Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Behold, I go forward ] These two verses paint in vivid colours the distress and anxiety of a soul in search of the favour of God. No means are left untried, no place unexplored, in order to find the object of his research. This is a true description of the conduct of a genuine penitent.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-12 - Job knew that the Lord was every where present; but his mind was in such confusion, that he could get no fixed view of God's mercifu presence, so as to find comfort by spreading his case before him. Hi views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance, and frow upon him. Yet Job expressed his assurance that he should be brough forth, tried, and approved, for he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Her we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or i opposition to him, ch. 32:2. Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but boldly to assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement of sin, was his error. An he is guilty of a second, when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, wherein the injured fin redress, and the evil are visited for their sins.
Original Hebrew הן2005 קדם6924 אהלך1980 ואיננו369 ואחור268 ולא3808 אבין׃995
