Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 19:12

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

His robbers come together, and make themselves a way through me. For 'his robbers' are evil spirits, who busy themselves in hunting out the deaths of men; and these 'make themselves a way' in the hearts of the afflicted, when, amidst the adversities that are undergone outwardly, they do not cease to infuse bad thoughts likewise; of whom it is yet further added; And encamp round about my tabernacle. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XIV ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He puts the sign of God's anger and hatred next when he continues, "His hired robbers came all at once." The term "hired robbers" means the Sabeans (1:15), the Chaldeans (1:17) and the demons (c.1) who together laid waste his goods almost like a conspiracy. He terms them "robbers hired by God" as though this happened from divine ordination, as even the friends of Job had said. …

Commentary on Job ↗