The Pulpit Commentary on Job 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

By the blast of God they perish; rather, by the breath of God, as in Job 37:10. The word used ( גִשְׁמָה) means always, as Professor Lee observes," a slight or gentle breathing." The slightest breath of God's displeasure is enough to destroy those against whom it is directed.

And by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. Here "blast" would be better than "breath," for רוח is a stronger word than נשׁמה. Similarly, רוח is a stronger word than יאבדו. The breath kills, the blast utterly consumes, transgressors.

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