Job 18

Job 18:1-21 . REPLY OF BILDAD.

2. ye--the other two friends of Job, whom Bildad charges with having spoken mere "words," that is, empty speeches; opposed to "mark," that is, come to reason, consider the question intelligently; and then let us speak.

3. beasts--alluding to what Job said ( Job 12:7 ; so Isaiah 1:3 ).
vile--rather from a Hebrew root, "to stop up." "Stubborn," answering to the stupidity implied in the parallel first clause [UMBREIT]. Why should we give occasion by your empty speeches for our being mutually reputed, in the sight of Job and one another, as unintelligent? ( Job 17:4 Job 17:10 ).

4. Rather, turning to Job, "thou that tearest thyself in anger" ( Job 5:2 ).
be forsaken?--become desolate. He alludes here to Job's words as to the "rock," crumbling away ( Job 14:18 Job 14:19 ); but in a different application. He says bitterly "for thee." Wert thou not punished as thou art, and as thou art unwilling to bear, the eternal order of the universe would be disturbed and the earth become desolate through unavenged wickedness [UMBREIT]. Bildad takes it for granted Job is a great sinner ( Job 8:3-6 , Isaiah 24:5 Isaiah 24:6 ). "Shall that which stands fast as a rock be removed for your special accommodation?"

5. That ( Job 18:4 ) cannot be. The decree of God is unalterable, the light (prosperity) of the wicked shall at length be put out.
his fire--alluding to Arabian hospitality, which prided itself on welcoming the stranger to the fire in the tent, and even lit fires to direct him to it. The ungodly shall be deprived of the means to show hospitality. His dwelling shall be dark and desolate!

6. candle--the lamp which in the East is usually fastened to the ceiling. Oil abounds in those regions, and the lamp was kept burning all night, as now in Egypt, where the poorest would rather dispense with food than the night lamp ( Psalms 18:28 ). To put out the lamp was an image of utter desolation.

7. steps of his strength--Hebrew, for "His strong steps." A firm step marks health. To be straitened in steps is to be no longer able to move about at will ( Proverbs 4:12 ).
his own counsel--Plans shall be the means of his fall ( Job 5:13 ).

8. he walketh upon--rather, "he lets himself go into the net" [UMBREIT]. If the English Version be retained, then understand "snare" to be the pitfall, covered over with branches and earth, which when walked upon give way ( Psalms 9:15 , 35:8 ).

9. robber--rather answering to "gin" in the parallel clause, "the noose shall hold him fast" [UMBREIT].

11. Terrors--often mentioned in this book ( Job 18:14 , 24:17 ; &c.). The terrors excited through an evil conscience are here personified. "Magor-missabib" ( Jeremiah 20:3 ).
drive . . . to his feet--rather, "shall pursue" (literally, "scatter," Habakkuk 3:14 ) him close "at his heels" (literally, "immediately after his feet," Habakkuk 3:5 , 1 Samuel 25:42 ; Hebrew). The image is that of a pursuing conqueror who scatters the enemy [UMBREIT].

12. The Hebrew is brief and bold, "his strength is hungry."
destruction--that is, a great calamity ( Proverbs 1:27 ).
ready at his side--close at hand to destroy him ( Proverbs 19:29 ).