Proverbs 3:26(v6)for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
Proverbs 14:26(v6)In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
Job 1:1(v6)There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from…
Job 17:15(v6)where then is my hope? as for my hope, who will see it?
Job 23:11-12(v6)My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away. I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have…
Show all 47 cross-references
Job 13:15(v6)Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
Job 16:17(v6)Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
2 Kings 20:3(v6)“Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your…
Job 29:12-17(v6)Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him, the blessing of him who was ready to perish…
1 Peter 1:13(v6)Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of…
Job 1:8-10(v6)Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one…
Job 27:5-6(v6)Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me. I hold fast to my righteousness, and…
1 Peter 1:17(v6)If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as…
Job 31:1-40(v6)“I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman? For what is the portion from God above, and the…
Isaiah 35:3(v3)Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm.
Hebrews 12:12(vv3–4)Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
Job 16:5(v3)but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
Job 19:21(v5)“Have pity on me. Have pity on me, you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me.
Proverbs 10:21(v3)The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
Luke 22:32(v3)but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”
Deuteronomy 3:28(v3)But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit…
Psalms 145:14(v4)Yahweh upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down.
Proverbs 12:18(v4)There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
Luke 22:43(v3)An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.
2 Corinthians 4:16(v5)Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
Ephesians 4:29(v3)Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to…
1 Thessalonians 5:14(v4)We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all.
Genesis 18:19(v3)For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do…
Job 1:11(v5)But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.”
Job 2:5(v5)But stretch out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face.”
Job 3:25-26(v5)For the thing which I fear comes on me, That which I am afraid of comes to me. I am not at ease, neither am I quiet, neither have I rest;…
Job 6:14(v5)“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Proverbs 15:7(v3)The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
Proverbs 16:21(v3)The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
Proverbs 16:23-24(v4)The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to…
Proverbs 24:10(v5)If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
Isaiah 35:3-4(v4)Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm. Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your…
Isaiah 50:4(v3)The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens…
Ezekiel 13:22(v3)Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he…
Daniel 5:6(v4)Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck…
2 Corinthians 2:7(v4)so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his…
2 Corinthians 4:1(v5)Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
2 Corinthians 7:6(v4)Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
Hebrews 12:3(v5)For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.
Hebrews 12:5(v5)You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor…
Ezra 6:22(v3)and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; because Yahweh had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of…
Colossians 4:6(v3)Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
47 distinct cross-references across this passage (48 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv3, 6Thou hast comforted others in their afflictions, and canst…
Thou hast comforted others in their afflictions, and canst not now comfort thyself.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv3–6Job 4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou…
Job 4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Ver. 3. Behold, thou hast instructed many] sc. To do each day’s duty with Christian diligence, and to bear each day’s crosses with Christian patience thou hast done it well. But how comes it now to pass, quod dicta factis erubescant, that thy present doings shame thy former sayings? (Tertul.); and that (as it was noted of Demosthenes the orator) thou art better at praising of virtue than at practising of it? Turpe est Doctori, &c. Should not the physician first heal himself? and ought not the preacher’s word be Spectemur agendo; let our profiting appear to all men, let our lives be a true transcript of our sermons? What a shame was it that Hilary should complain that the people’s ears were holier than the preachers’ hearts, Sanctiores sunt aures plebis quam corda sacerdotum (Hilar.), and that Erasmus, by a true jest, should be told that there was more goodness in his book of the Christian soldier than in his bosom! Eliphaz from this ground would here argue that Job was little better than a hypocrite; a censure overly rigid, it being the easiest thing in the world, as a philosopher observed, to give good counsel, and the hardest thing to take it. Dr Preston, upon his death bed, confessed, that now it came to his own turn, he found it somewhat to do to practise that which he had oft pressed upon others.
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And thou hast strengthened the weak hands] Loose and lax, feeble and infirm, through many terrors and troubles: to these thou hast spoken words which have been as sinews to their hands, and as strength to their joints. Job had comforted the feeble minded, or the dispirited, the sick at heart, and sinking under the sense of sin and fear of wrath, 1Th 5:14. This is a harder work than to raise the dead to life, saith Luther; this not one of a thousand can skill of, Job 33:23. He must have feeding lips and a healing tongue that shall do it. O quam hoc non est omnium! The Christian Romans were able to do it, Rom 15:14. And holy Job was both able and apt, for he did it to many. True goodness is diffusive of itself, and is therefore compared to the most spreading things; as fire, water, sunlight, &c.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv3–6Thou hast instructed many; teaching them those lessons which…
Thou hast instructed many; teaching them those lessons which thou hast not learned, and wilt not practise, to wit, patiently to bear afflictions, and to submit to God’s will and providence in all things, which thou most shamefully refusest to do.
