Job 17:13

“If I wait, the grave [is] mine house, etc.] Not that Job put an “if” upon, or made a doubt of waiting upon God in private or public; or of waiting for him, his gracious appearances to him, answers of prayer, performance of promises, and deliverance out of trouble; and especially of waiting his appointed time till his change came, and hoping and expecting eternal life and happiness; all which he determined to do, and did, (see <181315> Job 13:15,16 14:14 19:26,27); but he says this with respect to the advice of his friends, which should it be taken, the issue of would be no other than what he here suggests; they had intimated, that if he repented and reformed, he might hope for and expect a…”

“Rather, "if I wait for this grave (Sheol, or the unseen world) as my house, and make my bed in the darkness (Job 17:14), and say to corruption," rather, "to the pit" or "grave," &c. (Job 17:15). Where then is my hope? [UMBREIT]. The apodosis is at Job 17:15.”

“If I wait - Or more accurately, “truly I expect that the grave will be my home.” The word rendered “if” (אם 'ı̂m) is often used in such a sense. The meaning is, “I look certainly to the grave as my home. I have made up my mind to it, and have no other expectation.” The grave - Hebrew שׁאול she'ôl. It may mean here either the grave, or the region of departed spirits, to which he expected soon to descend. Mine house - My home; my permanent abode. I have made my bed - I am certain of making my bed there. I shall soon lie down there. In the darkness - In the grave, or in the dark world to which it leads; see the notes at Job 10:21-22. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Wait - For deliverance, I should be disappointed; for I am upon the borders of the grave, I expect no rest but in the dark grave, for which therefore I prepare myself. I endeavour to make it easy, by keeping my conscience pure, by seeing Christ lying in this bed, (so turning it into a bed of spices) and by looking beyond it to the resurrection. Job 17:14”

“17:13 to the grave (Hebrew to Sheol): The realm of the dead was visualized as a house (30:23; Ps 49:11; Eccl 12:5).”

“If I wait: Job 14:14; Psa 27:14; Lam 3:25, Lam 3:26 the grave: Job 17:1, Job 10:21, Job 10:22, Job 30:23 I have made: Psa 139:8; Isa 57:2 Job 17:14”

“13 If I hope, it is for Shel as my house, In darkness I make my bed. 14 I cry to corruption: Thou art my father! - To the worm: Thou art my mother and sister! 15 Where now therefore is my hope? And my hope, who seeth it? 16 To the bars of Shel it descends, When at the same time there is rest in the dust. All modern expositors transl.: If I hope (wait) for Shel as my house, etc., since they regard Job 17:13. as a hypothetical antecedent clause to Job 17:15, consisting of four members, where the conclusion should begin with ואיּה, and should be indicated by Waw apodosis. There is no objection to this explanation so far as the syntax is concerned, but there will then be weighty thoughts which…”