Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. The arrows of the Almighty ] There is an evident reference here to wounds inflicted by poisoned arrows; and to the burning fever occasioned by such wounds, producing such an intense parching thirst as to dry up all the moisture in the system, stop all the salivary ducts, thicken and inflame the blood, induce putrescency, and terminate in raging mania, producing the most terrifying images, from which the patient is relieved only by death. This is strongly expressed in the fine figure: The POISON DRINKETH UP my SPIRIT; the TERRORS of GOD SET THEMSELVES in ARRAY against me. That calamities are represented among the Eastern writers as the arrows of the Almighty, we have abundant proofs. In reference to this, I shall adduce that fine saying attributed to Aaly, the son-in- law of Mohammed in the Toozuki Teemour; which I have spoken of elsewhere. "It was once demanded of the fourth caliph (Aaly,) 'If the canopy of heaven were a bow; and if the earth were the cord thereof; and if calamities were the arrows; if mankind were the mark for those arrows; and if Almighty God, the tremendous and glorious, were the unerring Archer; to whom could the sons of Adam flee for protection?' The califf answered, 'The sons of Adam must flee unto the Lord.'" This fine image Job keeps in view in the eighth and ninth verses, wishing that the unerring marksman may let fly these arrows, let loose his hand, to destroy and cut him off.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Job still justifies himself in his complaints. In addition to outwar troubles, the inward sense of God's wrath took away all his courage an resolution. The feeling sense of the wrath of God is harder to bea than any outward afflictions. What then did the Saviour endure in the garden and on the cross, when he bare our sins, and his soul was made sacrifice to Divine justice for us! Whatever burden of affliction, i body or estate, God is pleased to lay upon us, we may well submit to it as long as he continues to us the use of our reason, and the peace of our conscience; but if either of these is disturbed, our case is very pitiable. Job reflects upon his friends for their censures. He complains he had nothing offered for his relief, but what was in itsel tasteless, loathsome, and burdensome.
Original Hebrew כי3588 חצי2671 שׁדי7706 עמדי5978 אשׁר834 חמתם2534 שׁתה8354 רוחי7307 בעותי1161 אלוה433 יערכוני׃6186
