Job 17
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9. The strength of religious principle is heightened by misfortune. The pious shall take fresh courage to persevere from the example of suffering Job. The image is from a warrior acquiring new courage in action ( Isaiah 40:30 Isaiah 40:31 , Philippians 1:14 ).
10. return--If you have anything to advance really wise, though I doubt it, recommence your speech. For as yet I cannot find one wise man among you all.
11. Only do not vainly speak of the restoration of health to me; for "my days are past."
broken off--as the threads of the web cut off from the loom ( Isaiah 38:12 ).
thoughts--literally, "possessions," that is, all the feelings and fair hopes which my heart once nourished. These belong to the heart, as "purposes" to the understanding; the two together here describe the entire inner man.
12. They--namely, "my friends."
change the night into day--that is, would try to persuade me of the change of my misery into joy, which is impossible [UMBREIT] ( Job 11:17 ); (but) the light of prosperity (could it be enjoyed) would be short because of the darkness of adversity. Or better for "short," the Hebrew "near"; "and the light of new prosperity should be near in the face of (before) the darkness of death"; that is, they would persuade me that light is near, even though darkness approaches.
13. Rather, "if I wait for this grave (Sheol, or the unseen world) as my house, and make my bed in the darkness ( Job 17:14 ), and say to corruption," rather, "to the pit" or "grave," &c. ( Job 17:15 ). Where then is my hope? [UMBREIT]. The apodosis is at Job 17:15 .
14. Thou art my father, &c.--expressing most intimate connection ( Proverbs 7:4 ). His diseased state made him closely akin to the grave and worm.
15. Who shall see it fulfilled? namely, the "hope" ( Job 11:18 ) which they held out to him of restoration.
16. They--namely, my hopes shall be buried with me.
bars--( Isaiah 38:10 ). Rather, the wastes or solitudes of the pit (sheol, the unseen world).
rest together--the rest of me and my hope is in, &c. Both expire together. The word "rest" implies that man's ceaseless hopes only rob him of rest.