Read Job chapter 15 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 15 is part of “Second Cycle of Dialogue” (15–21) in the outline of Job.
Job 15 summary
Perhaps Job was so clear, and so well satisfied, in the goodness of his own cause, that he thought, if he had not convinced, yet he had at least silenced all his three friends; but, it seems he had not: in this chapter they begin a second attack upon him, each of them charging him afresh with as much vehemence as before. It is natural to us to be fond of our own sentiments, and therefore to be firm to them, and with difficulty to be brought to recede from them. Eliphaz here keeps close to the principles upon which he had condemned Job, and, I. He reproves him for justifying himself, and fathers on him many evil things which are unfairly inferred thence (Job 15:2-13). II. He persuades him to humble himself before God and to take shame to himself (Job 15:14-16). III. He reads him a long lecture concerning the woeful estate of wicked people, who harden their hearts against God and the judgments which are prepared for them (v. 17-35). A good use may be made both of his reproofs (for they are plain) and of his doctrine (for it is sound), though both the one and the other are misapplied to Job.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and saide,
2 Shal a wise man speake words of ye winde, and fill his bellie with the East winde?
3 Shall he dispute with wordes not comely? or with talke that is not profitable?
4 Surely thou hast cast off feare, and restrainest prayer before God.
5 For thy mouth declareth thine iniquitie, seeing thou hast chosen ye tongue of the crafty.
6 Thine owne mouth condemneth thee, and not I, and thy lippes testifie against thee.
7 Art thou the first man, that was borne? and wast thou made before the hils?
8 Hast thou heard the secret counsell of God, and doest thou restraine wisedome to thee?
9 What knowest thou that we knowe not? and vnderstandest that is not in vs?
10 With vs are both auncient and very aged men, farre older then thy father.
11 Seeme the consolations of God small vnto thee? is this thing strange vnto thee?
12 Why doeth thine heart take thee away, and what doe thine eyes meane,
13 That thou answerest to God at thy pleasure, and bringest such wordes out of thy mouth?
14 What is man, that he should be cleane? and he that is borne of woman, that he shoulde be iust?
15 Beholde, he founde no stedfastnesse in his Saintes: yea, the heauens are not cleane in his sight.
16 How much more is man abominable, and filthie, which drinketh iniquitie like water?
17 I will tell thee: heare me, and I will declare that which I haue seene:
18 Which wise men haue tolde, as they haue heard of their fathers, and haue not kept it secret:
19 To whome alone the land was giuen and no stranger passed through them.
20 The wicked man is continually as one that traueileth of childe, and the nomber of yeeres is hid from the tyrant.
21 A sounde of feare is in his eares, and in his prosperitie the destroyer shall come vpon him.
22 He beleeueth not to returne out of darknesse: for he seeth the sworde before him.
23 He wandreth to and from for bread where he may: he knoweth that the day of darkenesse is prepared at hande.
24 Affliction and anguish shall make him afraide: they shall preuaile against him as a King readie to the battell.
25 For he hath stretched out his hand against GOD, and made him selfe strong against the Almightie.
26 Therefore God shall runne vpon him, euen vpon his necke, and against the most thicke part of his shielde.
27 Because he hath couered his face with his fatnesse, and hath colloppes in his flancke.
28 Though he dwell in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, but are become heapes,
29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof in the earth.
30 He shall neuer depart out of darkenesse: the flame shall drie vp his branches, and he shall goe away with the breath of his mouth.
31 He beleeueth not that he erreth in vanitie: therefore vanitie shalbe his change.
32 His branch shall not be greene, but shall be cut off before his day.
33 God shall destroy him as the vine her sower grape, and shall cast him off, as the oliue doeth her flowre.
34 For the congregation of the hypocrite shalbe desolate, and fire shall deuoure the houses of bribes.
35 For they conceiue mischiefe and bring foorth vanitie, and their bellie hath prepared deceite.