Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 8:17

17. His roots are wrapped about the heap , and seeth the place of Stones.

To wit, of stones, which word may be here understood out of the latter Branch of the Verse, as is very usual in Scripture-use. This Circumstance of the Tree is added, to signifie either 1. Its firmness and strength, that it was not in loose and sandy ground, which a violent Wind might overthrow, but in solid and hard ground, within which were many stones, which its numerous and spreading Roots embrace, solding and interweaving themselves severally about several stones. Or, 2. Its singular and extraordinary growth in spight of all disadvantages and oppositions; that every stony-ground, which is very prejudicial to Trees, Matth. 13. 5. doth not hinder its growth, but only add to its strength. So God and Man seem to conspire, and all things concur to secure and perpetuate this Man's happiness. Some render the words, His roots are wrapped, or folded, or spread, or about, or [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] spring, as the Hebrew gal sometime signifies; as Ioshua 15. 19. Cant. 4 12. i. e. A moist ground, which is much to its advantage: See Psalm 1. 3. Ier. 17. 8.

He, i. e. the Tree whose Roo[illegible: 1+ letters] he last mentioneth, reacheth thither, spreadeth himself so far, takes the advantage of that place for the strengthning of its self. Seeing is oft put for enjoying, and is frequently attributed to lifeless things, by a known Figure, called Prosopopeia.

Heb. the house, which is oft used for a place; as 2 Sam. 6. 17. 1 Kings 8. 6. Others render the words thus, He looketh upon the house of stones; i. e. made of stones for greater beauty and strength. He standeth proudly, and looketh boldly upon its Owners house, nigh unto which it is placed, even in his Garden, as was said before.