Job 11:4 - Exposition

For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure . Job had certainly not said this in so many words. In fact, he had not spoken of his "doctrine" ( לקח ), nor had he called either his doctrine or his conduct absolutely pure ( זך ). But, no doubt, he had maintained, in a certain sense, his innocency; not, indeed, his entire freedom from sin or guilt, but his honest endeavour to serve God and lead a good life. This was the real point disputed between him and his "comforters;" they argued, from his sufferings, that he must be a "chief sinner;" he maintained, from the testimony of his conscience, that he was free from all heinous sins . And I am clean in thine eyes (see above, Job 9:30 ; Job 10:7 ).