Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 8:12

12. Whilest it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb .

Whereby it promiseth long continuance.

Though no man cut it down, it withered of itself, and will save a man the labour of cutting or plucking it up. It gives not a man so much warning that he can cut it down in time, as other green things do, but suddenly withered.

i. e. Sooner than other herbs or in their presence, or they surviving; in which sense it seems to be said that Ishmael died in the presence of his brethren, Gen. 25 18. The rest of the herbs looking upon it and admiring this sudden change. For actions of sense and understanding are oft ascribed to lifeless creatures both in Scripture and in other Authors.

Marginal references: Psal. 129. 6. Jer. 17. 6.