Job 23:12, Joh 4:32, 34 | JFB | STEP | 12. esteemed —rather, "laid up," namely, as a treasure found ( ); alluding to the words of Eliphaz ( ). There was no need to tell me so; I have done so already ( ). necessary —"Appointed portion" (of food; as in ). UMBREIT and MAURER translate, "More than my law, " my own will, in antithesis to "the words of His mouth" ( ). Probably under the general term, "what is appointed to me" (the same Hebrew is in ), all that ministers to the appetites of the body and carnal will is included.

Job 23:12

12. esteemed—rather, "laid up," namely, as a treasure found (Mt 13:44; Ps 119:11); alluding to the words of Eliphaz (Job 22:22). There was no need to tell me so; I have done so already (Jer 15:16).

necessary—"Appointed portion" (of food; as in Pr 30:8). UMBREIT and MAURER translate, "More than my law," my own will, in antithesis to "the words of His mouth" (Joh 6:38). Probably under the general term, "what is appointed to me" (the same Hebrew is in Job 23:14), all that ministers to the appetites of the body and carnal will is included.

John 4:32

32. meat ye know not of—What spirituality of mind! "I have been eating all the while, and such food as ye dream not of." What can that be? they ask each other; have any supplies been brought Him in our absence? He knows what they are saying though He hears it not.

John 4:34

34. My meat is, &c.—"A Servant here to fulfil a prescribed work, to do and to finish, that is 'meat' to Me; and of this, while you were away, I have had My fill." And of what does He speak thus? Of the condescension, pity, patience, wisdom He had been laying out upon one soul—a very humble woman, and in some respects repulsive too! But He had gained her, and through her was going to gain more, and lay perhaps the foundations of a great work in the country of Samaria; and this filled His whole soul and raised Him above the sense of natural hunger (Mt 4:4).