Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. When the days of their feasting were gone about ] At the conclusion of the year, when the birthday of each had been celebrated, the pious father appears to have gathered them all together, that the whole family might hold a feast to the Lord, offering burnt-offerings in order to make an atonement for sins of all kinds, whether presumptuous or committed through ignorance. This we may consider as a general custom among the godly in those ancient times.
And cursed God in their hearts. ] µyhla wkrbw uberechu Elohim. In this book, according to most interpreters, the verb ûrb barach signifies both to bless and to curse; and the noun µyhla Elohim signifies the true God, false gods, and great or mighty. The reason why Job offered the burnt- offerings appears to have been this: in a country where idolatry flourished, he thought it possible that his children might, in their festivity, have given way to idolatrous thoughts, or done something prescribed by idolatrous rites; and therefore the words may be rendered thus: It may be that my children have blessed the gods in their hearts. Others think that the word ûrb barach should be understood as implying farewell, bidding adieu-lest my children have bidden adieu to God, that is, renounced him, and cast off his fear. To me this is very unlikely. Mr. Mason Good contends that the word should be understood in its regular and general sense, to bless; and that the conjunction w vau should be translated nor.
"Peradventure my sons may have sinned, nor blessed God in their hearts." This version he supports with great learning. I think the sense given above is more plain, and less embarrassed. They might have been guilty of some species of idolatry. This is possible even among those called Christians, in their banquets; witness their songs to Bacchus, Venus, &c., which are countless in number, and often sung by persons who would think themselves injured, not to be reputed Christians. Coverdale, in his translation, (1535,) renders the passage thus Peradventure my sonnes have done some offense, and have been unthankful to God in their hertes.
Thus did Job continually. ] At the end of every year, when all the birthday festivals had gone round.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Job was prosperous, and yet pious. Though it is hard and rare, it is not impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. By God's grace the temptations of worldly wealth may be overcome. The account of Job's piety and prosperity comes before the history of his great afflictions, showing that neither will secure from troubles While Job beheld the harmony and comforts of his sons with satisfaction, his knowledge of the human heart made him fearful for them. He sent and sanctified them, reminding them to examin themselves, to confess their sins, to seek forgiveness; and as one wh hoped for acceptance with God through the promised Saviour, he offere a burnt-offering for each. We perceive his care for their souls, his knowledge of the sinful state of man, his entire dependence on God' mercy in the way he had appointed.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 כי3588 הקיפו5362 ימי3117 המשׁתה4960 וישׁלח7971 איוב347 ויקדשׁם6942 והשׁכים7925 בבקר1242 והעלה5927 עלות5930 מספר4557 כלם3605 כי3588 אמר559 איוב347 אולי194 חטאו2398 בני1121 וברכו1288 אלהים430 בלבבם3824 ככה3602 יעשׂה6213 איוב347 כל3605 הימים׃3117
