Origen of Alexandria, Commentaries on Job

Enarrationes in job

Verse 9. but say a word against the lord, and die. after she had related the tragedy in detail, then she brought forth her shameless counsel. and she

God scattered me, or, my god's contempt. teman, their eclipse. zophar, a watchman, or contempt. bildad, growing old, and renowned. shuhites, their idl

Of pains and such suspicion to be reckoned among the living. therefore, upon the loss of his possessions and the sudden death of his children, we have

He should be unashamed, he speaks to his face, not refuting, nor speaking the truth, but reproaching and insulting. for one must not tread upon those

Is made harsh by the tongue of the one chewing it. just as, he says, that herb, even if one should be very eager to grind it smooth with his teeth, he

They are fearless. they do not fear god, they despise the godhead saying such things about god, they are not afraid that they are speaking about god.

Teach us, having received the grace of teaching. verse 4. and he will enter with you into judgment. god, holding an account of the one for whom he pro

Like a gazelle from snares, and like a bird from a trap. verse 12. does not he who dwells on high observe? but you think that god, who dwells on high,

To pass the verdict of punishments, it was possible to find him. would that it were possible to go to law, he says, and to meet with him, and to le

From the righteousness of job, from his courage. for this is: when my paths flowed with butter. verse 2. and my mountains flowed with milk. as many lo

In the gospel. 17.96 no one puts new wine into old wineskins v. 20. i will speak, that i may be refreshed by opening my lips. he who happens upon an i

But god gives him boldness to speak. and after other things so great is the goodness of god, that he takes upon himself the person not of one judging

To put to death. and each one puts to death, as far as it is in his power, the devil, according to what was said by the apostle: may the god of peace

14. but the flesh of his body are glued together. he could have said: but the flesh of his body are united. but he did not say it for they are not un

like a gazelle from snares, and like a bird from a trap. Verse 12. Does not he who dwells on high observe? But you think that God, who dwells on high, does not see the things being done. Since, therefore, he observes all things, he brings down the proud spirit of those lifted up by an insolent disposition. Verse 12. But those who are carried away by insolence he has humbled. If anyone is carried away by insolence, and is as it were dragged down by an insolent disposition and action, he is humbled by God. It is likely, then, since you also have been insolent to widows and orphans, and have taken pledges from your brothers for no reason; for this reason you have suffered these things, and have been humbled. Verse 13. And you said, What has the Mighty One known? It is likely that you said to yourself, What has the Mighty One known? For example, Is God able to have known all things? Verse 13. Or will he judge through the gloom? Of the same. But God is able to judge even when he is in a storm. Verse 14. And he passes through the circle of heaven. The providence of God goes about. 17.85 Verse 15. Will you not keep the eternal path? Are you not able to watch over the eternal path, by which the providence of God travels? Verse 15. Which righteous men have trodden. Of the same. Righteous men have trodden the eternal path. For they walk on an eternal path. Since it is their purpose to do all things, so as to attain the age to come. Therefore, even if they seem to walk equally, yet the soul itself walks on eternal paths. Verse 10. Who were seized untimely. Often the righteous have died before their time. For being perfected in a short time, the righteous one fulfilled long years; for his soul is a virtue in the Lord. Verse 10. Their foundations are a flowing river. Of the same. The foundations of the righteous are as follows. They are always advancing, always growing in good things. Verse 18. Who filled their houses with good things. Of the same. He filled the houses of the righteous with good things. I do not hear of these houses; but he filled their houses, those according to the ruling faculty, with good things. Of what good things? Of temperance, justice, courage, prudence, of those from works. This is what it is for houses to be filled with good things. Verse 19. But the blameless one mocked them. Whom? or the counsel of the ungodly? For example; they wish to teach certain things contrary to the truth, in saying what they say, holding wicked doctrines. The blameless one, seeing these things, mocks. Verse 20. And fire will consume their remnant. Of the same. This which is left among the ungodly, the former having died, the fire will consume. Verse 22. But he received from his mouth an explanation. I sought for myself what "explanation" means. And I found in another edition "confession" instead of it; He says, therefore, rather: Confess concerning your sins; he took from the mouth of God a suggestion with confession; but take up his words from your heart. And Eliphaz said these things, admonishing, as he supposed, Job. Verse 23. But if you turn, and humble yourself before the Lord. He admonishes him to turn back, thinking that he had suffered these things for having sinned. Verse 24. And as a rock of the torrent of Sophir. From the place where gold is produced, it will come upon you, as it were, your word will be varied and good. Verse 25. Therefore the Almighty will be a helper to you from enemies. If you submit yourself, if you confess. 17.88 Verse 25. And he will render you pure like silver tried by fire. A sound doctrine ...... tried by fire, God. Verse 20. Then you will have confidence before the Lord. Of the same. If you humble yourself, endure what has happened, you will have confidence before the Lord, you will have boldness, as having put away your sins. Verse 28. And upon your ways there will be light. Of the same. If you keep the admonition from me, and turn back and confess. These things, then, were said to Job; but they were not said justly; for he had not sinned. But if they are said to us, they are said justly. Verse 28. And he will restore to you a habitation of righteousness. And to speak simply; He will, he says, give you every continuance suitable for a righteous deed, so that you may have brilliant and glorious deeds. CHAP. 23. Verse 2. His hand has become heavy upon my groaning. But if there was, he says, immediately of the

