Ephrem the Syrian

In his own words on Job

• Job 1:1

  Even though many others lived in Uz, no one was comparable to Job with regard to piety and innocence. He was of high reputation and was celebrated in everybody's words. And so that no one might think these things had been granted to Job thanks to his human ability, God never allowed a single possession of Job's to perish. [God] said, "My desire is that even a single hair, a loss that would be the very slightest, may be returned and increased for Job."

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 1:1

• Job 1:20-21

  The text means that Job was not covered with crimes and evil deeds and would have returned "naked," that is, pure and innocent to "his mother's womb." He was so firm in his holy frankness that you may easily imagine he had never turned aside from righteousness nor would have ever passed from virtue to vice in the future.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 1:21

• Job 2:6

  "Only spare his soul." God does not say this as if he wanted to prevent the devil from snatching Job's life away, but he says "spare him." That is, be careful not to destroy the natural state of Job's mind and reason. So God arranged things in order that the devil, being convinced by the evidence of the facts, might acknowledge that Job, even though he was pressed by so many afflictions, could never be brought to blasphemy.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 2:6

• Job 2:11

  In the meantime, while the friends investigated Job's case and made preparations for their journey, there is no doubt that many days passed. They were all lords and men of princely rank. Job's three friends signified the class of the high priests, the priests and the prophets, who flourished among the Jews. And Job's seven sons represented the priests of the church, the apostles, the prophets, and those people endowed with the gift of miracles and healing, the assistants of the moderators, the presbyters and the deacons. - "Commentary on Job 2:11"

• Job 3:4-5

  Learn here the reason which led the Emmanuel to a new birth in the flesh. Certainly the sin of the world was the reason for the advent of Christ.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 3:4

• Job 4:3

  "See, you have reproached many." Eliphaz shows Job that he has corrected many with his action and has brought them back to a fitting moderation with his advice and warnings. "And you have strengthened the weak hands," that is, since you exhorted others to endure with a strong soul the calamities that befell them, now it is fair that you exercise patience in your own afflictions.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 4:3

• Job 5:6-7

  "And the young birds will raise their feathers over him." This text indicates that sin is the cause of the calamities humans suffer. In a different sense we may understand the text to speak of angels as "sons of the winged ones," sent by God either for our correction and punishment when we transgress or for our protection and salvation after we have repented.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:7

• Job 6:15

  The streams' waters fall from heaven and are symbols of the prophecies and oracles announced to the Jewish people through the prophets, just as through mystic clouds, as if the prophets' words were rains falling from heaven.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 6:15

• Job 8:2

  So Bildad the Shuhite reproached Job because he thought that the words that Job had said for the sake of truth and justice were, in fact, spoken out of arrogance and disdain.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 8:2

• Job 9:17

  These words mean two different things, either that Job had not sinned, even though he was, nevertheless, undergoing a punishment; or that Christ, as if he were guilty of sin, would have suffered resolutely the temptation of blameless passions.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 9:17

• Job 10:11-12

  Here [Job] foreshadows the incarnation of the divine Word through the assumption of human nature. These words, in fact, appear to be addressed to the Father, as if they were said by the person [the Son] of the Lord.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 10:11-12

• Job 11:7

  These words mean, "Do you know what the Almighty will do at the end of his works?" I certainly grant that we have experience of things that are otherwise evident and manifest, but they only disclose to us the loftiness of heaven and all divine things.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 11:7

• Job 12:18-19

  These words must not refer to the sons of Aaron, who did not live anymore at that time, but to priests such as Job himself and Melchizedek. If the narrative is about real and holy priests, how is it said that they are led away in amazement? Evidently, [they are led away] in order that they may be astonished and admire the prodigies that are brought agains the impious through the decision of God and through the godhead. And so Job proceeds to relate here the admirable things that through the power and will of God happen in the sea, among the nations, among the kings and the leaders, and among all those, who prevail with force, deal with weapons and are called to war. Therefore, he submits.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 12:19

• Job 13:15

  These words mean, "Even if he kills me, I will support myself with my hope and faith in him." O admirable man, who, being destined to be killed, praises his killer and looks at him. Indeed Job knew that if he had taken away his life, the same one who is the Lord of Abraham, would have given it back to him. He believed that God was able to make alive those who had died.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 13:15

