Job 20:25 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

It is drawn; either,

1. A sword, which may be understood out of this Hebrew verb, which is for the most part used of that weapon, as Numbers 22:23,31 Jud 8:20, &c., and out of the following branch of the verse. Or,

2. The arrow last mentioned, which had entered into his body, and now was drawn out of it either by himself, or by some other person, as is frequent in that case, if peradventure he might be cured. Out of the body; or, out of his body, i.e. the body of the wounded man; as appears both by the next clause of the verse, which is added to explain the former; where it is out of his gall; and from the use of this Hebrew word, which signifies a man's body or carcass, as Judges 14:8 1 Samuel 31:12 Isaiah 5:25 Nahum 3:3. The glittering sword: the word properly signifies lightning, and thence a glittering weapon, the bright sword or spear, as Deuteronomy 32:41 Ezekiel 21:10,15 Nahum 3:3 Habakkuk 3:11; whereby it is implied that he was doubly wounded; first, by the arrow, and then, to make more sure work, with the sword or spear thrust into him. But the word may as well signify the bright and sharp point of an arrow, of which he spoke hitherto; and having in the general said that it came out of his body, now he determines the part of the body, the gall; which showeth that the wound was both deep and deadly, as they are in that part. It is probable he mentions this in reference to the like expression of Job, Job 16:13. Cometh out of his gall; into which it had entered, and wherewith it was coloured. Terrors are upon him, to wit, the terrors of death, because he perceived by the tincture of his gall upon the weapon that his wound was incurable; or horrors of conscience, because he cannot live, and dare not die.

Job 20:25

25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.