Reprove your son while there is hope, and to his moaning pay no heed. A very hotheaded man bears punishment, try to save him—you will make things worse. Proverbs 19:18-19 Robert Alter Hope – What does “hope” mean and how is it connected to discipline? Unfortunately, it’s not possible to run to some biblical text…
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. Job 13:15 NASB I will hope – You’ll recall that a few months ago we looked at the rather famous verse and noticed that there was a difference between the written text and the way the text is read. I…
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor . . .” Mark 10:21a NASB 1995 Felt a Love for Him – Don’t make this mistake! Don’t convert the intensity of the real Greek expression here…
Who is like You among the gods, Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?Exodus 15:11 NASB Among the gods – “If we were in a position to feel once more what it means for a god to be in our immediate presence, only an experience of this imminence could open our eyes.”[1] …
And man wears away like rot, like a garment eaten by moths. Man born of woman, scant of days and sated with trouble, like a blossom he comes forth and withers, and flees like a shadow—he will not stay. Job 13:28-14:2 Robert Alter Wears away – Maybe you have to live a long time to…
“Before I go—and I shall not return—to the land of darkness and deep shadow, the land of utter gloom like darkness itself, of deep shadow without order, and it shines like darkness.” Job 10:21-22 NASB I shall not return – There could hardly be a more definitive statement about the permanence of death. “I shall not return.” …
For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward. Job 5:7 NASB Born for trouble – Surprise, surprise! We often imagine that it is Job who utters these familiar words, but it isn’t. It’s Eliphaz. That makes a difference. Even if we resonate with his aphorism about the human condition, his comment is couched within…
For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, and my cries pour out like water. Job 3:24 NASB Groaning – Before we tackle the participle “groaning,” let’s understand the context. The NASB translates the opening of this verse as “at the sight of my food,” but the Hebrew is perhaps more poignant. Literally, it reads…
Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has shut off? Job 3:23 NASB Way is hidden – The verb is sātar. Its uses are important. The root in its basic meaning “hide” is common to West, Southwest, and Southeast Semitic. The subordinate thought of protection involved in the root, which helps…
The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master. Job 3:19 NASB The small and the great – What is Job’s description of life after death? Well, perhaps we shouldn’t term it “life” after death, but rather ask, “What is it like when you die?” You see, this verse…