• Job 14:7

  Here the blessed Job assumes the role of teacher and prophet, and through the symbol of the tree coming to life again, he predicts his return to his former state. At the same time, Job prophesies that human nature in its entirety will be renewed. Giving vigorous thanks to the perfume of the baptismal waters, the human race will sprout again. Endowed with a new growing foliage, human nature will regain the dignity of its former beauty. After, it will be planted again through the death of the Lord.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 14:7

• Job 15:24

  This means that pain and anguish catches [the wicked] in the middle, just like in a field where on one side a king threatens with inimical banners and on the other side pillaging robbers impend, so that his mind and soul cannot be at rest.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 15:24

• Job 16:9

  Your words cruelly pierce me, because you endeavor to present me as a false witness before God, whose wrath "has torn me." Even in the middle of my mourning, where the loss of the children and cattle had dragged me, bodily pains invaded me. And I certainly remained silent, but he struck me with ominous reports and harsh news.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 16:9

• Job 17:1-2

  "My spirit is broken" in bitterness and pain, because my ulcers torture me, or, on the other hand, because of my friends, who are ready to burst out against their friend.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 17:1-2

• Job 18:15-16

  These words mean that the punishment of the impious will be similar to the massacre of the Sodomites. "Their roots dry beneath, and their branches wither above" so that nothing useful to the impious may remain anywhere, beneath or above the ground.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 18:15-16

• Job 19:25

  "For I know that my Redeemer lives and that at last he will be revealed upon the earth." Here the blessed Job predicts the future manifestation of Emmanuel in the flesh at the end of time.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 19:25

• Job 20:17

  "They will not rejoice on the division of the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds." These words mean that those rivers were divided on Mount Calvary, and the streams derived from the rivers signify the gifts of the Spirit communicated by the revelation of the Gospel.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 20:17

• Job 21:7

  Certainly God does not cease from benefiting the wicked, in order to show that he has no hate against them, so that they may not say, "Since God hates us, he will never open the door of repentance to us." And while he severely and sternly acts with the righteous, he nevertheless offers his love to the unrighteous. The rewards to be granted in time for [righteous] virtues are the future signs of the good works they do.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 21:3-7

• Job 22:23

  This means that you will be restored to your former state. And God will be your helper while before it seemed that he had completely neglected the care of your salvation, as if he had been absent.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 22:23

• Job 23:1-2

  "Today also my speech is bitter," that is, my words happen to be harsh and irksome to both our ears. In a different sense [we may interpret the passage as] you, indeed, to use harsher speech against you, drive me with your words.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 23:2

• Job 24:25

  "If it is not so, may his wrath make me lie," that is, if sinners do not go into that scorn that I have mentioned before, may the wrath of God prove false what I have said.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 24:25

• Job 25:5-6

  Indeed the stars themselves do not regulate the times according to their authority but know their rising and setting moments according to the [divine] law that has been fixed for them.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 25:5

• Job 26:13

  These words eloquently signify the perceptible serpent that must be annihilated by Christ's death. He calls Satan a fleeing and deserting serpent in order to indicate his flight from the company of the heavenly powers, and also because he hoped to escape the punishment of his crime.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 26:13

• Job 27:6

  "I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go." That means, I will not surrender, nor will the perseverance and resolution of my soul yield, but I will patiently and bravely bear my calamity.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 27:6

• Job 28:20-21

  These words suggest that even though Christ is presented through a simile, he is, however, above any simile or figure or type and is by no means comparable to the saints. He is said to be similar to the hidden and superior powers, but it is well known that they cannot even direct their looks to him.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 28:21

• Job 29:13

  "The blessing of the one about to die will come upon me," that is, the blessings of the poor, who, being without a coat, was about to die, will come upon me, as I provided him with a garment. In a different sense, you may suggest that the person about to die is he who is dead to the world and its wealth; when the world is dead together with the things that are in it, the one who said, "Whoever lost his soul for me will find it" will come to him. The blessing of this poor, Job says, will come upon me.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 29:13

• Job 30:19

  "I have become like dust and ashes," that is, I have been rendered contemptible to them as if I were dust, and I appear to be similar to vile mud. Emmanuel too, even though he was God, was thoughtlessly considered to be unworthy when he was clothed with flesh, so that the impure Jews said, "Even though you are a man, you make yourself God."

