Job 18:1

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 18:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
Job 18:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said.] Who, next to Eliphaz, spoke before, and now in his turn attacks Job a second time, and more roughly and severely than before; now he gives him no advice or counsel, nor any instructions and exhortations for his good, nor suggests that it might be better times with him again, as he had done before; but only heaps up charges against him, and describes the miserable circumstances of a wicked man, as near to Job’s as he could; thereby endeavouring to confirm his former position, that wicked men are punished of God, and to have this conclusion drawn from it, that Job must needs be a wicked man, since he was so greatly afflicted.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“REPLY OF BILDAD. (Job 18:1-21) 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.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Bildad: Job 2:11, Job 8:1, Job 25:1, Job 42:7-9 Job 18:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“1 Then began Bildad the Shuhite, and said: 2 How long will ye hunt for words?! Attend, and afterwards we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we accounted as beasts, And narrow-minded in your eyes? Job's speeches are long, and certainly are a trial of patience to the three, and the heaviest trial to Bildad, whose turn now comes on, because he is at pains throughout to be brief. Hence the reproach of endless babbling with which he begins here, as at Job 8:2, when he at last has an opportunity of speaking; in connection with which it must, however, not be forgotten that Job also, Job 16:3, satirically calls upon them to cease. He is indeed more entitled than his opponents to the entreaty not to weary…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification