Job 18:2-12

2 "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak.

3 Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight?

4 You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?

5 "Yea, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine.

6 The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out.

7 His strong steps are shortened and his own schemes throw him down.

8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on a pitfall.

9 A trap seizes him by the heel, a snare lays hold of him.

10 A rope is hid for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path.

11 Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.

12 His strength is hunger-bitten, and calamity is ready for his stumbling.

Job 18:2-12 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.