Job 20:17

“He shall not see the rivers, etc.] Of water, or meet with any to assuage his thirst, which poison excites, and so makes a man wish for water, and desire large quantities; but this shall not be granted the wicked man; this might be illustrated in the case of the rich man in hell, who desired a drop of cold water to cool his tongue, but could not have it, (<421624>Luke 16:24); though rather plenty of good things is here intended, (see <234818> Isaiah 48:18); as also the following expressions: the floods, the brooks of honey and butter; or “cream”; which are hyperbolical expressions, denoting the great profusion and abundance of temporal blessings, which either the covetous rich man was…”

“floods--literally, "stream of floods," plentiful streams flowing with milk, &c. (Job 29:6; Exo 3:17). Honey and butter are more fluid in the East than with us and are poured out from jars. These "rivers" or water brooks are in the sultry East emblems of prosperity.”

“He shall not see the rivers - That is, he shall not be permitted to enjoy plenty and prosperity. Rivers or rills of honey and butter are emblems of prosperity; compare Exodus 3:17; Job 29:6. A land flowing with milk, honey, and butter, is, in the Scripture, the highest image of prosperity and happiness. The word rendered “rivers” (פלגה pelaggâh), means rather “rivulets small streams - or brooks,” such as were made by “dividing” a large stream (from פלג pâlag, to “cleave, divide”), and would properly be applied to canals made by separating a large stream, or dividing it into numerous watercourses for the purpose of irrigating lands. The word rendered “floods,” and in the margin, “streaming…”

“See - Not enjoy that abundant satisfaction and comfort, which good men through God's blessings enjoy. Job 20:18”

“20:17 The streams of olive oil and rivers of milk and honey signify superabundant blessing (Exod 5:19; Deut 27:3; Joel 3:18).”

“shall not see: Num 14:23; Kg2 7:2; Jer 17:6-8; Luk 16:24 the rivers: Psa 36:8, Psa 36:9; Isa 41:17; Jer 17:6; Rev 22:1 floods: or, streaming brooks of honey: Deu 32:13, Deu 32:14; Sa2 17:29; Psa 81:16; Isa 7:15, Isa 7:22 Job 20:18”

“17 He shall not delight himself in streams, Like to rivers and brooks of honey and cream. 18 Giving back that for which he laboured, he shall not swallow it; He shall not rejoice according to the riches he hath gotten. 19 Because he cast down, let the destitute lie helpless; He shall not, in case he hath seized a house, finish building it. 20 Because he knew no rest in his craving, He shall not be able to rescue himself with what he most loveth. As poets sing of the aurea aetas of the paradise-like primeval age: Flumina jam lactis, jam flumina nectaris ibant, (Note: Ovid, Metam. i. 112, comp. Virgil, Ecl. iv. 30: Et durae quercus sudabant roscida mella; and Horace, Epod. xvi. 47 Mella cava…”