Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Read Chapter 42
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Reprehend. Hebrew and Septuagint, "vilify. "(Haydock)
I recall the obscure expression which has occasioned my friends to mistake. (Du Hamel)
Penance. Hebrew, "groan. "Septuagint, "pine away, I look upon myself as dust and ashes. "Such are the sentiments which every one will entertain the nearer he approaches to the divine Majesty. (Haydock)
I no longer assert my innocence, but wait patiently in my present forlorn condition, till thou shalt be pleased to dispose of me. How much would the reputation and authority of Job sink, if some of his assertions had been destitute of truth, particularly as the sacred author does not mention which they were! But God exculpates his servant, ver. 8. (Houbigant)
Chaldean, "I have despised my riches, and I am comforted with respect to my children, who are now reduced to dust and ashes. "I find a consolation in submitting patiently to my sufferings, which I may have deserved on account of my unguarded speeches. (Calmet)
Job waits not for God's answe...
6. For the less a person sees himself, the less is he displeased with himself; and the more he discerns the light of greater grace, the more blameworthy does he acknowledge himself to be. For when he is elevated within, by all that he is, he endeavours to agree with that standard which he beholds above him. And because human weakness still impedes him, he perceives that he differs therefrom in no slight degree, and every thing within him is burdensome, which does not agree with that inward standard. This standard blessed Job more fully beholds, as he was making progress after his suffering, and with great self-reproach is at variance with himself, saying; Therefore I reproach myself. But because there is no knowledge of reproach, if the lamentations of penitence do not also follow, it is rightly added, after the reproach,
And do penance in dust and ashes.
7. For to do penance in dust and ashes, is, after having contemplated the supreme Essence, to acknowledge himself to be nothing el...
God clearly said to him, “Do you think that I have dealt with you in any other way than that you might appear to be righteous?” That was in order, he says, to make you speak as you are speaking now, and not in order to condemn you. This is a justification for all that happened before. Actually he has not been delivered yet from his trial when he speaks so, but he is still in the midst of his torments when he makes his retraction. I attach no importance to myself, he says; I am only going to present the justification of God with regard to what has happened before. I was not even worthy of that. It is when Job has condemned himself that God justifies him. And what does he say? He has said to his friends that they must expiate their guilt and constantly calls Job his servant. - "Commentary on Job 42.6"
