Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 31:26

26. If I beheld the sun when it shined , or the moon walking in brightness :

Not simply, nor only with admiration (for it is a glorious work of God which we ought to contemplate and admire) but for the end here following, or so as to ascribe to it the honour peculiar to God.

Heb. the light, to wit, the Sun, as appears by the opposition of the Moon following, which is called the light here, and Gen. 1. 16. Psalm 136. 7, 8. by way of eminency, because it is the great light, and the fountain of light to this visible World. And this is understood either 1. of Iob's worldly glory, or prosperity, which is oft compared to light in Scripture, as the contrary is to darkness: And so the sense of those and the following words is, If I reflected upon my wealth and glory, with pride and admiration, and satisfaction. But this he had now mentioned in plain and proper terms, v. 25. and therefore it is not likely that he should now repeat the same thing in dark and metaphorical expressions. And although this be a great sin before God, yet this is not one of those sins which fall under he cognizance of humane Judges, as it here follows, v. 28 Or rather 2. of the Sun in the Firmament: and so this place speaks of the Idolatrous worship of the Host of Heaven, and especially of the Sun and Moon, the most eminent and glorious of that number, which was the most ancient kind of Idolatry, and was most frequen[illegible: 1+ letters] in the Eastern Countries, in one of which Io[illegible: 1+ letters] lived.

i. e. In its full strength and glory; for then it did most affect mens eves and hearts with admiration at its beauty and benefits, and so move them to adore it. Or, when it began to [illegible: 1+ letters]hine; (the compleat Verb being used of the beginning of it▪ as he [illegible: 1+ letters]igned, is oft put for he began to reign) i. e. at its first ri[illegible: 1+ letters]ng, which was a special and the chief time for its adoration

When it shines most clearly; or when it is at the full, for then especially did the Idolaters worship it.

Marginal references: Deut. 4. 19. & 11. 16. & 17. 3.; Heb. the light.; Heb. bright