Job 6:19, Isa 45:14, Eze 27:22 | JFB | STEP | 19. the troops —that is, "caravans." Tema —north of Arabia-Deserta, near the Syrian desert; called from Tema son of Ishmael ( ), still so called by the Arabs. give another picture of the mortification of disappointed hopes, namely, those of the caravans on the direct road, anxiously awaiting the return of their companions from the distant valley. The mention of the locality whence the caravans came gives living reality to the picture. Sheba —refers here not to the marauders in North Arabia-Deserta ( ), but to the merchants ( ) in the south, in Arabia-Felix or Yemen, "afar off" ( ). Caravans are first mentioned in ; men needed to travel thus in companies across the desert, for defense against the roving robbers and for mutual accommodation. The companies . . . waited for them —cannot refer to the caravans who had gone in quest of the waters; for describes their utter destruction.

Job 6:19

19. the troops—that is, "caravans."

Tema—north of Arabia-Deserta, near the Syrian desert; called from Tema son of Ishmael (Ge 25:15; Isa 21:14; Jer 25:23), still so called by the Arabs. Job 6:19, 20 give another picture of the mortification of disappointed hopes, namely, those of the caravans on the direct road, anxiously awaiting the return of their companions from the distant valley. The mention of the locality whence the caravans came gives living reality to the picture.

Sheba—refers here not to the marauders in North Arabia-Deserta (Job 1:15), but to the merchants (Eze 27:22) in the south, in Arabia-Felix or Yemen, "afar off" (Jer 6:20; Mt 12:42; Ge 10:28). Caravans are first mentioned in Ge 37:25; men needed to travel thus in companies across the desert, for defense against the roving robbers and for mutual accommodation.

The companies . . . waited for them—cannot refer to the caravans who had gone in quest of the waters; for Job 6:18 describes their utter destruction.

Isaiah 45:14

14. The language but cursorily alludes to Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba, being given to Cyrus as a ransom in lieu of Israel whom he restored (Isa 43:3), but mainly and fully describes the gathering in of the Gentiles to Israel (Ac 2:10, 11; 8:27-38), especially at Israel's future restoration (Isa 2:2; 14:1, 2; 19:18-22; 60:3-14; 49:23; Ps 68:31; 72:10, 11).

labour—wealth acquired by labor (Jer 3:24).

Sabeans . . . of stature—the men of Meroe, in Upper Egypt. HERODOTUS (3.30) calls the Ethiopians "the tallest of men" (see on Isa 18:2; 1Ch 11:23).

thee—Jerusalem ("my city," Isa 45:13).

in chains— (Ps 149:8). "The saints shall judge the world" (1Co 6:2) and "rule the nations with a rod of iron" (Zec 14:12-19; Re 2:26, 27). The "chains," in the case of the obedient, shall be the easy yoke of Messiah; as "the sword of the Spirit" also is saving to the believer, condemnatory to the unbeliever (Joh 12:48; Heb 4:12; Re 19:15).

God is in thee— (Jer 3:19).

Ezekiel 27:22

22. Sheba . . . Raamah—in Arabia.

chief of . . . spices—that is, best spices (De 33:15). Obtained from India and conveyed in caravans to Tyre.