Job 18:1-8

Bildad Speaks of the Wicked

1 Then Bildad the Shuhite responded *,
2 "How long will you hunt * for words? Show understanding and then we can talk.
3 "Why are we 1regarded as beasts, As stupid in your eyes?
4 "O you who tear yourself in your anger - For your sake is the earth to be abandoned, Or the rock to be moved from its place?
5 "Indeed, the 2light of the wicked goes out, And the flame of his fire gives no light.
6 "The light in his tent is 3darkened, And his lamp goes out above him.
7 "His vigorous stride is shortened, And his 4own scheme brings him down.
8 "For he is 5thrown into the net by his own feet, And he steps on the webbing.

Job 18:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 18

In this chapter is Bildad's second reply to Job, in which he falls with great fury upon him, very sharply inveighs against him, and very highly charges him; the charges he brings against him are talkativeness and inattention to what was said to him, Job 18:1,2; contempt of his friends, impatience under his affliction, and pride and arrogance, as if the whole world, the course of nature and providence, and God himself all must give way to him, Job 18:3,4; nevertheless, he is assured of the miserable state of a wicked man, sooner or later, which is described by the extinction of his light of prosperity, Job 18:5,6; by the defeat of his counsels, being ensnared in a net laid for him, Job 18:7-10; by the terrible judgments of the sword, famine, and pestilence, by one or the other of which he is brought to death, the king of terrors, Job 18:11-14; by the destruction of his habitation and of his posterity, so that he has none to hear his name, or perpetuate his memory, Job 18:15-17; by his being driven out of the world, leaving no issue behind him, to the astonishment of all that knew him, Job 18:18-20; and the chapter is closed with this observation, that this is the common case of wicked and irreligious persons, Job 18:21.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Psalms 73:22
  • 2. Job 21:17; Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 20:20; Proverbs 24:20
  • 3. Job 12:25
  • 4. Job 15:6
  • 5. Job 22:10; Psalms 9:15; Psalms 35:8; Isaiah 24:17, 18

Footnotes 4

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.