Job 20:3 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

I have heard from thy mouth. Or, Shall I hear, to wit, with patience, and without a reply? Who can endure it? The check of my reproach, i.e. thy shameful and opprobrious reproofs of us, as if we and all thy friends were void of all humanity and natural affection towards them, and were haters, and cruel persecutors, and even devourers, of thee, Job 19:19,22; and as if we were guilty of most heinous crimes, and might expect God's vengeance upon us. The spirit, i.e. my soul or mind. Of my understanding, or, because of (for so the Hebrew mem oft signifies) my understanding i.e. out of, or because of, that certain knowledge which I have of this matter from study and experience; I have not spoken, and I shall not speak, out of ignorance, or prejudice, or passion and rage against Job, as he asperseth us, but only what I evidently know, and yet hope that I can and shall convince thee of. Causeth me to answer, i.e. forceth me to speak. Or, answereth for me, i.e. either vindicates me against thy calumnies, or suggesteth an answer to me.