Clarke's Bible Commentary - Job 23:9
Verse 9. On the left hand, where he doth work ] In these two verses Job mentions the four cardinal points of the heavens: the EAST, by the word µdq kedem, which signifies before; the WEST, by rwja achor, which signifies after, or the back part; the NORTH, by lam semol, which signifies the left; and the SOUTH, by ymy yamin, which signifies the right. Such is the situation of the world to a man who faces the east; see Gen. xiii. 9, 11; xxviii. 14. And from this it appears that the Hebrews, Idumeans, and Arabs had the same ideas of these points of the heavens. It is worthy of remark that Job says, He hideth himself on the right hand, (the south,) that I cannot see him: for in fact, the southern point of heaven is not visible in Idumea, where Job was. Hence it comes that when he spake before, chap. ix. 9, of the constellations of the antarctic pole, he terms them the hidden chambers of the south; i.e., those compartments of the celestial concave that never appeared above the horizon in that place. - See Calmet.
Mr. Good translates these verses as follows: ] Behold! I go forward, and he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him.
On the left hand I feel for him, but trace him not: He enshroudeth the right hand, and I cannot see him.
The simple rendering of Coverdale is nervous and correct: ] For though I go before, I fynde hym not: Yf I come behynde, I can get no knowledge of him: Yf I go on the left syde to pondre his workes, I cannot atteyne unto them: Agayne, yf I go on the right syde, he hydeth himself, That I cannot se him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-12 - Job knew that the Lord was every where present; but his mind was in such confusion, that he could get no fixed view of God's mercifu presence, so as to find comfort by spreading his case before him. Hi views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance, and frow upon him. Yet Job expressed his assurance that he should be brough forth, tried, and approved, for he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Her we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or i opposition to him, ch. 32:2. Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but boldly to assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement of sin, was his error. An he is guilty of a second, when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, wherein the injured fin redress, and the evil are visited for their sins.
Original Hebrew
שׂמאול 8040 בעשׂתו 6213 ולא 3808 אחז 2372 יעטף 5848 ימין 3225 ולא 3808 אראה׃ 7200
