Job 27:7-17

7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the ungodly, when God] cutteth him off, when +God taketh away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry when distress cometh upon him?
10 Doth he delight himself in the Almighty? will he at all times call upon God?
11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12 Behold, ye yourselves have all seen [it]; and why are ye thus altogether vain?
13 This is the portion of the wicked man with God, and the heritage of the violent, which they receive from the Almighty: --
14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword, and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread;
15 Those that remain of him shall be buried by death, and his widows shall not weep.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay;
17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on; and the innocent shall divide the silver.

Job 27:7-17 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Others, 'though he get gain.'
  • [b]. Or 'giveth ease to.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.