Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 8:16

16. He is green before the Sun , and his branch shooteth forth in his garden o.

Either 1. the perfect man here understood out of v. 20. where it is expressed: Or rather 2. the hypocrite, of whom he hath hitherto treated, to whom this and the following verses very well agree; Whom he before compared to a Rush, and then to a spiders web and now to a Tree, which is of a more solid substance and more durable; as if he said, as some wicked men are quickly cut off in the very beginnings of their prosperity; so there are others who seem to be more firmly grounded, and yet they also at last come to ruine.

i. e. Flourisheth in the world.

Either 1. publickly and in the view of all men, who observe it with admiration, and applause, and envy. Comp. 2 Sam. 12. 12. Or rather 2. notwithstanding all the scorching heat of the Sun, which quickly withers the Rushes and Herbs of which he spake before, but doth onely cherish and refresh the Tree. And so doth many a wicked man secure himself, and thrive and prosper even in times of great danger and trouble, and in spight of all opposition.

Or, His branches, the singular number for the plural; either 1. properly, and so this belongs to the description of a flourishing Tree, by the spreading of its branches here, as by the depth of its Root, v. 17. Or 2. metaphorically, to wit, his Children, which are here mentioned as additions not onely to his comfort, but also to his strength and safety.

n A place where it is defended from those injuries to which the Trees of the field are subject from men and beasts, and where besides the natural advantages common to all Trees, it hath peculiar helps from the Art and industry of men, by whom it is watered and assisted, as need requires. So he supposeth this man to be placed in the most desirable circumstances.

Marginal references: Ch. 29. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].