Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. He hath made me also a by-word ] My afflictions and calamities have become a subject of general conversation, so that my poverty and affliction are proverbial. As poor as Job, As afflicted as Job, are proverbs that have even reached our times and are still in use.
Aforetime I was as a tabret. ] This is not the translation of the Hebrew hyha µynpl tptw vethopheth lephanim eheyeh. Instead of µynpl lephanim, I would read µhynpl liphneghem, and then the clause might be translated thus: I shall be as a furnace, or consuming fire (Topheth) before them. They shall have little reason to mock when they see the end of the Lord's dealings with me; my example will be a consuming fire to them, and my false friends will be confounded. COVERDALE translates thus: He hath made me as it were a byworde of the comon people. I am his gestinge stocke amonge them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Job reflects upon the harsh censures his friends had passed upon him and, looking on himself as a dying man, he appeals to God. Our time is ending. It concerns us carefully to redeem the days of time, and to spend them in getting ready for eternity. We see the good use the righteous should make of Job's afflictions from God, from enemies, an from friends. Instead of being discouraged in the service of God, by the hard usage this faithful servant of God met with, they should be made bold to proceed and persevere therein. Those who keep their ey upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religio as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may mee with.
Original Hebrew והצגני3322 למשׁל4914 עמים5971 ותפת8611 לפנים6440 אהיה׃1961
