Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 16:10

10. They have gaped upon me with their mouth , they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully , they have gathered themselves together against me .

The Instruments of God's anger, my Friends, as they are falsly called.

Opened their mouths wide against me; either 1. to devour and destroy me; as a Lion which falls upon h[illegible: 1+ letters]s Prey with open mouth; as this phrase is used, Psalm 22. 13, 14. And this they did aggra ating and encreasing his sorrows, whereby he was well-nigh overwhelmed. Or 2. To [illegible: 1 word] and deride me, as it follows, and as this phrase is most commonly used, as Psalm 22 8. & 35. 21.

Or, by reproach; or in way of scorn and contempt; whereof such smiting was a sign; as 1 Kings 22. 24. Lament. 3. 30. Mich. 5. 1. The sign is here put for the thing signified: They d[illegible: 1+ letters] spised and derided me.

i. e. They are come from several places and met together here, not for me, or to comfort me as they pretended, but really against me, or to torment and gri[illegible: 1+ letters] me. Heb. they have filled themselves, &c. Either 1. they have filled up their numbers, they are all come against me. Or 2. they have filled their minds with evil Opinions of me, and their hearts with courage and resolution to assault me, and their mouths with words and arguments against me. Compare Eccles. 8. 11. Acts. 5 3.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 3. 30. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]. 1.