Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. VII.

1. IS there not ‖ 1.1 * 1.2 an appointed time to man upon Earth a 1.3? are not his daies also like the daies of an hireling b 1.4?

2. As a Servant † 1.5 earnestly desireth the shadow c 1.6, and as an Hireling looketh for the reward of his work d 1.7:

3. So e 1.8 am I made to possess f 1.9 months g 1.10 of vanity h 1.11, and wearisom nights i 1.12 are appointed to me.

4. * 1.13 When I lie down k 1.14, I say, when shall I arise, and † 1.15 the night l 1.16 be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro m 1.17 unto the dawning of the day n 1.18.

5. My flesh is clothed o 1.19 with worms p 1.20, and clods of dust q 1.21; my skin is broken r 1.22, and become loathsom.

6. * 1.23 My daies are swifter s 1.24 than a Weavers Shuttle t 1.25, and are spent without hope u 1.26.

7. O remember x 1.27 that * 1.28 my life is wind y 1.29; mine eye † 1.30 shall no more ‖ 1.31 see good z 1.32.

8. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: a 1.33 thine eyes are upon me, and ‖ 1.34 I am not b 1.35.

9. As the Cloud is consumed c 1.36 and vanisheth away d 1.37; so * 1.38 he that goeth down to † 1.39 the grave shall come up no more e 1.40.

10. He shall return no more to his house f 1.41, * 1.42 neither shall his place know him any more g 1.43.

11. Therefore h 1.44 I will not refrain my mouth▪ I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul i 1.45.

12. Am I a Sea, or a Whale k 1.46, that thou settest a watch over me l 1.47?

13. * 1.48 When I say, my Bed shall comfort me, my Couch shall ease my complaint m 1.49:

14. Then thou scarest me with dreams n 1.50, and ter∣rifiest me through visions o 1.51.

15. So that my Soul chooseth p 1.52 strangling q 1.53, and death rather † 1.54 than my life r 1.55,

16 * 1.56 I loath it. s 1.57 I would not live alway: t 1.58 * 1.59 let me alone, u 1.60 for my days are vanity x 1.61.

17 * 1.62 What is man that thou should'st magnifie him y 1.63? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him z 1.64?

18. And that thou shouldest visit him a 1.65 every morning b 1.66, and try him c 1.67 every moment?

19. How long wilt thou not depart from me d 1.68, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle e?

20. I have sinned f 1.69, what shall I do unto thee g 1.70, O thou preserver of men h 1.71? why * 1.72 hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to my self i 1.73?

21. And why dost thou not pardon my transgres∣sion, and take away mine iniquity k 1.74? for now shall I sleep in the dust l 1.75; and thou shalt seek me in the morn∣ing, but I shall not be m 1.76.

Notes

• ‖ 1.1

  Or, a war∣fare.
• * 1.2

  Chap. 14. 13, 14. Psal. 39. 4.
• a 1.3

  Is there not a certain and short time limited by God wherein man shall live in this sinful, & vain, and miserable world, after which he shall live in an holier and happier place and state? And is it a crime in me to desire that God would give me some ease and re∣spite for the present, and bring me to that blessed and joyful pe∣riod?
• b 1.4

  Whose time is limited and short, being but for a few years, Isa. 16. 14. & 21. 16. and sometimes but for daies, Iob 14. 6. Matth. 20. 1, 2. and whose condition is full of toil and hardship.
• † 1.5

  Heb. gapeth after.
• c 1.6

  i. e. The Sun-set, or the Night, the time allotted for his rest and repose, Psal. 104. 23. And why may not I also desire the time of my rest?
• d 1.7

  Heb. his work; which is oft put for the reward of it, as Levit. 19. 13. Isa. 40. 10. & 49. 4. Or, the end of his work.
• e 1.8

  This so respects not so much the desire and expectation of an hired Servant, which is expressed, v. 2. as the ground and reason of it, which is plainly implied there, to wit, his hard toil and service, which makes him thirst after rest.
• f 1.9

  God by his soveraign Power and Providence hath given me thus as my lot and inheritance.
• g 1.10

  So he calls them rather than daies, to note either the irksomness and tediousness of his affliction, whereby every day seemed a month to him, or their length and continuance, which, as some infer from hence, had now been upon him some months
• h 1.11