Thou hast strengthened the weak hands, by administering supports and comforts and counsels to such as were unable to bear their burdens, or to do their duty.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv3–6Thy words have up, holden him that was falling,....…
Thy words have up, holden him that was falling,.... Or "stumbling" (m); that was stumbling at the providence of God in suffering good men to be afflicted, and wicked men to prosper; which has been the stumbling block of God's people in all ages; see Psa 73:2; or that was stumbling and falling off from the true religion by reason of the revilings and reproaches of men, and their persecutions for it; which is sometimes the case, not only of nominal professors, Mat 13:21; but of true believers, though they do not so stumble and fall as to perish: or else being under afflictions themselves, were ready to sink under them, their strength being small; now Job was helped to speak such words of comfort and advice to persons in any and every of these circumstances as to support them and preserve them from failing, and to enable them to keep their place and station among the people of God. The Targum interprets it of such as were falling into sin; the words of good men to stumbling and falling professors, whether into sin, or into affliction by it, are often very seasonable, and very useful, when attended with the power and Spirit of God:
and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees; that were tottering and trembling, and bending, and not able to bear up under the weight of sin, which lay as an heavy burden, too heavy to bear; or of afflictions very grievous and intolerable; to such persons Job had often spoken words that had been useful to alleviate their troubles, and support them under them. It may be observed, that the cases and circumstances of good men in early times were much the same as they are now; that there is no temptation or affliction that befalls the saints but what has been common; and that Job was a man of great gifts, grace, and experience, and had the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in season to every weary soul, in whatsoever condition they were: and all this, so very laudable in him, is not observed to his commendation, but to his reproach; to show that he was not a man of real virtue, that he contradicted himself, and did not act according to his profession and principles, and the doctrines he taught others, and was an hypocrite at heart; though no such conclusion follows, supposing he had not acted according to his principles and former conduct; for it is a difficult thing for any good man to act entirely according to them, or to behave the same in prosperity as in adversity, or to take that advice themselves in affliction, and follow it, they have given to others, and yet not be chargeable with hypocrisy. It would have been much better in Eliphaz and his friends to have made another use of Job's former conduct and behaviour, namely, to have imitated it, and endeavoured to have strengthened, and upheld him in his present distressed circumstances; instead of that, he insults him, as follows.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv4, 6Feeble knees - Such as were weak hearted, and…
Feeble knees - Such as were weak hearted, and fainting under their trials.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv3, 5, 6Verse 3. Thou hast instructed many] Thou hast seen…
Verse 3. Thou hast instructed many] Thou hast seen many in affliction and distress, and thou hast given them such advice as was suitable to their state, and effectual to their relief; and by this means thou hast strengthened the weak hands, and the feeble knees-the desponding have been encouraged, and the irresolute confirmed and excited to prompt and proper actions, by thy counsel and example.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn vv3–6Job 4:3. Behold, thou hast instructed many — It…
Job 4:3. Behold, thou hast instructed many — It is well known thou hast given good counsel unto others, teaching them those lessons which, it appears, thou hast not thyself learned, and wilt not practise, namely, patiently to bear afflictions, and to submit to God’s will and providence in all things. And thou hast strengthened the weak hands — Hast encouraged those that were dispirited; hast administered counsels, supports, and comforts to such as were unable to bear their burdens, or to do their duty.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv3–6Behold, thou hast instructed many - That is, thou…
Behold, thou hast instructed many - That is, thou hast instructed many how they ought to bear trials, and hast delivered important maxims to them on the great subject of the divine government. This is not designed to be irony, or to wound the feelings of Job. It is intended to recall to his mind the lessons which he had inculcated on others in times of calamity, and to show him how important it was now that he should reduce his own lessons to practice, and show their power in sustaining himself.
Thou hast strengthened the weak hands - That is, thou hast aided the feeble. The hands are the instruments by which we accomplish anything, and when they are weak, it is an indication of helplessness.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn vv4–6Knees. It is just that thou shouldst apply thy…
Knees. It is just that thou shouldst apply thy instructions to thyself. (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown1871 · Public DomainOn vv3, 5, 6weak hands-- Isa 35:3; Sa2 4:1.
weak hands-- Isa 35:3; Sa2 4:1.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv3–63. Instructed — Admonished many.
