They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hastens to the prey.
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Didymus the Blind
AD 398
The swift runner does not appear to touch the ground; he appears as though he has wings. [Job says], “ ‘My life is swifter than a runner.’ I look at what is above. ‘I do not run aimlessly.’ I do not touch the ground.” Because they want to reach the finish line, the righteous keep on running, even when they run into obstacles. For example, when they encounter a distressful situation they continue to run. Even David ran, for he said, “I have run without unrighteousness, always running straight ahead.” And, “I ran the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding.” Job also hints at this twofold interpretation: First, “judges,” whose faces are completely covered, is a reference to the people’s leaders who run away in fear of the righteous because they saw no successful outcome of the [righteous person’s] race. [Their faces are covered] because they are unworthy [to be judges or leaders.] Secondly, however, consider whether Job may not also be speaking about the righteous as w...
Carrying. Hebrew literally, "of desire "belonging to one person, or full of goods, which he desires to carry quickly to market. (Menochius)
Chaldean agrees with us. But most interpreters vary. Pagnin retains the original, ebe; (Haydock) supposing the river Abeh, or Avah, is meant. It certainly implies expedition; "they have hastened like (Calmet) the eagle to its prey. "Septuagint, "Is there any trace of ships, or of an eagle flying in quest of food? "(Haydock)
47. They that traverse seas transporting fruits, do themselves indeed enjoy the smell of the same, but the food thereof they convey to others. What else then did the ancient Fathers shew themselves, saving ships carrying fruits? They indeed in foretelling the mystery of God's Incarnation, themselves enjoyed the sweet odour of hope, but to ourselves they brought down the fruit by the completion of that hope. For what they but smelled at in expecting, we are replenished with in seeing and receiving. And hence That same Redeemer saith to His disciples, Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. [John 4, 38] And their days are likened to ships, because they pass by on their way, and very properly to those bearing fruits, for all the Elect severally, whom they carried before the Redeemer's coming, through the Spirit of prophecy, they were enabled to refresh with the expectation, but not to feed with the manifest appearing. Or, surely, whereas when ships carry fruits, ...
He means, “My memories themselves are dead, and I don’t even know what I am talking about, as my pain is so great! In the moment itself, in which I speak, I forget, as the storm around me is so strong!” - "Commentary on Job 9.25–27"