  Empty and un∣satisfying, or false and deceitful, not giving me that ease and rest, which they promised me, and I expected.
• i 1.12

  He mentions nights, because that is the saddest time for sick and miserable persons; the darkness and solitude of the night being of themselves uncomfort∣able, and giving them more opportunity for solemn and sorrowful thoughts and reflections upon their own miseries.
• * 1.13

  Deut. 28. 67. Chap. 17. 12.
• k 1.14

  To get some rest and sleep.
• † 1.15

  Heb. the Evening be measured.
• l 1.16

  Heb. the evening. The part put for the whole, as it is, Gen. 1. 5.
• m 1.17

  From side to side in the Bed, as men in grievous pains of body, or anxiety of mind use to be.
• n 1.18

  So this Hebrew word is used also, 1 Sam. 30. 17. Psal. 119. 147.
• o 1.19

  i. e. Covered all over as with a garment.
• p 1.20

  Which oft breed and break forth in divers parts of living bodies, as history and ex∣perience witnesseth, and which were easily bred out of Iob's cor∣rupted flesh and sores.
• q 1.21

  Either the dust of the earth upon which he lay, which his sores would quickly lick up; or the scabs of his sores, which by degrees mouldred away into dust.
• r 1.22

  By Ulcers breaking forth in all parts of it.
• * 1.23

  Ch. 9. 25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 16. 22. & 17. 11. Psal▪ 90. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 102. 11. & 103. 15. & 144. 4 Isa▪ 3•…•…. 12. & 40. 6. James 4. 14▪
• s 1.24

  The time of my life hastens to a period; And therefore vain are those hopes which you give me of a restitution to my former prosperity in this world.
• t 1.25

  Which passeth in a moment from one end of the web to the other.
• u 1.26

  To wit; of enjoying any good day here.
• x 1.27

  He turneth his speech to God as appears from v. 8. 12. 14.
• * 1.28

  Psal. 89. 47.
• y 1.29

  i. e. vain, Isa. 57. 13. Hose. 8 7. quickly passing away so as never to come again, as is said Psal. 78. 39.
• † 1.30

  Heb, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 return.
• ‖ 1.31

  To see, that is, to enjoy.
• z 1.32

  i. e. Enjoy (for so seeing is sometimes used, as Psal. 34. 12. Ier. 17. 6.) good, to wit, in this world, as my friends flatter me. Compare Ch. 14. 12. & 19. 26, 27.
• a 1.33

  In this mortall state: I shall never return to this life again.
• ‖ 1.34

  That is, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 live no 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• b 1.35

  Either, 1. If thou doest but cast one angry look upon me, I am not, i. e. I am a dead man. So that phrase is used, Gen. 5. 24. & 42. 13. & 44. 20. Psal. 103. 16. Ier. 31. 15. Or, 2. When thine Eyes shall be upon me, (i. e. when thou shalt look for me to do me good, thou wilt find that) I am not, that I am dead and gone, and uncapable of that bounty and goodness which thou givest to men in this world▪ Comp. v. 21. Psal. 10. 15. Ier. 50. 20.
• c 1.36

  Being dried up or dissolved by the heat of the Sun.
• d 1.37

  Never returneth again.
• * 1.38

  2 Sam. 12▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.39

  Heb. H•…•….
• e 1.40

  To live a natural mortal life amongst men. For, that he doth not deny a future life is manifest from Ch. 19. 25, &c.
• f 1.41

  To enjoy his house and possessions again.
• * 1.42

  Psa. 103. 1•…•….
• g 1.43

  i. e. He shall no more be seen and known in his former habitation and condition by his friends and neighbours. The place put for the men of the place, as Ch. 8. 18. & 20. 9. Psal. 37. 10.
• h 1.44

  Since my life is by the common condition of mankind so vain and short, and when once lost, without all hopes of recovery, and withal extremely miserable, I will plead with God for pity and relief before I die; knowing that I must now speak, or else for ever after hold my peace as to requests of this nature.
• i 1.45

  I will not smother my bitter anguish within my own breast, which will make it intollerable, but I will give it vent, and ease my self by pouring forth complaints, and expostulating with my God, who, as I hope, will hear and help me one way or other.
• k 1.46