ὥσπερ δορκὰς ἐκ βρό χων, καὶ ὥσπερ ὄρνεον ἐκ παγίδος. Στίχ. ιβʹ. Μὴ οὐχὶ ὁ τὰ ὑψηλὰ ναίων ἐφορᾷ; Ἀλλὰ νομίζεις, ὅτι οὐχ ὁρᾷ τὰ πραττόμενα ὁ ἐν ὑψηλοῖς κατοικῶν Θεός. Οἷα τοίνυν πάντα ἐφορῶν, τοὺς ὑπὸ τῆς ὑβριστικῆς ἕξεως ἐπηρμένους τὸ φρό νημα καταφέρει. Στίχ. ιβʹ. Τοὺς δὲ ὕβρει φερομένους ἐταπεί νωσεν. Εἴ τις φέρεται ὕβρει, καὶ οἱονεὶ κατασύρεται ὑπὸ ὑβριστικῆς ἕξεως καὶ πράξεως, οὗτος ταπεινοῦται ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Εἰκὸς οὖν, ἐπεὶ καὶ σὺ ὕβρισας χήρας καὶ ὀρφανοὺς, καὶ ἠνεχύρασας διακενῆς τοὺς ἀδελ φούς σου· διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα πέπονθας, καὶ τεταπεί νωσαι. Στίχ. ιγʹ. Καὶ εἶπας, Τί ἔγνω ὁ Ἰσχυρός; Εἰκὸς, ὅτι σὺ ἔλεγες κατὰ σαυτὸν, Τί ἔγνω ὁ Ἰσχυ ρός; Οἷον, ∆ύναται πάντα ἐγνωκέναι ὁ Θεός; Στίχ. ιγʹ. Ἢ κατὰ τοῦ γνόφου κρινεῖ; Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. ∆ύναται δὲ κρίνειν ὁ Θεὸς καὶ ἐν χει μῶνι γενόμενος. Στίχ. ιδʹ. Καὶ γῦρον οὐρανοῦ διαπορεύεται. Ἐκπεριέρχεται ἡ πρόνοια τοῦ Θεοῦ. 17.85 Στίχ. ιεʹ. Μὴ τρίβον αἰώνιον φυλάξῃς; Μὴ δύνασαι σὺ τὴν τρίβον τὴν αἰώνιον, καθ' ἧς πορεύεται ἡ πρόνοια τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐπιτηρῆσαι; Στίχ. ιεʹ. Ἣν ἐπάτησαν ἄνδρες δίκαιοι. Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. Τὴν τρίβον τὴν αἰώνιον ἐπάτησαν ἄν δρες δίκαιοι. Κατὰ γὰρ τρίβου αἰωνίας βαίνουσιν. Ἐπεὶ πάντα αὐτοῖς πρόκειται πράττειν, ὥστε τυχεῖν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος. Κἂν δοκῶσιν οὖν ἐπίσης βα δίζειν, ἀλλ' ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτὴ ἐπιβαίνει τρίβων αἰωνίων. Στίχ. ιʹ. Οἳ συνελήφθησαν ἄωροι. Πολλάκις δίκαιοι πρὸ καιροῦ ἐτελεύτησαν. Τε λειωθεὶς γὰρ ἐπ' ὀλίγῳ ὁ δίκαιος, ἐπλήρωσε χρό νους μακρούς· ἀρετὴ γὰρ ἐν τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. ιʹ. Ποταμὸς ἐπιῤῥέων οἱ θεμέλιοι αὐτῶν. Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. Τῶν δικαίων οἱ θεμέλιοι οἷόν εἰσιν. Ἀεὶ προκόπτουσιν, ἀεὶ αὔξουσιν ἐν τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς. Στίχ. ιηʹ. Ὃς δὲ ἐνέπλησε τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν ἀγαθῶν. Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. Τῶν δικαίων ἐνέπλησε τοὺς οἴκους ἀγαθῶν. Ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀκούω τοὺς οἴκους τούτους· ἀλλὰ τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν, τοὺς κατὰ τὸ ἡγεμονικὸν ἐνέπλησεν ἀγαθῶν. Ποίων ἀγαθῶν; Σωφροσύνης, δι καιοσύνης, ἀνδρείας, φρονήσεως, τῶν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων. Τουτέστι τὸ πληρωθῆναι οἴκους ἀγαθῶν. Στίχ. ιθʹ. Ἄμεμπτος δὲ ἐμυκτήρισεν αὐτούς. Τίνας; ἢ τὴν βουλὴν τῶν ἀσεβῶν; Οἷον· βούλονταί τινα διδάσκειν τὰ ἐναντία τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, ἐν τῷ λέ γειν· ἃ λέγουσι δόγματα μοχθηρὰ ἔχοντες. Ταῦτα ἄμεμπτος ὁρῶν μυκτηρίζει. Στίχ. κʹ. Καὶ τὸ κατάλειμμα αὐτῶν καταφάγεται πῦρ. Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. Τοῦτο ὃ καταλέλειπται κατὰ τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς, τῶν προτέρων ἀποθανόντων, τὸ πῦρ κατα φάγεται. Στίχ. κβʹ. Ἔλαβε δὲ ἐκ στόματος αὐτοῦ ἐξηγο ρίαν. Τὴν ἐξηγορίαν ἐζήτουν κατ' ἐμαυτὸν, τί σημαίνει. Καὶ εὗρον ἐν ἄλλῃ ἐκδόσει ἀντ' αὐτῆς ἐξομολόγησιν· Φησὶν οὖν μᾶλλον· Ἐξομολόγησαι περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων σου· ἔκλαβε ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσηγορίαν σὺν ἐξομολογήσει· ἀνάλαβε δὲ τὰ ῥήματα αὐτοῦ ἐκ καρδίας σου. Ταῦτα δὲ ἔλεγεν ὁ Ἐλιφὰζ, νουθετῶν, ὡς ᾤετο, τὸν Ἰώβ. Στίχ. κγʹ. Ἐὰν δὲ ἐπιστραφῇς, καὶ ταπεινώσῃς σεαυτὸν ἔναντι Κυρίου. Νουθετεῖ αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸ ἐπιστρέψαι, οἰόμενος αὐ τὸν ταῦτα ἡμαρτηκότα πεπονθέναι. Στίχ. κδʹ. Καὶ ὡς πέτρα χειμάῤῥου Σωφείρ. Ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ γίνεται τὸ χρυσίον, ἐλεύσεται ἐπὶ σὲ, οἱονεὶ, ἔσται λόγος σου ποικίλος καὶ καλός. Στίχ. κεʹ. Ἔσται οὖν σοι ὁ Παντοκράτωρ βοηθὸς ἀπὸ ἐχθρῶν. Ἐὰν ὑποτάξῃς ἑαυτὸν, ἐὰν ἐξομολογήσῃ. 17.88 Στίχ. κεʹ. Καθαρὸν δὲ ἀποδώσει σε ὥσπερ ἀργύ ριον πεπυρωμένον. Ὑγιὲς δόγμα ...... πεπυρωμένον, ὁ Θεός. Στίχ. κʹ. Εἶτα παῤῥησιασθήσῃ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου. Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. Ἐὰν ταπεινώσῃς σαυτὸν, ὑπομένῃς τὰ συμβεβηκότα, παῤῥησιασθήσῃ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, παῤῥησίαν ἕξεις, ὡς ἀποθέμενος τὰ ἁμαρτήματα. Στίχ. κηʹ. Ἐπὶ τῶν ὁδῶν σου ἔσται φῶς. Τοῦ αὐτοῦ. Ἐὰν τηρήσῃς νουθεσίαν ἀπ' ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃς καὶ ἐξομολογήσῃ. Ταῦτα μὲν οὖν πρὸς Ἰὼβ ἐλέγετο· οὐ δικαίως δὲ ἐλέγετο· οὐ γὰρ ἥμαρτε. Πρὸς ἡμᾶς δὲ ἐὰν λέγηται, δικαίως λέγεται. Στίχ. κηʹ. Ἀποκαταστήσῃ δέ σοι δίαιταν δικαιοσύνης. Καὶ ἁπλῶς εἰπεῖν· Ἅπασάν σοι, φησὶ, τὴν ἁρμό ζουσαν δικαίῳ πράξει διαμονὴν, ὥστε σε λαμπρὰς καὶ ἐπιδόξους ἔχειν τὰς πράξεις. ΚΕΦ. ΚΓʹ. Στίχ. βʹ. Ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ βαρεῖα γέγονεν ἐπ' ἐμῷ στεναγμῷ. Εἰ δὲ ἐνῆν, φησὶ, παραυτὰ τῶν