translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: JOB

label: NET study note

text: The verbs “walk” and “hasten” (referring in the verse to the foot) are used metaphorically for the manner of life Job lived.


text: The meaning is “been led by what my eyes see.”


text: Here is the apodosis, the imprecation Job pronounces on himself if he has done any of these things just listed.


text: The law required people to help their enemies if they could ( Exod 23:4 ; also Prov 20:22 ). But often in the difficulties that ensued, they did exult over their enemies’ misfortune ( Pss 54:7; 59:10 [11], etc.). But Job lived on a level of purity that few ever reach. Duhm said, “If chapter is the crown of all ethical developments of the O.T., verse 29 is the jewel in that crown.”


text: The line is difficult to sort out. Job is saying it is sinful “if his men have never said, ‘O that there was one who has not been satisfied from his food.’” If they never said that, it would mean there were people out there who needed to be satisfied with his food.


text: Some commentators suggest taking the meaning here to be “as Adam,” referring to the Paradise story of the sin and denial.


text: Many commentators place vv. 38-40 b at the end of v. 34 , so that there is no return to these conditional clauses after his final appeal.