Job 40:7

“Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and, declare thou unto me, etc.] And prepare to give an answer to what should be demanded of him. The same way of speaking is used in (<183803>Job 38:3);”

“(See on Job 38:3). Since Job has not only spoken against God, but accused Him of injustice, God challenges him to try, could he govern the world, as God by His power doth, and punish the proud and wicked (Job 40:7-14).”

“Gird up thy loins now like a man - An expression taken from the ancient mode of dress. That was a loose, flowing robe, which was secured by a girdle when traveling, or when one entered upon anything requiring energy; see the notes at Matthew 5:38-41. The meaning here is, “Prepare thyself for the highest effort that can be made. Put forth all your strength, and explain to me what will now be said;” compare the notes at Isaiah 41:21. I will demand of thee - Hebrew “I will ask of thee.” That is, I will submit some questions to you to be answered. And declare thou unto me - Hebrew “Cause me to know.” That is, furnish a satisfactory answer to these inquiries, so as to show that you understand the…”

“Gird: Job 13:22, Job 23:3, Job 23:4, Job 38:3 I: Job 42:4 Job 40:8”

“7 Gird up thy loins manfully: I will question thee, and do thou answer me! 8 Wilt thou altogether annul my right, Condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? 9 And hast thou then an arm like God, And canst thou with the voice thunder like Him? The question with האף stands to Job 40:2 in the relation of a climax: Job contended not alone with God, which is in itself wrong, let it be whatsoever it may; he went so far as to lose sight of the divine justice in the government of the world, and in order not to be obliged to give up his own righteousness, so far as to doubt the divine. ואם, Job 40:9, is also interrogative, as Job 8:3; Job 21:4; Job 34:17, comp. Job 39:13, not expressive of a wish, as…”