Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid [it]:
Ver. 18. Which wise men have told from their fathers] Who have carefully and faithfully transmitted it as a doctrinal truth to us, their posterity, from hand to hand. For in Job's time it is likely that the Scriptures were not yet written. Which, or, which things wise men Who did, in their generations, Deum recte cognoscere et colere, rightly know and worship God, which is the highest wisdom, saith Lactantius.
Have told] Have spoken it so plainly and plentifully, as if they had showed us the things acted before our eyes.
From their fathers] Who were careful to instil good instructions and heavenly truths into the minds of their children, their familiars, and families, as did Abraham, Genesis 18:17,19, and others according to God's own appointment, Deuteronomy 6:1,2
And have not hid it] But communicated it for the good of many. Light is diffusive of itself. Knowledge is perfected while it is communicated. The more you teach and impart to others, eo ditior ac doctior fias, saith one, the richer and more skilfull you become (Bodin. Theat. Nat. p. 9). It is not the pouring out which drieth up the streams of grace, like that oil, 2 Kings 4:6. See Pro 11:24-25 Psalms 78:2,4 .