English · KJV

Ephrem the Syrian

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 764 passages across 40 books

Commentary

521–540 of 764
Job 8:1-3

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

So Bildad the Shuhite reproached Job because he thought that the words that Job had said for the sake of truth and justice were, in fact, spoken out of arrogance and disdain.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 8:2

Job 9:17

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

These words mean two different things, either that Job had not sinned, even though he was, nevertheless, undergoing a punishment; or that Christ, as if he were guilty of sin, would have suffered resolutely the temptation of blameless passions.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 9:17

Job 10:10-12

Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?

Here [Job] foreshadows the incarnation of the divine Word through the assumption of human nature. These words, in fact, appear to be addressed to the Father, as if they were said by the person [the Son] of the Lord.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 10:11-12

Job 11:7

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

These words mean, “Do you know what the Almighty will do at the end of his works?” I certainly grant that we have experience of things that are otherwise evident and manifest, but they only disclose to us the loftiness of heaven and all divine things.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 11:7

Job 12:18-19

He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

These words must not refer to the sons of Aaron, who did not live anymore at that time, but to priests such as Job himself and Melchizedek. If the narrative is about real and holy priests, how is it said that they are led away in amazement? Evidently, [they are led away] in order that they may be astonished and admire the prodigies that are brought agains the impious through the decision of God and through the godhead. And so Job proceeds to relate here the admirable things that through the power and will of God happen in the sea, among the nations, among the kings and the leaders, and among all those, who prevail with force, deal with weapons and are called to war. Therefore, he submits.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 12:19

Job 13:15

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

These words mean, “Even if he kills me, I will support myself with my hope and faith in him.” O admirable man, who, being destined to be killed, praises his killer and looks at him. Indeed Job knew that if he had taken away his life, the same one who is the Lord of Abraham, would have given it back to him. He believed that God was able to make alive those who had died.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 13:15

Job 14:7-10

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Here the blessed Job assumes the role of teacher and prophet, and through the symbol of the tree coming to life again, he predicts his return to his former state. At the same time, Job prophesies that human nature in its entirety will be renewed. Giving vigorous thanks to the perfume of the baptismal waters, the human race will sprout again. Endowed with a new growing foliage, human nature will regain the dignity of its former beauty. After, it will be planted again through the death of the Lord.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 14:7

Job 15:20-24

The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

This means that pain and anguish catches [the wicked] in the middle, just like in a field where on one side a king threatens with inimical banners and on the other side pillaging robbers impend, so that his mind and soul cannot be at rest.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 15:24

Job 16:7-10

But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

Your words cruelly pierce me, because you endeavor to present me as a false witness before God, whose wrath “has torn me.” Even in the middle of my mourning, where the loss of the children and cattle had dragged me, bodily pains invaded me. And I certainly remained silent, but he struck me with ominous reports and harsh news.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 16:9

Job 17:1-2

My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.

“My spirit is broken” in bitterness and pain, because my ulcers torture me, or, on the other hand, because of my friends, who are ready to burst out against their friend.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 17:1-2

Job 18:15-16

It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.

These words mean that the punishment of the impious will be similar to the massacre of the Sodomites. “Their roots dry beneath, and their branches wither above” so that nothing useful to the impious may remain anywhere, beneath or above the ground.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 18:15-16

Job 19:25-27

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

“For I know that my Redeemer lives and that at last he will be revealed upon the earth.” Here the blessed Job predicts the future manifestation of Emmanuel in the flesh at the end of time.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 19:25

Job 20:16-18

He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

“They will not rejoice on the division of the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds.” These words mean that those rivers were divided on Mount Calvary, and the streams derived from the rivers signify the gifts of the Spirit communicated by the revelation of the Gospel.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 20:17

Job 21:7-14

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Certainly God does not cease from benefiting the wicked, in order to show that he has no hate against them, so that they may not say, “Since God hates us, he will never open the door of repentance to us.” And while he severely and sternly acts with the righteous, he nevertheless offers his love to the unrighteous. The rewards to be granted in time for [righteous] virtues are the future signs of the good works they do.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 21:3-7

Job 22:21-25

Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

This means that you will be restored to your former state. And God will be your helper while before it seemed that he had completely neglected the care of your salvation, as if he had been absent.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 22:23

Job 23:1-2

Then Job answered and said,

“Today also my speech is bitter,” that is, my words happen to be harsh and irksome to both our ears. In a different sense [we may interpret the passage as] you, indeed, to use harsher speech against you, drive me with your words.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 23:2

Job 24:25

And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

“If it is not so, may his wrath make me lie,” that is, if sinners do not go into that scorn that I have mentioned before, may the wrath of God prove false what I have said.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 24:25

Job 25:5-6

Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

Indeed the stars themselves do not regulate the times according to their authority but know their rising and setting moments according to the [divine] law that has been fixed for them.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 25:5

Job 26:13

By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

These words eloquently signify the perceptible serpent that must be annihilated by Christ’s death. He calls Satan a fleeing and deserting serpent in order to indicate his flight from the company of the heavenly powers, and also because he hoped to escape the punishment of his crime.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 26:13

Job 27:5-7

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

“I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go.” That means, I will not surrender, nor will the perseverance and resolution of my soul yield, but I will patiently and bravely bear my calamity.

COMMENTARY ON JOB 27:6

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