart from evil is what every prudent man would do from good policy.