Job 5:18

“For he maketh sore, and bindeth up, etc.] Or, “though he maketh sore, yet he bindeth up” f217; as a surgeon, who makes a wound the sorer by probing and opening it, to let out the matter and make way for his medicine, and then lays on the plaster, and binds it up: so God causes grief and puts his people to pain, by diseases of body, or by making breaches in, their families and estates, and such like cutting providences; and then he binds up their breach, and heals the stroke of their wound, and in the issue makes all whole again: so in spiritual things; he cuts and wounds, and gives pain and uneasiness, by the sharp twoedged sword of the word, and by his Spirit making use of it; and lays open…”

“he maketh sore, and bindeth up-- (Deu 32:39; Hos 6:1; Sa1 2:6). An image from binding up a wound. The healing art consisted much at that time in external applications.”

“For he maketh sore - That is, he afflicts. And bindeth up - He heals. The phrase is taken from the custom of binding up a wound; see Isaiah 1:6, note; Isaiah 38:21, note. This was a common mode of healing among the Hebrews; and the practice of medicine appears to have been confined much to external applications. The meaning of this verse is, that afflictions come from God, and that he only can support, comfort, and restore. Health is his gift; and all the consolation which we need, and for which we can look, must come from him. return to 'Top of Page'”

“For he, &c. - God's usual method is, first to humble, and then to exalt. And he never makes a wound too great, too deep for his own cure. Job 5:19”

“Deu 32:39; Sa1 2:6; Psa 147:3; Isa 30:26 Job 5:19”