What the Bible says about Adam as Representation of Mankind
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Job makes this statement because he has been accused of being a hypocrite, so he is defending his integrity. "Adam" represents mankind in general. Unlike mankind in general—though it is the natural thing to do—Job does not hide himself from the deceit of his heart, showing both his conversion and his wisdom. Sir Walter Scott wrote, "Oh what tangled webs we weave/ When first we practice to deceive." Job understood that either lying with the tongue or presenting a visible hypocrisy creates problems, not solve them.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth CommandmentRelated Topics: Deceitfulness | Deceitfulness of Heart | Deception | Hypocrisy | Lying | Self Deception | Sir Walter Scott | Tangled Web