Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 23:13

13. But he is in one mind , and who can turn him ? and what his Soul desireth even that he doth .

i. e. Notwithstanding all these Evidences of my sincere Piety, and all my Prayers to him, he still continues in the same mind and course of afflicting me. Or, But he is, i. e. if he be, against one, or against any man, as that word is oft used, as he now setteth himself against me. Or, But he is one, the Hebrew prefix Beth, being here the note of a Nominative Case, as it is Iob 18. 8. Psal. 68. 5. Hos. 13. 9. and elsewhere. So the sense is, But why do I waste words to no purpose? All my former constant Integrity, and my present profession of it gives me no ease▪ he is still one and the same, constant, unchangeable in his purposes and counsels of proceeding against me. Or, he is alone, and there is none besides him, who can either restrain, or advise, or move him.

No man can change his Counsels or course, or encline him to shew favour to me. He is most absolute and free to do what he pleaseth, and he dealeth with me accordingly, and not by those milder Methods which he useth towards other men.

He will not do what I please or desire, but only what pleaseth himself.

Marginal references: Chap. 9. 12. 13. & 12. 14.; Psal. 115. 3.