Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. He stretcheth out the north over the empty place ] l[ wht al tohu, to the hollow waste. The same word as is used, Genesis i. 2, The earth was without form, wht tohu. The north must here mean the north pole, or northern hemisphere; and perhaps what is here stated may refer to the opinion that the earth was a vast extended plain, and the heavens poised upon it, resting on this plain all round the horizon. Of the south the inhabitants of Idumea knew nothing; nor could they have any notion of inhabitants in that hemisphere.
Hangeth the earth upon nothing. ] The Chaldee says: "He lays the earth upon the waters, nothing sustaining it."
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-14 - Many striking instances are here given of the wisdom and power of God in the creation and preservation of the world. If we look about us, to the earth and waters here below, we see his almighty power. If we consider hell beneath, though out of our sight, yet we may conceive the discoveries of God's power there. If we look up to heaven above, we se displays of God's almighty power. By his Spirit, the eternal Spiri that moved upon the face of the waters, the breath of his mouth, P 33:6, he has not only made the heavens, but beautified them. By redemption, all the other wonderful works of the Lord are eclipsed; an we may draw near, and taste his grace, learn to love him, and walk with delight in his ways. The ground of the controversy between Job and the other disputants was, that they unjustly thought from his affliction that he must have been guilty of heinous crimes. They appear not to have duly considered the evil and just desert of original sin; nor di they take into account the gracious designs of God in purifying his people. Job also darkened counsel by words without knowledge. But his views were more distinct. He does not appear to have alleged his personal righteousness as the ground of his hope towards God. Yet what he admitted in a general view of his case, he in effect denied, whil he complained of his sufferings as unmerited and severe; that very complaint proving the necessity for their being sent, in order to his being further humbled in the sight of God _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew נטה5186 צפון6828 על5921 תהו8414 תלה8518 ארץ776 על5921 בלי1099 מה׃4100