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 30:19

• Job 31:26

  "If I had looked at the sun when it shone or the moon moving in splendor," that is, if I had seen the rising sun and worshiped it or had embraced the moon and kneeled down before it, I would have certainly erred in worshiping them.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 31:26

• Job 32:20

  "I must speak so that I may find relief," like a woman in labor, who, after bringing forth her offspring, is relieved from the pain of giving birth. And again, "my belly is in pain and does not open," that is, I was in pain and could not find any respite, because I strongly desired to speak, but I abstained from it. Now I will break my voice and will make a revelation.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 32:20

• Job 33:20

  These words mean that the soul of the wicked will never rejoice in the sins that it has committed or in the justice that it has never reached.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 33:20

• Job 34:18-19

  "Who says to a king, 'You scoundrel!' " These words are referred to God, who is the King of kings and rulers, and exercises his power on everyone, so that no rich or poor is privileged.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 34:18-19

• Job 35:12-13

  "Because of the pride of humanity," that is, they are reproved for the pride and arrogance that they show before their neighbors. And God will not hear the vain cries of proud people.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 35:12-13

• Job 36:22-23

  And you certainly, he says, were tested so far in the furnace of correction. But God will indeed restore you and will bring you back to your former wealth and dignity.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 36:22

• Job 37:19

  "Teach us what we shall say to him, so that we may not rejoice at the sight of darkness," that is, take heed that you do not hide anything from us.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 37:19

• Job 38:6-7

  "And who created at the same time the morning stars?" that is, those stars that also rise and appear in the evening. But in a different sense [we may intend], when we refer to these stars to the substances that are separated from our senses, their generation does not agree with the nature of angels. Therefore, we say that Christ is signified through the term morning and the apostles through stars; and the teachers, sons of the angels, are defined as participants in the angelic nature.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:7

• Job 39:9

  "Is the unicorn willing to serve you?" This animal, as is reported, is similar to an ox and is found in the austral regions, armed with a single horn. In the unicorn, whoever is not subjected at all to the bondage of the world is covertly represented. It is said to be provided with a single horn, because there is only one truth for the righteous. Again the human soul is compared with the unicorn, and it must be defined as endowed with a single horn if it is led by a single movement to the top. Moreover, it is said that the unicorn cannot be caught as its strength and dangerousness are extreme. However, the virgin hunter can win it, after being captured by the pleasure of beauty. So the soul is caught by the things that it has loved.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 39:9

• Job 39:13

  The sort of wings described here appears to signify the synagogue of those who led Christ to the cross. Indeed, who is that mother who generated many children but whose children are not hers? It can only be the one who gave birth to the prophets and brought up the apostles, who are not hers though. Indeed both prophets and apostles, after being adopted into the church, abandoned it.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 39:13

• Job 39:27

  The eagle is Christ. The high rock is the cross. The young ones licking the blood are the souls of the saints, who feed on Christ's blood flowing from his side, that blood that also the nations of the believers enjoy like young ones of the heavenly eagle.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 39:27

• Job 40:15

  The Behemoth is a dragon, that is, a land animal, just as the Leviathan is an aquatic sea animal.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 40:15

• Job 41:10-11

  "All that is under heaven belongs to me. And I will not be silent." These words indicate the devil, whose prodigious nature is described in these two beasts, who is destined to be conquered by the power of Christ when the fullness of time will come.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 41:2-3

• Job 42:16-17

  Scripture reports God increased by half all of Job's things, except for the children. It is evident, therefore, that the length of his life was also increased by a half. If he had lived 170 years when he was delivered from that calamity, it appears that he lived for 85 years more to the end of his life, that is, for the number of years that is the half of 170. Now, if you add 85 years to the 170 years he had lived before, you have a sum of 255. Actually Scripture declares that Job lived 248 years, therefore those 7 years that are not included in the sum were the years of his temptation. And with good reason they were not counted, because they appear to belong to a period of death more than life.

  COMMENTARY ON JOB 42:16