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Notes that are not verse specific
I find it quite frightening how easily these men draw the wrong conclusions from the right knowledge and make it seem to stem from the correct logic. It is frightening because it is a mistake that is so easy to make, and it is frightening because of how difficult it is to assess whether the views of others interpret scripture aright. We must have faith in God's guiding hand in these issues.
Peter [UK] Comment added in 2001 Reply to Peter
Zophar responds for the second time.
This vitriolic invective which comes from Zophar's mouth is actually directed at Job. He is suggesting that each of the accusations that he seems to be making generally is actually true of Job.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2001 Reply to Peter
20:2 So Zophar is answering in 'haste' - 'Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.' (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
The popular saying: with friends like these who needs enemies rings true. Now the accusations have become more bitter and caustic. Zophar is talking about the wicked and their demise in general, but really it is a veiled accusation against Job. Zophar blames Job for becoming a rich man on the backs of the poor (v.19 see 1:3). Job's friends, who have equated his punishment with sin, are now rubbing it in. Their hypocritical self-justification will not be allowed to continue, as we will see.
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2004 Reply to Michael
The friends of Job are eloquent in their rhetoric, and some of the things they point out are true. However, they miss two very important points. The first is that God is the only judge of man - man has no authority to judge another. God will determine with absolute accuracy if man has been faithful to Him. God knows that man is not perfect, as all men sin and are worthy of death (Rom 5:12). But, He is willing to forgive man if his heart and spirit are right (Psa 34:18). And so, the second point is that God is merciful to sinners. The scriptures abundantly show the mercy of the LORD, for example (Psa 118:2,3,4,29) The friends of Job accuse him of wickedness and have condemned him to eternal death. First they have no right, or capacity, to determine the spiritual quality of a man (Rom 2:1). Paul tells us that we cannot even judge ourselves (1Cor 4:3). And then, they certainly have no mandate to pass the sentence of death on an individual (Luke 6:37). Job and his friends are under the watchful eye of the LORD. Divine justice will prevail (Psa 37:32,33).
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2008 Reply to Michael
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1. Then answered <6030>(8799) Zophar <6691> the Naamathite <5284>, and said <559>(8799),
2. Therefore do my thoughts <5587> cause me to answer <7725>(8686), and for this I make haste <2363>(8800).
3. I have heard <8085>(8799) the check <4148> of my reproach <3639>, and the spirit <7307> of my understanding <998> causeth me to answer <6030>(8799).
4. Knowest <3045>(8804) thou not this of old <5703>, since man <120> was placed <7760>(8800) upon earth <776>,
5. That the triumphing <7445> of the wicked <7563> is short <7138>, and the joy <8057> of the hypocrite <2611> but for a moment <7281>?
6. Though his excellency <7863> mount up <5927>(8799) to the heavens <8064>, and his head <7218> reach <5060>(8686) unto the clouds <5645>;
7. Yet he shall perish <6>(8799) for ever <5331> like his own dung <1561>: they which have seen <7200>(8802) him shall say <559>(8799), Where <335> is he?
8. He shall fly away <5774>(8799) as a dream <2472>, and shall not be found <4672>(8799): yea, he shall be chased away <5074>(8714) as a vision <2384> of the night <3915>.
9. The eye <5869> also which saw <7805>(8804) him shall see him no more <3254>(8686); neither shall his place <4725> any more behold <7789>(8799) him.
10. His children <1121> shall seek to please <7521>(8762) the poor <1800>, and his hands <3027> shall restore <7725>(8686) their goods <202>.
11. His bones <6106> are full <4390>(8804) of the sin of his youth <5934>, which shall lie down <7901>(8799) with him in the dust <6083>.
12. Though wickedness <7451> be sweet <4985>(8686) in his mouth <6310>, though he hide <3582>(8686) it under his tongue <3956>;
13. Though he spare <2550>(8799) it, and forsake <5800>(8799) it not; but keep it still <4513>(8799) within <8432> his mouth <2441>:
14. Yet his meat <3899> in his bowels <4578> is turned <2015>(8738), it is the gall <4846> of asps <6620> within <7130> him.
15. He hath swallowed down <1104>(8804) riches <2428>, and he shall vomit them up again <6958>(8686): God <410> shall cast them out <3423>(8686) of his belly <990>.
16. He shall suck <3243>(8799) the poison <7219> of asps <6620>: the viper's <660> tongue <3956> shall slay <2026>(8799) him.
17. He shall not see <7200>(8799) the rivers <6390>, the floods <5104>, the brooks <5158> of honey <1706> and butter <2529>.
18. That which he laboured <3022> for shall he restore <7725>(8688), and shall not swallow it down <1104>(8799): according to his substance <2428> shall the restitution <8545> be, and he shall not rejoice <5965>(8799) therein.
19. Because he hath oppressed <7533>(8765) and hath forsaken <5800>(8804) the poor <1800>; because he hath violently taken away <1497>(8804) an house <1004> which he builded <1129>(8799) not;
20. Surely he shall not feel <3045>(8804) quietness <7961> in his belly <990>, he shall not save <4422>(8762) of that which he desired <2530>(8803).
21. There shall none of his meat <400> be left <8300>; therefore shall no man look <2342>(8799) for his goods <2898>.
22. In the fulness <4390>(8800)(8675) <4390>(8763) of his sufficiency <5607> he shall be in straits <3334>(8799): every hand <3027> of the wicked <6001> shall come <935>(8799) upon him.
23. When he is about to fill <4390>(8763) his belly <990>, God shall cast <7971>(8762) the fury <2740> of his wrath <639> upon him, and shall rain <4305>(8686) it upon him while he is eating <3894>.
24. He shall flee <1272>(8799) from the iron <1270> weapon <5402>, and the bow <7198> of steel <5154> shall strike him through <2498>(8799).
25. It is drawn <8025>(8804), and cometh out <3318>(8799) of the body <1465>; yea, the glittering sword <1300> cometh out <1980>(8799) of his gall <4846>: terrors <367> are upon him.
26. All darkness <2822> shall be hid <2934>(8803) in his secret places <6845>(8803): a fire <784> not blown <5301>(8795) shall consume <398>(8762) him; it shall go ill <3415>(8799) with him that is left <8300> in his tabernacle <168>.
27. The heaven <8064> shall reveal <1540>(8762) his iniquity <5771>; and the earth <776> shall rise up <6965>(8693) against him.
28. The increase <2981> of his house <1004> shall depart <1540>(8799), and his goods shall flow away <5064>(8737) in the day <3117> of his wrath <639>.
29. This is the portion <2506> of a wicked <7563> man <120> from God <430>, and the heritage <5159> appointed <561> unto him by God <410>.
Notes that are not verse specific
:2 As Zephaniah spoke during the reign of Josiah we will not be surprised to see similar language to what we find in his contemporary Jeremiah the 'fierce anger' is also found in Jeremiah 4:8, 12:13, 25:37,30:24,51:45.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
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1. Gather yourselves together <7197>(8703), yea, gather together <7197>(8798), O nation <1471> not desired <3700>(8737);
2. Before the decree <2706> bring forth <3205>(8800), before the day <3117> pass <5674>(8804) as the chaff <4671>, before <3808> the fierce <2740> anger <639> of the LORD <3068> come <935>(8799) upon you, before the day <3117> of the LORD'S <3068> anger <639> come <935>(8799) upon you.
3. Seek <1245>(8761) ye the LORD <3068>, all ye meek <6035> of the earth <776>, which have wrought <6466>(8804) his judgment <4941>; seek <1245>(8761) righteousness <6664>, seek <1245>(8761) meekness <6038>: it may be <194> ye shall be hid <5641>(8735) in the day <3117> of the LORD'S <3068> anger <639>.
