Job had sometimes complained of his friends that they were so eager in disputing that they would scarcely let him put in a word: “Suffer me that I may speak;” and, “O that you would hold your peace!” But now, it seems, they were out of breath, and left him room to say what he would.

Job’s discourse here is called a parable (mashal), the title of Solomon’s proverbs, because it was grave and weighty, and very instructive, and he spoke as one having authority.

Job having solemnly protested the satisfaction he had in his integrity, for the further clearing of himself, here expresses the dread he had of being found a hypocrite. I.

Job’s friends had seen a great deal of the misery and destruction that attend wicked people, especially oppressors; and Job, while the heat of disputation lasted, had said as much, and with as much assurance, of their prosperity; but now that the heat of the battle was nearly over he was willing to…