Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. When I went out to the gate ] Courts of justice were held at the gates or entrances of the cities of the East; and Job, being an emir, was supreme magistrate: and here he speaks of his going to the gate to administer justice.
I prepared my seat in the street ] I administered judgment openly, in the most public manner, and none could say that I, in any case, perverted justice. Mr. Good translates: - "As I went forth the city rejoiced at me, as I took my seat abroad."
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-17 - All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and goo management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blesse with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Jo valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should ar themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, an resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who wer ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth Hi praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth justice, and love.
Original Hebrew בצאתי3318 שׁער8179 עלי5921 קרת7176 ברחוב7339 אכין3559 מושׁבי׃4186