4. For Gaza <5804> shall be forsaken <5800>(8803), and Ashkelon <831> a desolation <8077>: they shall drive out <1644>(8762) Ashdod <795> at the noon day <6672>, and Ekron <6138> shall be rooted up <6131>(8735).
5. Woe <1945> unto the inhabitants <3427>(8802) of the sea <3220> coast <2256>, the nation <1471> of the Cherethites <3774>! the word <1697> of the LORD <3068> is against you; O Canaan <3667>, the land <776> of the Philistines <6430>, I will even destroy <6>(8689) thee, that there shall be no inhabitant <3427>(8802).
6. And the sea <3220> coast <2256> shall be dwellings <5116> and cottages <3741> for shepherds <7462>(8802), and folds <1448> for flocks <6629>.
7. And the coast <2256> shall be for the remnant <7611> of the house <1004> of Judah <3063>; they shall feed <7462>(8799) thereupon: in the houses <1004> of Ashkelon <831> shall they lie down <7257>(8799) in the evening <6153>: for the LORD <3068> their God <430> shall visit <6485>(8799) them, and turn away <7725>(8804) their captivity <7622>(8675) <7622>.
8. I have heard <8085>(8804) the reproach <2781> of Moab <4124>, and the revilings <1421> of the children <1121> of Ammon <5983>, whereby they have reproached <2778>(8765) my people <5971>, and magnified <1431>(8686) themselves against their border <1366>.
9. Therefore as I live <2416>, saith <5002>(8803) the LORD <3068> of hosts <6635>, the God <430> of Israel <3478>, Surely Moab <4124> shall be as Sodom <5467>, and the children <1121> of Ammon <5983> as Gomorrah <6017>, even the breeding <4476> of nettles <2738>, and saltpits <4379> <4417>, and a perpetual <5704> <5769> desolation <8077>: the residue <7611> of my people <5971> shall spoil <962>(8799) them, and the remnant <3499> of my people <1471> shall possess <5157>(8799) them.
10. This shall they have for their pride <1347>, because they have reproached <2778>(8765) and magnified <1431>(8686) themselves against the people <5971> of the LORD <3068> of hosts <6635>.
11. The LORD <3068> will be terrible <3372>(8737) unto them: for he will famish <7329>(8804) all the gods <430> of the earth <776>; and men shall worship <7812>(8691) him, every one <376> from his place <4725>, even all the isles <339> of the heathen <1471>.
12. Ye Ethiopians <3569> also, ye <1992> shall be slain <2491> by my sword <2719>.
13. And he will stretch out <5186>(8799) his hand <3027> against the north <6828>, and destroy <6>(8762) Assyria <804>; and will make <7760>(8799) Nineveh <5210> a desolation <8077>, and dry <6723> like a wilderness <4057>.
14. And flocks <5739> shall lie down <7257>(8804) in the midst <8432> of her, all the beasts <2416> of the nations <1471>: both the cormorant <6893> and the bittern <7090> shall lodge <3885>(8799) in the upper lintels <3730> of it; their voice <6963> shall sing <7891>(8787) in the windows <2474>; desolation <2721> shall be in the thresholds <5592>: for he shall uncover <6168>(8765) the cedar work <731>.
15. This is the rejoicing <5947> city <5892> that dwelt <3427>(8802) carelessly <983>, that said <559>(8802) in her heart <3824>, I am, and there is none beside <657> me: how is she become a desolation <8047>, a place for beasts <2416> to lie down in <4769>! every one that passeth by <5674>(8802) her shall hiss <8319>(8799), and wag <5128>(8686) his hand <3027>.
