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Text -- Job 4:2 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
4:2 “If someone should attempt a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Presumption | POETRY, HEBREW | Job | Heathen | GRIEF; GRIEVE | Eliphaz | ASSAY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Job 4:2 - -- _He speaks with great modesty. He will not undertake the cause alone, but joins his friends with him. He will not promise much, but only assay, or try...

_He speaks with great modesty. He will not undertake the cause alone, but joins his friends with him. He will not promise much, but only assay, or try if he could propose any thing pertinent to Job's case.

Wesley: Job 4:2 - -- When he hears such words from such a person as thou art.

When he hears such words from such a person as thou art.

JFB: Job 4:2 - -- Rather, two questions, "May we attempt a word with thee? Wilt thou be grieved at it?" Even pious friends often count that only a touch which we feel a...

Rather, two questions, "May we attempt a word with thee? Wilt thou be grieved at it?" Even pious friends often count that only a touch which we feel as a wound.

Clarke: Job 4:2 - -- If we assay to commune with thee - As if he had said, Should I and my friends endeavor to reason with thee ever so mildly, because we shall have man...

If we assay to commune with thee - As if he had said, Should I and my friends endeavor to reason with thee ever so mildly, because we shall have many things to say by way of reprehension, thou wilt be grieved and faint; and this we may reasonably infer from the manner in which thou bearest thy present afflictions. Yet as thou hast uttered words which are injurious to thy Maker, who can forbear speaking? It is our duty to rise up on the part of God, though thereby we shall grieve him who is our friend. This was a plausible beginning, and certainly was far from being insincere.

TSK: Job 4:2 - -- to commune : Heb. a word wilt thou : 2Co 2:4-6, 2Co 7:8-10 withhold himself from speaking : Heb. refrain from words, Job 32:18-20; Jer 6:11, Jer 20:9;...

to commune : Heb. a word

wilt thou : 2Co 2:4-6, 2Co 7:8-10

withhold himself from speaking : Heb. refrain from words, Job 32:18-20; Jer 6:11, Jer 20:9; Act 4:20

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Job 4:2 - -- If we assay to commune with thee - Margin, A word. Hebrew - הנסה דבר dâbâr hanı̂câh . "May we attempt a word with th...

If we assay to commune with thee - Margin, A word. Hebrew - הנסה דבר dâbâr hanı̂câh . "May we attempt a word with thee?"This is a gentle and polite apology at the beginning of his speech - an inquiry whether he would take it as unkind if one should adventure on a remark in the way of argument. Jahn, in characterizing the part which Job’ s three friends respectively take in the controversy, says: "Eliphaz is superior to the others in discernment and delicacy. He begins by addressing Job mildly; and it is not until irritated by opposition that he reckons him among the wicked."

Wilt thou be grieved? - That is, Wilt thou take it ill? Will it be offensive to you, or weary you, or tire your patience? The word used here ( לאה lâ'âh ) means to labor, to strive, to weary, to exhaust; and hence, to be weary, to try one’ s patience, to take anything ill. Here it is the language of courtesy, and is designed to introduce the subsequent remarks in the kindest manner. Eliphaz knew that he was about to make observations which might implicate Job, and he introduced them in as kind a manner as possible. There is nothing abrupt or harsh in his beginning. All is courteous in the highest degree, and is a model for debaters.

But who can withhold himself from speaking? - Margin, "Refrain from words."That is, "the subject is so important, the sentiments advanced by Job are so extraordinary, and the principles involved are so momentous, that it is impossible to refrain."There is much delicacy in this. He did not begin to speak merely to make a speech. He professes that be would not have spoken, if he had not been pressed by the importance of the subject, and had not been full of matter. To a great extent, this is a good rule to adopt: not to make a speech unless there are sentiments which weigh upon the mind, and convictions of duty which cannot be repressed.

Poole: Job 4:2 - -- Wilt thou be grieved? or, (without a note of interrogation,) thou wilt be grieved . Our words will undoubtedly vex thee, and not comfort thee, as we...

Wilt thou be grieved? or, (without a note of interrogation,) thou wilt be grieved . Our words will undoubtedly vex thee, and not comfort thee, as we intended and desired to do. We must not use words of comfort, but of sharp reproof, which will be irksome to thee; and this makes me desire to be silent, if it were possible.

Who can withhold himself from speaking when he hears such unreasonable and ungodly words coming from such a person as thou art, whereby thou dost accuse thy Maker, and reproach his providence, and contemn his blessings? No man who hath any respect to God, or love to thee, can forbear reproving thee.

Haydock: Job 4:2 - -- Conceived? and to which the speech of Job had given occasion. (Menochius) --- Septuagint, "Who shall bear the force of thy words? For if thou," &c...

Conceived? and to which the speech of Job had given occasion. (Menochius) ---

Septuagint, "Who shall bear the force of thy words? For if thou," &c. (Haydock)

Gill: Job 4:2 - -- If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?.... Eliphaz speaks in the name of himself and his two friends, who had doubtless consulted to...