3. Instructed — Admonished many.
Strengthened the weak hands — He very properly reminds Job of his past offices of consolation by way of compliment; not, as some suppose, in irony.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv3–63. the weak hands] lit. the hands hanging down,…
3. the weak hands] lit. the hands hanging down, a sign of helplessness and despondency, 2Sa_4:1; Isa_13:7. Comp. Job’s words of himself, ch. Job_29:15-16.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv3, 6(3) Behold, thou hast instructed many.—There is a conspicuous…
(3) Behold, thou hast instructed many.—There is a conspicuous want of feeling in Eliphaz. Without any true sympathy, however, he may have given the outward signs of it (Job_2:12-13). He charges Job with inability to derive from his own principles that support which he had expected them to afford to others, and seems almost to rejoice malevolently that one who had been so great a help to others was now in need of help himself. “Calamity touches thee, and thou art overwhelmed by it.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv3–6Behold, thou hast instructed many; or, corrected many. When…
Behold, thou hast instructed many; or, corrected many. When others have been afflicted and murmured, thou hast corrected them, and shown them that they were suffering only what they deserved to suffer. In so doing, thou hast strengthened the weak hands; "given moral strength," i.e. , "to those who were morally weak," upheld them, saved them from impatient words and hard thoughts of God.
Vers. 3-5. The teacher at fault.
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After one brief word of apology for breaking the seemly silence of mourning, Eliphaz plunges in medias res, and at once commences to reproach Job by reminding him of his former conduct, and contrasting his present state with it as an evidence of glaring inconsistency. Job could teach others how to conduct themselves, but no sooner is the test brought home to himself than he fails. The teacher cannot pass the examination for which he has been preparing his pupils.
I THE MISSION OF INSTRUCTING OTHERS IS ONE OF HONOUR AND USEFULNESS. No greater work can be conceived than that of forming character. Thomas Carlyle pointed out the absurdity of heaping honours on the soldier which we deny to the schoolmaster. He thought the cane was a token of greater dignity than the sword. There is no happier result of a life"s work than to see those one has influenced growing in wisdom and goodness and strength of character. It was well, indeed, that Job was one who strengthened the weak. This was wholly good, whatever might be his subsequent character.
II HE WHO INSTRUCTS OTHERS IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW HIS OWN PRECEPTS. The eyes of the world are upon him; his own scholars watch him narrowly. Teaching which is not backed up by example soon becomes quite ineffective. The Christian minister can often do more good by his exemplary life than by his most excellent sermons. If his walk and conversation among men do not adorn the gospel he proclaims, they will mar and mutilate it. The world refuses to separate the preacher from the man. It declines to believe that clerical vestments transform a slovenly, shifty, self-indulgent person, whom no one can respect, into a herald from heaven. The Sunday school teacher whose business reputation is low has no right to expect that his lofty words will train up a noble life in the young people whom he instructs.
III IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE AN INSTRUCTOR OF OTHERS AND YET FAIL ONE"S SELF, The charge of Eliphaz was unfair, for it took no account of the unparalleled troubles of Job none had been tried like this man or rather it assumed that he must have been an exceptionally bad man or he would not have suffered such a tremendous reverse of fortune. Thus it suggested that the venerated leader and teacher had been a hypocrite all along. This was doubly unfair. It is possible to have been in earnest while teaching, and yet afterwards to fall before unexpected temptations without having been a hypocrite; for good men are fallible, and no one knows how weak he is till he has been tried. Moreover, in the present case the teacher had not fallen as his censor supposed. Still, there is great force in his warning. Unfortunately, the world is not wanting in men to whom it is only too applicable. There is a great danger of delusion in the faculty of teaching. All of us who instruct others are tempted to confuse our knowledge with our attainments, and our language with our experience. Thus intellectual and professional familiarity with holy things may be mistaken for that vital communion with them which perhaps is not to be found accompanying it. There has only been one perfect Teacher whose conduct was as lofty as his instructions. All others may well learn to walk humbly while teaching the most exalted lessons. W.F.A.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn vv3, 6Thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Job_4:3-5
Thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
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Preaching easier than practising
Behold, thou hast instructed many, etc. To do each days duty with Christian diligence, and to bear each days crosses with Christian patience; thou hast done it well. But how comes it now to pass that thy present doings shame thy former sayings? and that, as it was noted of Demosthenes the orator, thou art better at praising of virtue than at practising of it? What a shame was it that Hilary should complain that the peoples ears were holier than the preachers hearts, and that Erasmus, by a true lest, should be told that there was more goodness in his book of the Christian soldier than in his bosom! Eliphaz from this ground would here argue that Job was little better than a hypocrite; a censure over-rigid, it being the easiest thing in the world, as a philosopher observed, to give good counsel, and the hardest thing to take it. Dr. Preston, upon his death bed, confessed, that now it came to his own turn, he found it somewhat to do to practise that which he had oft pressed upon others. (J. Trapp.)
