Job 27:1 Commentary and Bible Study

The way this first verse of this chapter is phrased probably indicates that Job paused at this point to give opportunity for Zophar to speak, but when he remained silent, Job began again. Zophar does not speak in the third round, because he has said all he has to say and sees that Job is not cowed by any of his words. Job starts by swearing that what he is about to say is the truth, and he does so by appealing to the being of God. He vows to maintain his integrity and he does so by taking an oath of such a form that none of his hearers could doubt that he means what he says. He swears by the life of God in a form of words that is very similar to that used by the Lord himself (Numbers 14:21, 28; Deuteronomy 32:40, etc.). At the same time he is about to add a complaint that God has not treated him with justice but has ignored his righteous character and sent evil into his life that is more fit for a wicked man than for a righteous. God has acted in a hostile way towards him and made his soul bitter with suffering, with confusion, and with unanswered questions. Nevertheless Job will not abandon his loyalty to his Creator. Referring to the creation act recorded for us in Genesis, he says that while the breath and the life that has been given him remain in him, he will continue to fear the Lord and not speak wickedness. In the context of the dispute between Job and the three friends this means that Job will not adopt their explanation for events, nor accept their feeble solution by confessing his wickedness as the remedy for his condition.