Notes that are not verse specific
Until it was recently pointed out to us, we never realized that this letter has no salutation, also there is no direct mention of the writer.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)] Comment added in 2007 Reply to John
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1. That which <3739> was <2258>(5713) from <575> the beginning <746>, which <3739> we have heard <191>(5754), which <3739> we have seen <3708>(5758) with our <2257> eyes <3788>, which <3739> we have looked upon <2300>(5662), and <2532> our <2257> hands <5495> have handled <5584>(5656), of <4012> the Word <3056> of life <2222>;
2. (For <2532> the life <2222> was manifested <5319>(5681), and <2532> we have seen <3708>(5758) it, and <2532> bear witness <3140>(5719), and <2532> shew <518>(5719) unto you <5213> that eternal <166> life <2222>, which <3748> was <2258>(5713) with <4314> the Father <3962>, and <2532> was manifested <5319>(5681) unto us <2254>;)
3. That which <3739> we have seen <3708>(5758) and <2532> heard <191>(5754) declare we <518>(5719) unto you <5213>, that <2443> ye <5210> also <2532> may have <2192>(5725) fellowship <2842> with <3326> us <2257>: and <2532> truly our <2251> fellowship <2842> <1161> is with <3326> the Father <3962>, and <2532> with <3326> his <846> Son <5207> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>.
4. And <2532> these things <5023> write we <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, that <2443> your <5216> joy <5479> may be <5600>(5753) full <4137>(5772).
5. This <3778> then <2532> is <2076>(5748) the message <1860> which <3739> we have heard <191>(5754) of <575> him <846>, and <2532> declare <312>(5719) unto you <5213>, that <3754> God <2316> is <2076>(5748) light <5457>, and <2532> in <1722> him <846> is <2076>(5748) no <3756> darkness <4653> at all <3762>.
6. If <1437> we say <2036>(5632) that <3754> we have <2192>(5719) fellowship <2842> with <3326> him <846>, and <2532> walk <4043>(5725) in <1722> darkness <4655>, we lie <5574>(5727), and <2532> do <4160>(5719) not <3756> the truth <225>:
7. But <1161> if <1437> we walk <4043>(5725) in <1722> the light <5457>, as <5613> he <846> is <2076>(5748) in <1722> the light <5457>, we have <2192>(5719) fellowship <2842> one with another <3326> <240>, and <2532> the blood <129> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> his <846> Son <5207> cleanseth <2511>(5719) us <2248> from <575> all <3956> sin <266>.
8. If <1437> we say <2036>(5632) that <3754> we have <2192>(5719) no <3756> sin <266>, we deceive <4105>(5719) ourselves <1438>, and <2532> the truth <225> is <2076>(5748) not <3756> in <1722> us <2254>.
9. If <1437> we confess <3670>(5725) our <2257> sins <266>, he is <2076>(5748) faithful <4103> and <2532> just <1342> to <2443> forgive <863>(5632) us <2254> our sins <266>, and <2532> to cleanse <2511>(5661) us <2248> from <575> all <3956> unrighteousness <93>.
10. If <1437> we say <2036>(5632) that <3754> we have <264> <0> not <3756> sinned <264>(5758), we make <4160>(5719) him <846> a liar <5583>, and <2532> his <846> word <3056> is <2076>(5748) not <3756> in <1722> us <2254>.
1. My <3450> little children <5040>, these things <5023> write I <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, that <2443> ye sin <264>(5632) not <3363>. And <2532> if <1437> any man <5100> sin <264>(5632), we have <2192>(5719) an advocate <3875> with <4314> the Father <3962>, Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> the righteous <1342>:
2. And <2532> he is <2076>(5748) the propitiation <2434> for <4012> our <2257> sins <266>: and <1161> not <3756> for <4012> ours <2251> only <3440>, but <235> also <2532> for <4012> the sins of the whole <3650> world <2889>.
3. And <2532> hereby <1722> <5129> we do know <1097>(5719) that <3754> we know <1097>(5758) him <846>, if <1437> we keep <5083>(5725) his <846> commandments <1785>.
4. He that saith <3004>(5723), I know <1097>(5758) him <846>, and <2532> keepeth <5083>(5723) not <3361> his <846> commandments <1785>, is <2076>(5748) a liar <5583>, and <2532> the truth <225> is <2076>(5748) not <3756> in <1722> him <5129>.