Jobs usefulness in the past
1. That to teach, instruct, and comfort others, is not only a mans duty, but his praise. For here Eliphaz speaks it in a way of commendation, though with an intent to ground a reproof upon it.
2. That such as know God in truth and holiness, are very ready to communicate the knowledge of God unto others.
3. That honourable and great men lose nothing of their honour and greatness by descending to the instruction of others, though their inferiors.
4. That charity, especially spiritual charity, very liberal and open-hearted. Job instructed not only his own, but he instructed others, he instructed many; he did not confine his doctrine and his advice to his own walls, but the sound thereof went wheresoever he went: he instructed many.
5. That the words of the wise have a mighty power, strength, and prevalency in them. You see how efficacious the words of Job were. Jobs instructions were strengthenings: thou hast strengthened the weak hands and feeble knees; his words were as stays to hold them up that were ready to fall. When a word goes forth clothed with the authority and power of God, it works wonders. (J. Caryl.)
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest.--Thou hast instructed many, thou hast strengthened the weak hands, etc. But now it is come upon thee, etc. That is, trouble and affliction are come upon thee. And thou faintest. The word signifies an extraordinary fainting; when a man is so wearied and spent, that he knows not what he doth, when his reason seems tired, as much as his strength. So that the words, Now it is come upon thee, thou faintest, may import thus much; thou art in such a case, that thou seemest to be beside thyself, thou knowest not what thou dost, thou speakest thou knowest not what. The word is translated in the first verse, by grieved; in other Scriptures, by mad and furious (Pro_26:18). As a mad man who casteth firebrands, etc. And whereas we say (Gen_47:13), The land of Egypt fainted by reason of the famine, many render it, The land of Egypt was enraged or mad, because of the famine. Want of bread turns to want of reason; famine distracts. The Egyptians were so extremely pinched with hunger, that it did even take away their wits from them; and scarcity of food for their bodies, made a dearth in their understandings. So there is this force in the word: Thou who hast given such grave and wise instruction unto others, from those higher principles of grace, now it is come upon thee, thou art even as a mad man, as a man distracted, not able to act by the common principles of reason. It toucheth thee. It is the same word which we opened before; the devil desired that he might but touch Job; now his friend telleth him he is touched. And thou art troubled. That word also hath a great emphasis in it. It signifies a vehement, amazed trouble; as in that place (1Sa_28:21), where, when the woman, the witch of Endor, had raised up Samuel (in appearance) as Saul desired, the text saith, that when all was ended, she came unto Saul, and she saw he was sore troubled: think what trouble might fall upon a man in such a condition as Saul was in, after this acquaintance with the visions of hell; think what a deep astonishment of spirit seized upon him, such disorder of mind this word lays upon Job. Now it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Hence observe--
1. To commend a man with a but, is a wound instead of a commendation. Thou hast instructed many, But, etc. How many are there who salute their friends very fair to their faces, or speak them very fair behind their backs, yet suddenly (as Joab to Amasa) draw out this secret dagger, and stab their honour and honesty to the heart!
2. Observe, great afflictions may disturb the very seat of reason, and leave a saint, in some acts, below a man.
3. That when we see any doing ill, it is good to mind him of the good which he hath done.
4. That the good we have done, is a kind of reproach to us, when we do the contrary evil.
5. It is an easier matter to instruct others in trouble, than to be instructed, or take instruction ourselves in our own troubles.
