Job 9:26

"“Now my days are swifter than a runner. They flee away. They see no good."

Key Reflection

In Job 9:26, the prophet expresses the brevity and futility of his life through vivid imagery. He compares his days to "a runner" that swiftly flees away, suggesting a rapid passage without any meaningful outcome. This metaphor underscores the fleeting nature of human existence and the lack of substantial purpose or positive experiences within these brief years.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

They are passed away as the swift ships -Margin, Ships of desire; or ships of Ebeh. Hebrewאבהאניה'onı̂yâh'êbeh. Vulgate,Naves poma portantes. Septuagint, “Is there any track left by ships in their passage?” The Chaldee renders it as the Vulgate, “Ships bearing good fruit;” that is, as such fruit was perishable, haste was required in order to reach the place of destination. Our translators were evidently perplexed by the wordאבה'êbeh, as appears by their placing two different phrases in the margin. “Ships of desire,” denotes the value or desirableness of such ships; and the phrase, “Ships of Ebeh,” denotes their confession of ignorance as to the meaning of the word.

More from Job 9

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