5. But <1161> whoso <3739> keepeth <302> <5083>(5725) his <846> word <3056>, in <1722> him <5129> verily <230> is <5048> <0> the love <26> of God <2316> perfected <5048>(5769): hereby <1722> <5129> know we <1097>(5719) that <3754> we are <2070>(5748) in <1722> him <846>.
6. He that saith <3004>(5723) he abideth <3306>(5721) in <1722> him <846> ought <3784>(5719) himself <846> also <2532> so <3779> to walk <4043>(5721), even as <2531> he <1565> walked <4043>(5656).
7. Brethren <80>, I write <1125>(5719) no <3756> new <2537> commandment <1785> unto you <5213>, but <235> an old <3820> commandment <1785> which <3739> ye had <2192>(5707) from <575> the beginning <746>. The old <3820> commandment <1785> is <2076>(5748) the word <3056> which <3739> ye have heard <191>(5656) from <575> the beginning <746>.
8. Again <3825>, a new <2537> commandment <1785> I write <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, which thing <3739> is <2076>(5748) true <227> in <1722> him <846> and <2532> in <1722> you <5213>: because <3754> the darkness <4653> is past <3855>(5731), and <2532> the true <228> light <5457> now <2235> shineth <5316>(5719).
9. He that saith <3004>(5723) he is <1511>(5750) in <1722> the light <5457>, and <2532> hateth <3404>(5723) his <848> brother <80>, is <2076>(5748) in <1722> darkness <4653> even until <2193> now <737>.
10. He that loveth <25>(5723) his <848> brother <80> abideth <3306>(5719) in <1722> the light <5457>, and <2532> there is <2076>(5748) none <3756> occasion of stumbling <4625> in <1722> him <846>.
11. But <1161> he that hateth <3404>(5723) his <848> brother <80> is <2076>(5748) in <1722> darkness <4653>, and <2532> walketh <4043>(5719) in <1722> darkness <4653>, and <2532> knoweth <1492>(5758) not <3756> whither <4226> he goeth <5217>(5719), because <3754> that darkness <4653> hath blinded <5186>(5656) his <846> eyes <3788>.
12. I write <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, little children <5040>, because <3754> your sins <266> are forgiven <863>(5769) you <5213> for <1223> <0> his <846> name's <3686> sake <1223>.
13. I write <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, fathers <3962>, because <3754> ye have known <1097>(5758) him that is from <575> the beginning <746>. I write <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, young men <3495>, because <3754> ye have overcome <3528>(5758) the wicked one <4190>. I write <1125>(5719) unto you <5213>, little children <3813>, because <3754> ye have known <1097>(5758) the Father <3962>.
14. I have written <1125>(5656) unto you <5213>, fathers <3962>, because <3754> ye have known <1097>(5758) him that is from <575> the beginning <746>. I have written <1125>(5656) unto you <5213>, young men <3495>, because <3754> ye are <2075>(5748) strong <2478>, and <2532> the word <3056> of God <2316> abideth <3306>(5719) in <1722> you <5213>, and <2532> ye have overcome <3528>(5758) the wicked one <4190>.
15. Love <25>(5720) not <3361> the world <2889>, neither <3366> the things that are in <1722> the world <2889>. If <1437> any man <5100> love <25>(5725) the world <2889>, the love <26> of the Father <3962> is <2076>(5748) not <3756> in <1722> him <846>.
16. For <3754> all <3956> that is in <1722> the world <2889>, the lust <1939> of the flesh <4561>, and <2532> the lust <1939> of the eyes <3788>, and <2532> the pride <212> of life <979>, is <2076>(5748) not <3756> of <1537> the Father <3962>, but <235> is <2076>(5748) of <1537> the world <2889>.
17. And <2532> the world <2889> passeth away <3855>(5731), and <2532> the lust <1939> thereof <846>: but <1161> he that doeth <4160>(5723) the will <2307> of God <2316> abideth <3306>(5719) for <1519> ever <165>.
