Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 30:18

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

In the multitude of them is my garment consumed, and they have bound me about as with the collar of my coat. If we give heed to the history, what else do we take 'the garment' of blessed Job for, but his body? whose 'garment indeed is consumed' when the flesh is put to torment. But according to the mystery of allegory, 'the garment' of Holy Church is the life of the faithful. For as the whole Church together is 'the garment' of Christ so the faithful severally are accounted 'garments' of that same Church. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XX ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He shows their great number saying, "My clothing is consumed by their great numbers," as if to say: The multitude of the worms is so great that they not only eat my flesh, but also gnaw his clothing. To show that they are diffused not just in one part of the body, but almost in his whole body, even to his head, he then says, "and they encircle me like a cowl on my tunic," as if to say: Because of their great number, they cannot be contained under the cover of the band and garment, but break out into the open and go around his neck.

Commentary on Job ↗