6. It is a shame for us to teach others the right way, and to go in the wrong ourselves. (J. Caryl.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v4General Information:
General Information:
The writer uses parallelism in each of these verses to make one idea using two different statements to emphasize 1) the support that Job has given others in the past, 2) the effect on him of his present troubles, and 3) his piety before God. (See: Parallelism)
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supported
Someone who has been encouraged is spoken of as if he were kept from falling down. (See: Metaphor)
falling
Here becoming discouraged is spoken of as if it were falling down. (See: Metaphor)
you have made feeble knees firm
Here discouragement is spoken of as if it were a person whose weak knees could not keep him upright. (See: Metaphor)
But now trouble has come to you
Here trouble is spoken of as if it were an object that could come to a person. AT: "But now you suffer from disasters" (See: Metaphor)
you are weary
"you are discouraged"
your fear
"the fact that you honor God"
Is not your fear your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
Eliphaz asks these questions in order to tell Job that it is because of his sin that he is suffering. AT: "Everyone thinks that you honor God; everyone thinks that you are an honest man. But these things must not be true, because you do not trust God any longer." (See: Rhetorical Question)
your fear
Eliphaz means Job's fear of God. AT: "your fear of God" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
your ways
Here "your ways" represents "your conduct," "how you behave." (See: Metaphor)
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 6 Thou hast comforted others in their afflictions, and canst…
Thou hast comforted others in their afflictions, and canst not now comfort thyself.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–6 Job 4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou…
Job 4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Ver. 3. Behold, thou hast instructed many] sc. To do each day’s duty with Christian diligence, and to bear each day’s crosses with Christian patience thou hast done it well. But how comes it now to pass, quod dicta factis erubescant, that thy present doings shame thy former sayings? (Tertul.); and that (as it was noted of Demosthenes the orator) thou art better at praising of virtue than at practising of it? Turpe est Doctori, &c. Should not the physician first heal himself? and ought not the preacher’s word be Spectemur agendo; let our profiting appear to all men, let our lives be a true transcript of our sermons? What a shame was it that Hilary should complain that the people’s ears were holier than the preachers’ hearts, Sanctiores sunt aures plebis quam corda sacerdotum (Hilar.), and that Erasmus, by a true jest, should be told that there was more goodness in his book of the Christian soldier than in his bosom! Eliphaz from this ground would here argue that Job was little better than a hypocrite; a censure overly rigid, it being the easiest thing in the world, as a philosopher observed, to give good counsel, and the hardest thing to take it. Dr Preston, upon his death bed, confessed, that now it came to his own turn, he found it somewhat to do to practise that which he had oft pressed upon others.
Read full note →
And thou hast strengthened the weak hands] Loose and lax, feeble and infirm, through many terrors and troubles: to these thou hast spoken words which have been as sinews to their hands, and as strength to their joints. Job had comforted the feeble minded, or the dispirited, the sick at heart, and sinking under the sense of sin and fear of wrath, 1Th 5:14. This is a harder work than to raise the dead to life, saith Luther; this not one of a thousand can skill of, Job 33:23. He must have feeding lips and a healing tongue that shall do it. O quam hoc non est omnium! The Christian Romans were able to do it, Rom 15:14. And holy Job was both able and apt, for he did it to many. True goodness is diffusive of itself, and is therefore compared to the most spreading things; as fire, water, sunlight, &c.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–6 Thou hast instructed many; teaching them those lessons which…
Thou hast instructed many; teaching them those lessons which thou hast not learned, and wilt not practise, to wit, patiently to bear afflictions, and to submit to God’s will and providence in all things, which thou most shamefully refusest to do.
