Job 18:5-21

Evil people’s fate

5 To be sure, the light of the wicked goes out; the blaze of their fire doesn't shine.

6 The light in their tent becomes dark, and their lamp above doesn't shine.

7 Their strong strides slow down; their plans trip themselves.

8 They are caught by their feet in a net; they walk on mesh.

9 A trap grabs them by the heel; a snare tightens on them.

10 A rope is hidden on the ground for them; a trap for them along the path.

11 Terrors round about scare them; they follow their steps.

12 Their offspring hunger; calamity is ready for their spouses.

13 It eats some of their skin. Death's firstborn consumes their limbs.

14 They are snatched from the safety of their tent; it parades them before the king of terrors.

15 Nothing they own remains in their tent; sulfur is scattered over their home.

16 Their roots dry out below; their branches wither above.

17 The memory of them will perish from the earth; they will achieve no recognition abroad.

18 They are thrust from light into darkness, banished from the world.

19 They have no offspring or descendants among their people, no survivor in their dwelling place.

20 Their successors are appalled at what happens to them; their predecessors pull their hair.

21 These are surely the dwelling places of the evil; this is the place of the one who doesn't know God.

Job 18:5-21 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.