Job 19:8

“He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, etc.] A metaphor taken from travellers, who not only meet with obstacles and obstructions in their way, which make it difficult; but sometimes with such enclosures and fences, that they are at a full stop, and cannot pass on, and know not what course to steer: the people of God are not inhabitants of this world, but pilgrims, strangers, and sojourners in it, and travellers through it; they are bound for another country, and are travelling to it; and though their way for far most part is indeed troublesome, but generally passable, or made so; yet sometimes not only is their way hedged up with afflictions, and they hedged about with them, that they…”

“Image from a benighted traveller.”

“He hath fenced up my way - This figure is taken from a traveler, whose way is obstructed by trees, rocks, or fences, so that he cannot get along, and Job says it was so with him. He was traveling along in a peaceful manner on the journey of life, and all at once obstructions were put in his path, so that he could not go farther. This does not refer, particularly, to his spiritual condition, if it does at all. It is descriptive of the obstruction of his plans, rather than of spiritual darkness or distress. And he hath set darkness in my paths - So that I cannot see - as if all around the traveler should become suddenly dark, so that he could not discern his way. The “language” here would well…”

“19:8 blocked my way: See 3:23; 13:27; Ps 88:8; Lam 3:7, 9.”

“fenced: Job 3:23; Psa 88:8; Lam 3:7, Lam 3:9; Hos 2:6 set: Jos 24:7; Pro 4:19; Isa 50:10; Jer 13:16, Jer 23:12; Joh 8:12 Job 19:9”