Job 27:16

“Though he heap up silver as the dust, etc.] Which, as it denotes the great abundance of it collected together, so it expresses the bias and disposition of such a man’s mind, that he cannot be content without amassing great quantities of it, and also his diligence and success therein, (see <111027>1 Kings 10:27 <193906>Psalm 39:6 <350206>Habakkuk 2:6); and prepare raiment as the clay; not merely, for use, but pomp and show, to fill his wardrobes with; and formerly, raiment was part of the treasure of great men: the phrase signifies that he might have such a variety of raiment, and such large quantities of it, that he would value it no more than so much clay; or else that his riches, consist…”

“dust . . . clay--images of multitudes (Zac 9:3). Many changes of raiment are a chief constituent of wealth in the East.”

“Though he heap up silver as the dust - That is, in great quantities - as plenty as dust; compare 1 Kings 10:27, “And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones.” And prepare raiment - Oriental wealth consisted much in changes of raiment. Sir John Chardin says that in the East it is common to gather together immense quantities of furniture and clothes. According to D’Herbelot, Bokteri, an illustrious poet; of Cufah in the ninth century, had so many presents made him in the course of his life, that when he died he was found possessed of an hundred complete suits of clothes, two hundred shirts, and five hundred turbans. compare Ezra 2:69, and Nehemiah 7:70 see Bochart IIieroz. P. II.…”

“As clay - In great abundance. Job 27:18”

“heap up: Job 22:24; Kg1 10:27; Hab 2:6; Zac 9:3 prepare raiment: D'Herbelot tells us, that Bokhten, an illustrious poet of Cufah, in the 9th century, had so many presents made him, that at his death he was found possessed of 100 suits of clothes, 200 shirts, and 500 turbans. Mat 6:19; Jam 5:2 Job 27:17”