Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 18:13

13. It shall devour the strength of his skin : even the first-born of death shall devour his strength.

Heb. The bars, or rather, the branches of the skin, i. e. either the veins, and sinews which branch out themselves through the skin as well as elsewhere: Or the fat and flesh which like Bars support the skin, and adorn and beautifie it, as branches do a Tree; without which the skin is shrivel'd up and deformed.

i. e. A most remarkable and terrible kind of death. The first-born was the chief of his Brethren, and therefore this title is given to things eminent in their kind, as Isa. 14. 30. Col. 1. 18. Heb. 12. 23. Rev. 1. 5.

Marginal references: Heb. bars.