Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 2:8

8. And [he took him a Potsherd ] to scrape himself withal; and [he sat down among the ashes .]

Partly to allay the Itch which his Ulcers caused: and partly to squeeze out, or take away that purulent matter which was under them, or flowed from them, and was the great cause of his Torment. And this he did not with soft Linnen Cloaths, either because he had not now a sufficient quantity of them for so much use; or because therein he must have had the help of others who abhorred to come near him, Ch. 1[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ 13, 14, 15. Nor with his own Hands or Fingers which were also ulcerous, and so unfit for that use, and besides he loathed to touch himself; but with Potsherds, either because they were next at hand, and ready for his present use; or in token of his Repentance and deep Humiliation under Gods heavy hand, which made him decline all things which favoured of tenderness and delicacy,

Heb. In dust or ashes, as Mourners used to do: Of which see Iob 42. 6. Ionah. 3. 6. Mat. 11. 21.