  Am I so great, and powerful, and dangerous a creature, that thou needest to use extraordinary power and violence to rule and subdue me? Am I as fierce and unruly as the Sea, which, if thou didst not set a watch over it, and bounds to it, would overwhelm the earth, and destroy mankind upon it? Or, am I a vast and ungovernable Sea-monster, which, if thou didst not restrain it by thy powerful providence, would overturn ships, and destroy men in it, and devour all the lesser fishes? Have I behaved my self to∣wards thee, or towards men, with such rage and violence, as to need such chains to be put upon me? Or, is my strength so great as that of the Sea, which can endure so many and long storms one after another, and yet can subsist under them, and after them? or, of a Whale, that can laugh at Darts and Spears? as is said ch. 41. 29. No Lord, thou knowest that I am but a poor weak creature, which thou canst crush with the least touch of thy fin∣ger, without these violent and unsupportable pains and miseries; and that I have not been so fierce and boisterous in my carriage as to need or deserve these extraordinary calamities.
• l 1.47

  That thou shouldest guard and restrain me with such heavy and unexampled miseries, lest I should break into rebellion against thee, or into cruelty towards men.
• * 1.48

  Ch. 9. 27, 28.
• m 1.49

  By giving me sweet and quiet sleep, which may take off the sense of my torments for that while.
• n 1.50

  With sad and dreadful dreams arising either from that melan∣choly humour which is now so fixed in me and predominant over me, or from the Devils malice who by thy permission disturbs me in this manner; So that I am afraid to go to sleep, and my reme∣dy proves as bad as my disease.
• o 1.51

  The same thing with dreams: for there were not only day-visions, which were offered to mens sight, when they were awake; but also night-visions, which were presented to mens Fancy in their sleep and dreams. See Gen. 28. 12. & 41. 1, 2. Dan. 2. 1, 31. & 4, 5, 10.
• p 1.52

  Not simply and in it self, but comparatively, rather than such a wretched life.
• q 1.53

  The most violent, so it be but a certain and sudden death.
• † 1.54

  Heb. than my 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• r 1.55

  Heb. than my bones, i. e. than my body, for∣merly the Soul's dear and desired companion, or than to be in the body, which commonly consists of skin and flesh, and bones, but in Iob was in a manner nothing but a bundle of bones; for his skin was every where broken, and his flesh was quite consu∣med; as he oft complains, and his bones also were not free from pain and torment: for as Satan's Commission reached to Iob's bones, Iob 2. 5. so doubtless his Malice and wicked Design would engage him to execute it to the utmost.
• * 1.56

  Ch. 10. 1.
• s 1.57

  To wit, my life last mentioned.
• t 1.58

  In this World, if I might, no not in prosperity; for even such a life is but vanity, much less in this extremity of misery. Or, Let me not live for ever, lingring in this miserable manner, as if thou wouldest not suffer me to die, but hadst a design to perpetuate my torments. Or, let me not live out mine age, or the full time of my life, which by the course of nature, I might do; for so the Hebrew word Olam, is oft used: but cut me off, and that speedily.
• * 1.59

  Ch. 10. 20. & 14. •…•…. Psal. 39. 13.
• u 1.60

  i. e. Withdraw thy hand from me, either 1. thy supporting hand which preserves my life, and suffer me to die: Or rather 2. thy correcting hand, as this same phrase is used, v. 19.
• x 1.61

  Either 1. my life is in it self, and in its best estate a most vain, unsatisfying, uncertain thing: do not add this evil to it to make it miserable. Or, 2. My life is a vain, decaying, and perishing thing, it will of it self quickly va∣nish and depart, and doth not need to be forced from me by such exquisite torments.
• * 1.62

  Psal▪ 8. 4. & 144. 3. Heb. 26.
• y 1.63

  What is there in that poor, mean, contemptible Creature called Man, miserable man, as this word signifies, which can in∣duce or incline thee to take any notice of him, to shew him such respect, or to make such account of him? Man is not worthy of thy Favour, and he is below thy Anger. It is too great a con∣descention to thee, and too great an honour for man that thou wiltst contend with him, and draw forth all thy forces against him, as if he were a fit match for thee; whereas men use to neg∣lect and slight mean Adversaries, and will not do them the honour to fight with them. Comp. 1 Sam. 24. 14. Therefore do not, O Lord, thus dishonour thy self, nor magnifie me. I acknowledge that even thy corrections are mercies and honours, but, Lord, let me be no more so honoured.
• z 1.64

  i. e. Have any regard to him so far as to afflict him, which though it be grievous in it self, espe∣cially when it is aggravated as mine is, yet unto thy people it is a great mercy and blessing, as being highly necessary and useful to humble them, and purge them from sin, and prepare them for glory: as on the contrary, those wicked men whom thou doest despise and hate, and design to destroy, thou doest forbear to punish or afflict them.
• a 1.65