If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?.... Eliphaz speaks in the name of himself and his two friends, who had doubtless consulted together, and compared their sentiments of Job; which appearing to be the same, they formed a plan and scheme in which they should attack him, and the part which each should take, and the order in which they should proceed: these words are said, either as seemingly doubting whether they should speak or be silent; for they may be rendered, "shall we try", or attempt, to drop or speak a "word to thee"; to enter into a conversation with thee? or, "shall we take up a discourse", and carry it on with thee, "who art grieved" already? or art weary and heavy laden, and bore down with the burden of affliction, with sorrows and troubles; or art impatient h under them; we fear, should we, that thou wilt be more grieved and burdened, and become more impatient; and therefore know not well what to do: or else, as supposing and taking it for granted that he would be grieved and burdened, and made more restless and uneasy, impatient and outrageous, yet they had determined to enter into a debate with him; for so the words are by some rendered, "should we speak a word unto thee"; or, "against thee" i; even should the least word be spoken against thee, thou wilt be weary k, or burdened, or grieved, or take it ill: we know thou wilt; yet, nevertheless, we must not, we cannot, we will not forbear speaking: or else interrogatively, as our version and others, "wilt thou be grieved?" we desire thou wouldest not, nor take it ill from us, but all in good part; we mean no hurt, we design no ill, but thy good, and beg thou wilt hear us patiently: this shows how great a man Job had been, and in what reverence and respect he was had, that his friends bespeak him after this manner in his low estate; however, this was artifice in them, to introduce the discourse, and bring on the debate after this sort:

but who can withhold himself from speaking? be it as it will; Eliphaz suggests, though Job was already and greatly burdened, and would be more so, and break out into greater impatience, yet there was a necessity of speaking, it could not be forborne; no man could refrain himself from speaking, nor ought in such a case, when the providence of God was reflected upon, and he was blasphemed and evil spoken of, and charged with injustice, as was supposed; in such circumstances, no good, no faithful man, could or ought to keep silence; indeed, when the glory of God, the honour of the Redeemer, and the good of souls require it, and a man's own reputation with respect to his faithfulness lies at stake, silence should not be kept, let the consequence be as it may; but how far this was the case may be considered.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Job 4:2 The construction uses a noun with the preposition: “and to refrain with words – who is able?” The Aramaic plural of “wordsR...

Geneva Bible: Job 4:2 [If] we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but ( a ) who can withhold himself from speaking? ( a ) Seeing your impatience.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Job 4:1-21 - --1 Eliphaz reproves Job for want of religion.7 He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked.12 His fearful vision to humb...

MHCC: Job 4:1-6 - --Satan undertook to prove Job a hypocrite by afflicting him; and his friends concluded him to be one because he was so afflicted, and showed impatience...

Matthew Henry: Job 4:1-6 - -- In these verses, I. Eliphaz excuses the trouble he is now about to give to Job by his discourse (Job 4:2): " If we assay a word with thee, offer a ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Job 4:2-5 - -- 2 If one attempts a word with thee, will it grieve thee? And still to restrain himself from words, who is able? 3 Behold, thou hast instructed man...

Constable: Job 4:1--14:22 - --B. The First Cycle of Speeches between Job and His Three Friends chs. 4-14 The two soliloquies of Job (c...

Constable: Job 4:1--5:27 - --1. Eliphaz's first speech chs. 4-5 Eliphaz's first speech has a symmetrical introverted (chiasti...

Constable: Job 4:1-6 - --Eliphaz's rebuke of Job 4:1-6 Eliphaz began courteously but moved quickly to criticism. ...

Guzik: Job 4:1-21 - --Job 4 and 5 - The First Speech of Eliphaz This begins a long section in the Book of Job where Job's friends counsel him and he answers them. His frien...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Job (Book Introduction) JOB A REAL PERSON.--It has been supposed by some that the book of Job is an allegory, not a real narrative, on account of the artificial character of ...

JFB: Job (Outline) THE HOLINESS OF JOB, HIS WEALTH, &c. (Job 1:1-5) SATAN, APPEARING BEFORE GOD, FALSELY ACCUSES JOB. (Job 1:6-12) SATAN FURTHER TEMPTS JOB. (Job 2:1-8)...

TSK: Job (Book Introduction) A large aquatic animal, perhaps the extinct dinosaur, plesiosaurus, the exact meaning is unknown. Some think this to be a crocodile but from the desc...

TSK: Job 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Job 4:1, Eliphaz reproves Job for want of religion; Job 4:7, He teaches God’s judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked...

Poole: Job 4 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 4 Eliphaz speaketh, though it will grieve Job, Job 4:1,2 . Job had instructed and strengthened others in their sorrows, but now fainted him...

MHCC: Job (Book Introduction) This book is so called from Job, whose prosperity, afflictions, and restoration, are here recorded. He lived soon after Abraham, or perhaps before tha...

MHCC: Job 4 (Chapter Introduction) (Job 4:1-6) Eliphaz reproves Job. (Job 4:7-11) And maintains that God's judgments are for the wicked. (Job 4:12-21) The vision of Eliphaz.

Matthew Henry: Job (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Job This book of Job stands by itself, is not connected with any other, and is therefore to...

Matthew Henry: Job 4 (Chapter Introduction) Job having warmly given vent to his passion, and so broken the ice, his friends here come gravely to give vent to their judgment upon his case, whi...

Constable: Job (Book Introduction) Introduction Title This book, like many others in the Old Testament, got its name from...

Constable: Job (Outline) Outline I. Prologue chs. 1-2 A. Job's character 1:1-5 B. Job's calamitie...

Constable: Job Job Bibliography Andersen, Francis I. Job. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series. Leicester, Eng. and Downe...

Haydock: Job (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF JOB. INTRODUCTION. This Book takes its name from the holy man, of whom it treats; who, according to the more probable opinion, was ...

Gill: Job (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JOB This book, in the Hebrew copies, generally goes by this name, from Job, who is however the subject, if not the writer of it. In...

Gill: Job 4 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JOB 4 Job's sore afflictions, and his behaviour under them, laid the foundation of a dispute between him and his three friends, whi...

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