Thou hast strengthened the weak hands, by administering supports and comforts and counsels to such as were unable to bear their burdens, or to do their duty.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–6 Thy words have up, holden him that was falling,....…
Thy words have up, holden him that was falling,.... Or "stumbling" (m); that was stumbling at the providence of God in suffering good men to be afflicted, and wicked men to prosper; which has been the stumbling block of God's people in all ages; see Psa 73:2; or that was stumbling and falling off from the true religion by reason of the revilings and reproaches of men, and their persecutions for it; which is sometimes the case, not only of nominal professors, Mat 13:21; but of true believers, though they do not so stumble and fall as to perish: or else being under afflictions themselves, were ready to sink under them, their strength being small; now Job was helped to speak such words of comfort and advice to persons in any and every of these circumstances as to support them and preserve them from failing, and to enable them to keep their place and station among the people of God. The Targum interprets it of such as were falling into sin; the words of good men to stumbling and falling professors, whether into sin, or into affliction by it, are often very seasonable, and very useful, when attended with the power and Spirit of God:
and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees; that were tottering and trembling, and bending, and not able to bear up under the weight of sin, which lay as an heavy burden, too heavy to bear; or of afflictions very grievous and intolerable; to such persons Job had often spoken words that had been useful to alleviate their troubles, and support them under them. It may be observed, that the cases and circumstances of good men in early times were much the same as they are now; that there is no temptation or affliction that befalls the saints but what has been common; and that Job was a man of great gifts, grace, and experience, and had the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in season to every weary soul, in whatsoever condition they were: and all this, so very laudable in him, is not observed to his commendation, but to his reproach; to show that he was not a man of real virtue, that he contradicted himself, and did not act according to his profession and principles, and the doctrines he taught others, and was an hypocrite at heart; though no such conclusion follows, supposing he had not acted according to his principles and former conduct; for it is a difficult thing for any good man to act entirely according to them, or to behave the same in prosperity as in adversity, or to take that advice themselves in affliction, and follow it, they have given to others, and yet not be chargeable with hypocrisy. It would have been much better in Eliphaz and his friends to have made another use of Job's former conduct and behaviour, namely, to have imitated it, and endeavoured to have strengthened, and upheld him in his present distressed circumstances; instead of that, he insults him, as follows.
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(m) "offendentem", Cocceius; "impingentem", Drusius, Schmidt, Schultens, Michaelis.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv4, 6 Feeble knees - Such as were weak hearted, and…
Feeble knees - Such as were weak hearted, and fainting under their trials.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3, 5, 6 Verse 3. Thou hast instructed many] Thou hast seen…
Verse 3. Thou hast instructed many] Thou hast seen many in affliction and distress, and thou hast given them such advice as was suitable to their state, and effectual to their relief; and by this means thou hast strengthened the weak hands, and the feeble knees-the desponding have been encouraged, and the irresolute confirmed and excited to prompt and proper actions, by thy counsel and example.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv3–6 Job 4:3. Behold, thou hast instructed many — It…
Job 4:3. Behold, thou hast instructed many — It is well known thou hast given good counsel unto others, teaching them those lessons which, it appears, thou hast not thyself learned, and wilt not practise, namely, patiently to bear afflictions, and to submit to God’s will and providence in all things. And thou hast strengthened the weak hands — Hast encouraged those that were dispirited; hast administered counsels, supports, and comforts to such as were unable to bear their burdens, or to do their duty.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3–6 Behold, thou hast instructed many - That is, thou…
Behold, thou hast instructed many - That is, thou hast instructed many how they ought to bear trials, and hast delivered important maxims to them on the great subject of the divine government. This is not designed to be irony, or to wound the feelings of Job. It is intended to recall to his mind the lessons which he had inculcated on others in times of calamity, and to show him how important it was now that he should reduce his own lessons to practice, and show their power in sustaining himself.
Thou hast strengthened the weak hands - That is, thou hast aided the feeble. The hands are the instruments by which we accomplish anything, and when they are weak, it is an indication of helplessness.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv4–6 Knees. It is just that thou shouldst apply thy…
Knees. It is just that thou shouldst apply thy instructions to thyself. (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3, 5, 6 weak hands-- Isa 35:3; Sa2 4:1.
weak hands-- Isa 35:3; Sa2 4:1.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3–6 3. Instructed — Admonished many.
3. Instructed — Admonished many.
Strengthened the weak hands — He very properly reminds Job of his past offices of consolation by way of compliment; not, as some suppose, in irony.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–6 3. the weak hands] lit. the hands hanging down,…
3. the weak hands] lit. the hands hanging down, a sign of helplessness and despondency, 2Sa_4:1; Isa_13:7. Comp. Job’s words of himself, ch. Job_29:15-16.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3, 6 (3) Behold, thou hast instructed many.—There is a conspicuous…
(3) Behold, thou hast instructed many.—There is a conspicuous want of feeling in Eliphaz. Without any true sympathy, however, he may have given the outward signs of it (Job_2:12-13). He charges Job with inability to derive from his own principles that support which he had expected them to afford to others, and seems almost to rejoice malevolently that one who had been so great a help to others was now in need of help himself. “Calamity touches thee, and thou art overwhelmed by it.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–6 Behold, thou hast instructed many; or, corrected many. When…
Behold, thou hast instructed many; or, corrected many. When others have been afflicted and murmured, thou hast corrected them, and shown them that they were suffering only what they deserved to suffer. In so doing, thou hast strengthened the weak hands; "given moral strength," i.e. , "to those who were morally weak," upheld them, saved them from impatient words and hard thoughts of God.
