27:1 Then Job again took up his discourse This differs from the typical heading, found in 6:1; 9:1; 12:1; 16:1; 19:1; 21:1; 23:1; 26:1. In this case, Job may have waited for his friends to respond before continuing.

27:2 As God lives Signifies an oath (1 Kgs 1:29–30; 22:14; Jer 5:2; 12:16). Job swears to his innocence. Making an oath on God’s name was the strongest form of swearing an oath. To be proven wrong would make the oath-taker a blasphemer.

he has removed my justice Even while making an oath in God’s name, Job asserts that God has dealt unfairly with him.

27:3 the spirit of God is in my nose Job acknowledges God as the sustainer of his life (Job 10:12; 12:10). Even though he believes God has dealt unfairly with him, Job still recognizes his dependence on Him.

27:4 my lips surely will not speak falseness Job vows to speak truthfully (see note on v. 2). Earlier, he said that he would speak freely (10:1). He also accused his friends of speaking falsely (13:7). Having heard his friends’ speeches, Job remains unconvinced by their words and will not change his position. He will continue to speak truthfully and uphold his righteousness and integrity.

27:5 I will not put away from me my blamelessness If Job agrees with his friends, he will violate his integrity. God spoke of Job’s integrity to Satan (2:3). See note on 11:4.

27:6 I hold fast to my righteousness Job finishes his oath by firmly declaring his righteousness (12:4). Job is not declaring himself completely free from sin—he has acknowledged his sin in 7:21. However, he believes that he has done nothing to deserve the level of suffering God has inflicted on him. See note on 11:4.

27:7 Let my enemy be like the wicked Job moves from declaring his innocence to cursing his enemy. This type of language is common in personal laments (Pss 35:1–6; 109:6–15). In his curse, Job seems to imply that the wicked have a bleak future (see note on Job 24:18–25).

27:8 what is the hope of the godless Throughout his speeches, Job has hoped for vindication. His hope is based on his innocence and God’s ultimate justice (see 19:25–26). The godless will not share in this hope because they are not innocent; instead, God will cut them off.

27:9 God hear his cry of distress Job indicates that the wicked have no hope of God hearing their cry. Though Job expresses doubt that God will hear his cry (13:24), he has also shown hope in God for eventual vindication (14:13–17; 19:25–26).

27:11 about God’s hand Job’s friends presumed to speak for God (22:26–27), and Job has already accused them of speaking falsely (13:7). Instead of presuming to know the meaning behind God’s actions, they should have called out to God for understanding, like Job did (v. 10).