18. Little children <3813>, it is <2076>(5748) the last <2078> time <5610>: and <2532> as <2531> ye have heard <191>(5656) that <3754> antichrist <500> shall come <2064>(5736), even <2532> now <3568> are there <1096>(5754) many <4183> antichrists <500>; whereby <3606> we know <1097>(5719) that <3754> it is <2076>(5748) the last <2078> time <5610>.
19. They went out <1831>(5627) from <1537> us <2257>, but <235> they were <2258>(5713) not <3756> of <1537> us <2257>; for <1063> if <1487> they had been <2258>(5713) of <1537> us <2257>, they would <302> no doubt have continued <3306>(5715) with <3326> us <2257>: but <235> they went out, that <2443> they might be made manifest <5319>(5686) that <3754> they were <1526>(5748) not <3756> all <3956> of <1537> us <2257>.
20. But <2532> ye <5210> have <2192>(5719) an unction <5545> from <575> the Holy One <40>, and <2532> ye know <1492>(5758) all things <3956>.
21. I have <1125> <0> not <3756> written <1125>(5656) unto you <5213> because <3754> ye know <1492>(5758) not <3756> the truth <225>, but <235> because <3754> ye know <1492>(5758) it <846>, and <2532> that <3754> no <3956> <3756> lie <5579> is <2076>(5748) of <1537> the truth <225>.
22. Who <5101> is <2076>(5748) a liar <5583> but <1508> he that denieth <720>(5740) that <3754> Jesus <2424> is <2076>(5748) <3756> the Christ <5547>? He <3778> is <2076>(5748) antichrist <500>, that denieth <720>(5740) the Father <3962> and <2532> the Son <5207>.
23. Whosoever <3956> denieth <720>(5740) the Son <5207>, the same hath <2192>(5719) not <3761> the Father <3962>: (but) he that acknowledgeth <3670>(5723) the Son <5207> hath <2192>(5719) the Father <3962> also <2532>.
24. Let <3306> <0> that therefore <3767> abide <3306>(5720) in <1722> you <5213>, which <3739> ye <5210> have heard <191>(5656) from <575> the beginning <746>. If <1437> that which <3739> ye have heard <191>(5656) from <575> the beginning <746> shall remain <3306>(5661) in <1722> you <5213>, ye <5210> also <2532> shall continue <3306>(5692) in <1722> the Son <5207>, and <2532> in <1722> the Father <3962>.
25. And <2532> this <3778> is <2076>(5748) the promise <1860> that <3739> he <846> hath promised <1861>(5662) us <2254>, even eternal <166> life <2222>.
26. These <5023> things have I written <1125>(5656) unto you <5213> concerning <4012> them that seduce <4105>(5723) you <5209>.
27. But <2532> the anointing <5545> which <3739> ye <5210> have received <2983>(5627) of <575> him <846> abideth <3306>(5719) in <1722> you <5213>, and <2532> ye need <5532> <2192>(5719) not <3756> that <2443> any man <5100> teach <1321>(5725) you <5209>: but <235> as <5613> the same <846> anointing <5545> teacheth <1321>(5719) you <5209> of <4012> all things <3956>, and <2532> is <2076>(5748) truth <227>, and <2532> is <2076>(5748) no <3756> lie <5579>, and <2532> even as <2531> it hath taught <1321>(5656) you <5209>, ye shall abide <3306>(5692) in <1722> him <846>.
28. And <2532> now <3568>, little children <5040>, abide <3306>(5720) in <1722> him <846>; that <2443>, when <3752> he shall appear <5319>(5686), we may have <2192>(5725) confidence <3954>, and <2532> not <3361> be ashamed <153>(5686) before <575> him <846> at <1722> his <846> coming <3952>.
29. If <1437> ye know <1492>(5762) that <3754> he is <2076>(5748) righteous <1342>, ye know <1097>(5719) that <3754> every one <3956> that doeth <4160>(5723) righteousness <1343> is born <1080>(5769) of <1537> him <846>.