Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 23:17

17. Because I was not cut off before the darkness ; neither hath he covered the darkness from my face .

Because God did not cut me off by death.

i. e. Before these dark and dismal miseries came upon me. Or, before the Face, or by reason of the darkness, i. e. That God hath not yet cut me off by these calamities, but prolonged my days under them, that he might encrease my torment.

So that I might no longer see, or feel my Miseries, but might be taken out of them by my long desired death. Seeing (and consequently having before ones face) is oft put for experiencing, for enjoying good, or feeling evil, as Iob 20. 17. Psal. 16. 10, &c. Or, but he hath covered darkness, to wit, death, which is so called, I[illegible: 1+ letters]b. 10. 21, 22. and elsewhere, from my Face, i. e. he will not allow me the favour to see death.