Albert Barnes Commentary


Albert Barnes Commentary
"But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value." — Job 13:4 (ASV)
But you are forgers of lies - The word "lies" here seems to be used in a broad sense, to denote sophisms, false accusations, and errors. They maintained false positions; they did not see the exact truth regarding the divine dealings and the character of Job. They maintained strenuously that Job was a hypocrite and that God was punishing him for his sins. They maintained that God deals with people in exact accordance with their character in this world, all of which Job regarded as false doctrine, and asserted that they defended it with sophistical arguments invented for the purpose, and thus they could be spoken of as "forgers of lies."
Physicians of no value - The meaning is that they had come to give him consolation, but nothing that they had said had imparted comfort. They were like physicians sent for to visit the sick, who could do nothing when they came; compare (Job 16:2).