Vers. 3-5. The teacher at fault.
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After one brief word of apology for breaking the seemly silence of mourning, Eliphaz plunges in medias res, and at once commences to reproach Job by reminding him of his former conduct, and contrasting his present state with it as an evidence of glaring inconsistency. Job could teach others how to conduct themselves, but no sooner is the test brought home to himself than he fails. The teacher cannot pass the examination for which he has been preparing his pupils.
I THE MISSION OF INSTRUCTING OTHERS IS ONE OF HONOUR AND USEFULNESS. No greater work can be conceived than that of forming character. Thomas Carlyle pointed out the absurdity of heaping honours on the soldier which we deny to the schoolmaster. He thought the cane was a token of greater dignity than the sword. There is no happier result of a life"s work than to see those one has influenced growing in wisdom and goodness and strength of character. It was well, indeed, that Job was one who strengthened the weak. This was wholly good, whatever might be his subsequent character.
II HE WHO INSTRUCTS OTHERS IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW HIS OWN PRECEPTS. The eyes of the world are upon him; his own scholars watch him narrowly. Teaching which is not backed up by example soon becomes quite ineffective. The Christian minister can often do more good by his exemplary life than by his most excellent sermons. If his walk and conversation among men do not adorn the gospel he proclaims, they will mar and mutilate it. The world refuses to separate the preacher from the man. It declines to believe that clerical vestments transform a slovenly, shifty, self-indulgent person, whom no one can respect, into a herald from heaven. The Sunday school teacher whose business reputation is low has no right to expect that his lofty words will train up a noble life in the young people whom he instructs.
III IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE AN INSTRUCTOR OF OTHERS AND YET FAIL ONE"S SELF, The charge of Eliphaz was unfair, for it took no account of the unparalleled troubles of Job none had been tried like this man or rather it assumed that he must have been an exceptionally bad man or he would not have suffered such a tremendous reverse of fortune. Thus it suggested that the venerated leader and teacher had been a hypocrite all along. This was doubly unfair. It is possible to have been in earnest while teaching, and yet afterwards to fall before unexpected temptations without having been a hypocrite; for good men are fallible, and no one knows how weak he is till he has been tried. Moreover, in the present case the teacher had not fallen as his censor supposed. Still, there is great force in his warning. Unfortunately, the world is not wanting in men to whom it is only too applicable. There is a great danger of delusion in the faculty of teaching. All of us who instruct others are tempted to confuse our knowledge with our attainments, and our language with our experience. Thus intellectual and professional familiarity with holy things may be mistaken for that vital communion with them which perhaps is not to be found accompanying it. There has only been one perfect Teacher whose conduct was as lofty as his instructions. All others may well learn to walk humbly while teaching the most exalted lessons. W.F.A.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv3, 6 Thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Job_4:3-5
Thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
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Preaching easier than practising
Behold, thou hast instructed many, etc. To do each days duty with Christian diligence, and to bear each days crosses with Christian patience; thou hast done it well. But how comes it now to pass that thy present doings shame thy former sayings? and that, as it was noted of Demosthenes the orator, thou art better at praising of virtue than at practising of it? What a shame was it that Hilary should complain that the peoples ears were holier than the preachers hearts, and that Erasmus, by a true lest, should be told that there was more goodness in his book of the Christian soldier than in his bosom! Eliphaz from this ground would here argue that Job was little better than a hypocrite; a censure over-rigid, it being the easiest thing in the world, as a philosopher observed, to give good counsel, and the hardest thing to take it. Dr. Preston, upon his death bed, confessed, that now it came to his own turn, he found it somewhat to do to practise that which he had oft pressed upon others. (J. Trapp.)
Jobs usefulness in the past
1. That to teach, instruct, and comfort others, is not only a mans duty, but his praise. For here Eliphaz speaks it in a way of commendation, though with an intent to ground a reproof upon it.
2. That such as know God in truth and holiness, are very ready to communicate the knowledge of God unto others.
3. That honourable and great men lose nothing of their honour and greatness by descending to the instruction of others, though their inferiors.
4. That charity, especially spiritual charity, very liberal and open-hearted. Job instructed not only his own, but he instructed others, he instructed many; he did not confine his doctrine and his advice to his own walls, but the sound thereof went wheresoever he went: he instructed many.
