Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 5:2

2. For wrath killeth the foolish man , and envy slayeth the silly one .

Either 1. the wrath of God; or rather 2. a man's own wrath, fretting, and impatience, and indignation; which kills men partly naturally, as it preys upon a man's spirit and wasteth him inwardly, and so hastens his death; of which see Prov. 14. 30. & 17. 22. partly morally, as it prompts him to those rash, and furious, and wicked actions which may procure his death: and partly meritoriously as it provoketh God to cut him off, and to bring upon him those further and severe strokes, which he mentions in the following words.

Either 1. the rash and inconsiderate man, who doth not ponder things impartially; but like a mad man rageth against God, and torments himself and all that hear him. Or, 2. the ungodly man, who is frequently called a fool in Scripture-language, and who is here opposed to the Saints, v. 1.

He taxeth Iob, who spoke with great envy at those that were never born, or were in their graves, Ch. 3. 10, 12, &c.

Properly, the man, who for want of true wisdom, is soon deceived with false opinions and appearances, and present things; which is thy case, O Iob! The sense of the verse may be this, I perceive, O Iob! that thou art full of envy at wicked men, who at present are, or seem to be in an happier condition than thou, and of wrath against God, who denies thee that mercy, and loads thee with afflictions; and this shews thee to be a foolish and weak man. For those men, notwithstanding their present prosperity, are doomed to great and certain misery, as it here follows. And so this verse coheres with the following, as well as the foregoing verses.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word].