  To wit, punish or chasten him, as the Word is oft used, as visiting is oft used, as Exod. 20. 5. and 32. 34. and 34. 7.
• b 1.66

  i. e. Every day. But he mentions the morning, either because that is the be∣ginning of the day, and so is put synecdochically for the whole day, as the evening, v. 4. is put for the whole night: Or he speaks of God after the manner of men, who rest and sleep in the night, but in the morning rise and go about their business, and visit or inspect those persons and things which they have a respect for, or care of.
• c 1.67

  i. e. Afflict him, which is oft called trying, because it doth indeed try a man's faith and patience, and perseverance. But this and the former Verse may possibly be otherwise under∣stood, not of afflictions, but of mercies. Having declared his loathing of life, and his passionate desire of death, and urged it with this consideration, that the days of his life were meer va∣nity; he now pursues it with this expostulation, What is man, that vain, foolish Creature▪ that thou shouldst magnifie or regard, or visit him, (to wit, with thy mercy and blessings, of which those words are commonly used, i. e. that thou shouldst so far ho∣nour and regard him, as by thy visitation to preserve his Spirit, or hold his Soul in life) and try him, which God doth not only by afflictions, but also by prosperity and outward blessings, which commonly detect a mans hypocrisie, and discover that corruption which before lay hid in his heart? Therefore, O Lord, do not thus magnifie, and visit me with thy mercy, but take away my life.
• d 1.68

  How long will it be ere thou withdraw thy afflicting hand from me? e i. e. for a little time; or that I may have a breathing time: A proverbial expression, like that Spanish Proverb, I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not time or liberty to spit out my spittle. Or this expression may have respect to Iob's distempered and calamitous condition wherewith he was so overwhelmed, that he either had not strength, or could not take heed to spit out his spittle as he should have done, but swallowed it down, as sick and melancholy persons often do.
• f 1.69

  Although I am innocent and free from those cr•…•…ing sins, for which my friends suppose thou hast sent this uncommon judgment upon me, yet if thou beest strict to mark what is amiss, I freely confess that I am a sinner, and therefore obnoxious to thy justice, and I humbly beg thy pardon for it; as it follows, vers. 21. And therefore accept of this Confession.
• g 1.70

  to satisfie thy Justice, or regain thy Favour. I can do nothing to purchase or deserve it, and therefore implore thy mercy to pardon my sins.
• h 1.71

  O thou who, as thou wast the Creator of man, delightest to be, and to be called the Preserver and Saviour of men; and that waitest to be kind and gracious to men from day to day, as occasion requires; do not deal with me in a way contrary to thy own Nature and Name, and to the manner of thy dealing with all the rest of Man∣kind. Oth. O thou Observer of men; thou who dost exactly know and diligently observe all mens inward motions, and outward actions; and therefore if thou shalt be severe to mark mine ini∣quities, as thou seemest to be, I have not what to say or do unto thee. Compare Iob 9. 3, 15, 29. & 14. 4. Into which thou wiltst shoot all the Arrows of thy indignation.
• * 1.72

  Chap. 16. 12. Psal. 21. 12. Lam. 3. 12.
• i 1.73

  i. e I am weary of my self, and of my life, being no way able to resist or endure the assaults of so potent an Adversary.
• k 1.74

  Seeing thou art so gracious to others, so ready to preserve and pardon them, why may not I hope for the same favour from thee?
• l 1.75

  If thou doest not speedily help me, it will be too late, I shall be dead, and so uncapable of those blessings which thou usest to give to men in the land of the living.
• m 1.76

  i. e. When thou shalt diligently seek for me, that thou maiest shew favour to me, thou wilt find that I am dead and gone, and so wilt lose thy oppor∣tunity: Help therefore speedily.