5. That the words of the wise have a mighty power, strength, and prevalency in them. You see how efficacious the words of Job were. Jobs instructions were strengthenings: thou hast strengthened the weak hands and feeble knees; his words were as stays to hold them up that were ready to fall. When a word goes forth clothed with the authority and power of God, it works wonders. (J. Caryl.)
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest.--Thou hast instructed many, thou hast strengthened the weak hands, etc. But now it is come upon thee, etc. That is, trouble and affliction are come upon thee. And thou faintest. The word signifies an extraordinary fainting; when a man is so wearied and spent, that he knows not what he doth, when his reason seems tired, as much as his strength. So that the words, Now it is come upon thee, thou faintest, may import thus much; thou art in such a case, that thou seemest to be beside thyself, thou knowest not what thou dost, thou speakest thou knowest not what. The word is translated in the first verse, by grieved; in other Scriptures, by mad and furious (Pro_26:18). As a mad man who casteth firebrands, etc. And whereas we say (Gen_47:13), The land of Egypt fainted by reason of the famine, many render it, The land of Egypt was enraged or mad, because of the famine. Want of bread turns to want of reason; famine distracts. The Egyptians were so extremely pinched with hunger, that it did even take away their wits from them; and scarcity of food for their bodies, made a dearth in their understandings. So there is this force in the word: Thou who hast given such grave and wise instruction unto others, from those higher principles of grace, now it is come upon thee, thou art even as a mad man, as a man distracted, not able to act by the common principles of reason. It toucheth thee. It is the same word which we opened before; the devil desired that he might but touch Job; now his friend telleth him he is touched. And thou art troubled. That word also hath a great emphasis in it. It signifies a vehement, amazed trouble; as in that place (1Sa_28:21), where, when the woman, the witch of Endor, had raised up Samuel (in appearance) as Saul desired, the text saith, that when all was ended, she came unto Saul, and she saw he was sore troubled: think what trouble might fall upon a man in such a condition as Saul was in, after this acquaintance with the visions of hell; think what a deep astonishment of spirit seized upon him, such disorder of mind this word lays upon Job. Now it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Hence observe--
1. To commend a man with a but, is a wound instead of a commendation. Thou hast instructed many, But, etc. How many are there who salute their friends very fair to their faces, or speak them very fair behind their backs, yet suddenly (as Joab to Amasa) draw out this secret dagger, and stab their honour and honesty to the heart!
2. Observe, great afflictions may disturb the very seat of reason, and leave a saint, in some acts, below a man.
3. That when we see any doing ill, it is good to mind him of the good which he hath done.
4. That the good we have done, is a kind of reproach to us, when we do the contrary evil.
5. It is an easier matter to instruct others in trouble, than to be instructed, or take instruction ourselves in our own troubles.
6. It is a shame for us to teach others the right way, and to go in the wrong ourselves. (J. Caryl.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 General Information:
General Information:
The writer uses parallelism in each of these verses to make one idea using two different statements to emphasize 1) the support that Job has given others in the past, 2) the effect on him of his present troubles, and 3) his piety before God. (See: Parallelism)
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supported
Someone who has been encouraged is spoken of as if he were kept from falling down. (See: Metaphor)
falling
Here becoming discouraged is spoken of as if it were falling down. (See: Metaphor)
you have made feeble knees firm
Here discouragement is spoken of as if it were a person whose weak knees could not keep him upright. (See: Metaphor)
But now trouble has come to you
Here trouble is spoken of as if it were an object that could come to a person. AT: "But now you suffer from disasters" (See: Metaphor)
you are weary
"you are discouraged"
your fear
"the fact that you honor God"
Is not your fear your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
Eliphaz asks these questions in order to tell Job that it is because of his sin that he is suffering. AT: "Everyone thinks that you honor God; everyone thinks that you are an honest man. But these things must not be true, because you do not trust God any longer." (See: Rhetorical Question)
your fear
Eliphaz means Job's fear of God. AT: "your fear of God" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
your ways
Here "your ways" represents "your conduct," "how you behave." (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
word
trouble
fear
God
confidence
integrity
hope
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 4:3-4 People . . . who were weak were…
4:3-4 People . . . who were weak were depressed and suffered from low morale (Isa 13:7; 35:3; Ezek 7:17).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.