An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

This verse containeth a second gesture of this spirits appearing in the vision to Eliphaz. The spirit was passing before, here standing, as if he would present himself more fully to his view and observation. It stood still, an image was before mine eyes; but though the spirit gave Eliphaz this fair advantage, yet he made little use of it, for he saith, I could not discern the form of it, that is, I could make nothing of it directly; But when his eye gave him no help, his ear did: though he could not discern or distinguish the form of the spirit appearing, yet he could distinguish the voice of the spirit speaking, there was silence, and I heard a voice saying.

This verse containeth a second gesture of this spirits appearing in the vision to Eliphaz. The spirit was passing before, here standing, as if he would present himselfe more fully to his view and observation. It stood still, an image was before mine eyes; but though the spirit gave Eliphaz this faire advantage, yet he made little use of it, for he saith, I could not discerne the forme of it, that is, I could make nothing of it directly; But when his eye gave him no helpe, his eare did: though he could not discerne or distinguish the forme of the spirit appearing, yet he could distinguish the voice of the spirit speaking, there was silence, and I heard a voice saying.

It stood still.] To stand, in Scripture, imports not always a settled posture of the body: but it is taken sometime in a larger sense, to note our presence in any place, whether it be sitting, standing or walking, as Mat. 16. 28. Christ saith, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom. Yet here the posture is conceived to be, an erect, settled, fixed posture; to the intent, Eliphaz might have his eye more settled and fixed upon it, and likewise that his heart might be better prepared and fitted, for the receiving of that message, which should be delivered unto him by it; when a man speaks, he usually makes a stand; An ambulatory speech, a speech in motion, is not so audible, nor so comely. In apparitions, this posture is frequently mentioned. When our Lord appeared to the Disciples after the resurrection, Luke saith, He stood amongst them, cap. 24. 36. Zechariah, saw the Angel standing on the right side of the Altar,