Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 21:4

4. As for me, is my complaint to man ? and if it were so , why should not my spirit be troubled ?

Or, of man; for the prefix Lamed commonly signifieth both to and of: And this question implies a Denial, or that his Complaint is not to, or of man; to wit, only, but to, or of God; as is here sufficiently implied, and oft elsewhere expressed by Iob in this Book. So the sense seems to be either 1. this, I do not make my moan or complaint unto, or expect relief from you, or from any men, but from God onely: and therefore you have reason patiently to hear me when I am pouring forth my Complaints to God. Or rather 2. this, do I onely complain, or have I reason to complain onely of you, and your unmerciful carriage to me; or of men who have dealt barbarously with me? Chap. 1. & 30. 1. 9. &c. Surely no: But my complaint is of God, and of his hard and severe dealing with me. It is he who hath alienated my Friends affections from me, and stirred up mine enemies against me: And though it hath been my chief care and business to please and serve him, yet he hath also set himself against me, and shot all his Arrows into me. And therefore my Expostulations with him (which here follows, v. 7.) is the more reasonable; and if you will hear me calmly and patiently, you will find that I have cause of complaining.

i. e. If my complaint were only of man, I have cause to be troubled. Or, if it be so, i. e. If I do not complain of man, but of God, it is no wonder if my Spirit be greatly oppressed, and you ought to allow me the liberty of easing my troubled mind, and modestly pleading my Cause before God,

Heb. be shortned or straitned; i. e. either grieved, or vexed, as this word signifies, Exod. 6. 9. Num. 21. 5. Iudg. 10. 16. & 16. 16. The heart is enlarged by joy and contracted by sorrow; as appears by Philosophy and Experience.

Marginal references: Heb. shortned.