Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. He cometh forth like a flower ] This is a frequent image both in the Old and New Testament writers; I need not quote the places here, as the readers will find them all in the margin.
He fleeth also as a shadow ] Himself, as he appears among men, is only the shadow of his real, substantial, and eternal being. He is here compared to a vegetable; he springs up, bears his flower is often nipped by disease, blasted by afflictions and at last cut down by death. The bloom of youth, even in the most prosperous state, is only the forerunner of hoary hairs, enfeebled muscles, impaired senses, general debility, anility, and dissolution. All these images are finely embodied, and happily expressed, in the beautiful lines of a very nervous and correct poet, too little known, but whose compositions deserve the first place among what may be called the minor poets of Britain. See at the end of the chapter.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Job enlarges upon the condition of man, addressing himself also to God Every man of Adam's fallen race is short-lived. All his show of beauty happiness, and splendour falls before the stroke of sickness or death as the flower before the scythe; or passes away like the shadow. How is it possible for a man's conduct to be sinless, when his heart is by nature unclean? Here is a clear proof that Job understood and believe the doctrine of original sin. He seems to have intended it as a plea why the Lord should not deal with him according to his own works, but according to His mercy and grace. It is determined, in the counsel an decree of God, how long we shall live. Our times are in his hands, the powers of nature act under him; in him we live and move. And it is very useful to reflect seriously on the shortness and uncertainty of huma life, and the fading nature of all earthly enjoyments. But it is stil more important to look at the cause, and remedy of these evils. Unti we are born of the Spirit, no spiritually good thing dwells in us, or can proceed from us. Even the little good in the regenerate is defile with sin. We should therefore humble ourselves before God, and cas ourselves wholly on the mercy of God, through our Divine Surety. We should daily seek the renewing of the Holy Ghost, and look to heaven a the only place of perfect holiness and happiness.
Original Hebrew כציץ6731 יצא3318 וימל5243 ויברח1272 כצל6738 ולא3808 יעמוד׃5975
