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Job 20:3
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Zophar’s Sermon on the Wicked Man

1 Then aZophar the Naamathite answered and said: 
2 “Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer,
Because of the turmoil within me.
3 I have heard the rebuke1 that reproaches me,
And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer. 
4 “Do you not know this of aold,
Since man was placed on earth, 
5 aThat the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a bmoment? 
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Job 20:2   Job 20:4 >>


Job 20:3

I have heard the check of my reproach - I have heard your violent and severe language reproaching us. Probably he refers to what Job had said in the close of his speech Job 19:29, that they had occasion to dread the wrath of God, and that they might anticipate heavy judgments as the result of their opinions. Or it may be, as Schultens supposes, that he refers to what Job said in Job 19:2, and the rebuke that he had administered there. Or possibly, and still more probably, I think, he may refer to what Job had said in reply to the former speech of Zophar Job 12:2, where he tauntingly says that "they were the people, and that wisdom would die with them." The Hebrew literally is, "the correction of my shame" ( ּ mûsâr ke lı̂mmâh ), "the correction of my shame." that is, the castigation or rebuke which tends to cover me with ignominy. The sense is, "you have accused me of that which is ignominious and shameful, and under the impetuous feelings caused by such a charge I cannot refrain from replying."

And the spirit of my understanding - Meaning, perhaps, "the emotion of his mind." The word "mind" or "soul" would better express the idea than the word "understanding;" and the word "spirit" here seems to be used in the sense of violent or agitating emotions - perhaps in allusion to the primary signification of the word ( ּ rûach ), "mind."


 
<< Job 20:2   Job 20:4 >>

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