Job 27:1-10

1 Iyov continued his speech:
2 "I swear by the living God, who is denying me justice, and by Shaddai, who deals with me so bitterly,
3 that as long my life remains in me and God's breath is in my nostrils,
4 my lips will not speak unrighteousness, or my tongue utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me to say you are right; I will keep my integrity till the day I die.
6 I hold to my righteousness; I won't let it go; my heart will not shame me as long as I live.
7 "May my enemy meet the doom of the wicked; my foe the fate of the unrighteous.
8 For what hope does the godless have from his gain when God takes away his life?
9 Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?
10 Will he take delight in Shaddai and always call on God?

Job 27:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 27

Though Job's friends were become silent, and dropped the controversy with him, he still continued his discourse in this and the four following chapters; in which he asserts his integrity; illustrates and confirms his former sentiments; gives further proof of his knowledge of things, natural and divine; takes notice of his former state of prosperity, and of his present distresses and afflictions, which came upon him, notwithstanding his piety, humanity, and beneficence, and his freedom from the grosser acts of sin, both with respect to God and men, all which he enlarges upon. In this chapter he gives his word and oath for it, that he would never belie himself, and own that he was an hypocrite, when he was not, but would continue to assert his integrity, and the righteousness of his cause, as long as he lived, Job 27:1-6; for to be an hypocrite, and to attempt to conceal his hypocrisy, would be of no advantage to him, either in life, or in death, Job 27:7-10; and was this his character and case, upon their principles, he could expect no other than to be a miserable man, as wicked men are, who have their blessings turned into curses, or taken away from them, and they removed out of the world in the most awful and terrible manner, and under manifest tokens of the wrath and displeasure of God, Job 27:11-23.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.