Job 8:11,12 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Can the rush grow without mire, &c. This, and what follows, he speaks as from those ancients, to whom he had referred him, and concerning whom he says, that they would give him such instructions as these. While it is yet in its greenness Whereby it promises long continuance: and not cut down Though no man cut it down it withers of itself, and saves a man the labour of cutting or plucking it up. Before any other herb Sooner than other herbs, or, as לפני, liphnee, means, in their presence, or they surviving; in which sense it is said, that Ishmael died in the presence of his brethren; the rest of the herbs, as it were, looking upon it, and admiring the sudden change.