Albert Barnes Commentary Job 16:15

"I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust." — Job 16:15 (ASV)

I have sewed sackcloth - I have put on the symbols of humiliation and grief; see the notes at (Isaiah 3:24). This was the usual emblem of mourning. To express it more deeply, or to make it a “permanent” memorial of sorrow, it would seem that it was “sewed” around the body—as we “sew” crepe on the hat.

And defiled my horn in the dust - The word rendered “defiled” (from עלל ‛âlal) has, according to Gesenius, the notion of “repetition,” derived from the use of the Arabic word. The Arabic means to drink again, that is, after a former drink; and then, to drink deep. Hence, the word is applied to any action which is repeated—as to the second blow by which one already struck down is killed; to an after-harvest, or to gleaning in the fields. Here Gesenius supposes it means to “maltreat,” to “abuse;” and the idea according to him is, that he had covered his whole head in the dust.

The word “horn” is used in the Scriptures to denote strength and power. The figure is taken from horned animals, whose strength resides in their horns; and hence, as the horn is the means of defense, the word comes to denote that on which one relies: his strength, honor, dignity.

A horn, made of “silver,” was also worn as an ornament, or as an emblem, on the forehead of females or warriors. It was probably used at first by warriors as a symbol of “power, authority,” or “strength;” and the idea was undoubtedly derived from the fact that the strength of animals was seen to lie in the horn.

Then it came to be a mere ornament, and as such is still used in the vicinity of Mount Lebanon. Eastern customs do not undergo those changes which are so common in the Western world, and it is possible that this custom prevailed in the time of Job.

The “horn” was usually worn by females; it is also a part of the ornament on the head of a male, and as such would doubtless be regarded as an emblem of honor. The custom is prevalent at the present day among the Druses of Lebanon, the Egyptian cavalry, and in some parts of Russia bordering on Persia.

Dr. Macmichael, in his “Journey,” says: “One of the most extraordinary parts of the attire of their females (Druses of Lebanon), is a silver horn, sometimes studded with jewels, worn on the head in various positions, “distinguishing their different conditions.” A married woman has it affixed to the right side of the head, a widow on the left, and a virgin is pointed out by its being placed on the very crown. Over this silver projection the long veil is thrown, with which they so completely conceal their faces so that they rarely have more than an eye visible.”

The horn worn by females is a conical tube, about twelve inches long. Colonel Light mentions the horn of the wife of an emir, made of gold, and studded with precious stones. Horns are worn by Abyssinian chiefs in military reviews, or on parade after a victory.

They are much shorter than those of the females, and are about the size and shape of a candle extinguisher, fastened by a strong fillet to the head, which is often made of metal; they are not easily broken off. This special kind of horn is undoubtedly the kind made by the false prophet Zedekiah for Ahab, to whom he said, when Ahab was about to attack the enemy, “With these you shall push the Syrians, until you have conquered them;” (1 Kings 22:11; 2 Chronicles 18:10).

The idea here is that whatever once constituted Job's reliance or glory was now completely prostrate. It was as if it were buried in the earth.