BibleWord.ai›Bible›Job›Chapter 8

Job Chapter 8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 22 Verses

What is Job 8 about?

The suffering of a righteous man and the profound questions it raises about God's justice, sovereignty, and human understanding. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2How long wilt thou speak these things? And [how long] shall the words of thy mouth be [like] a mighty wind?
3Doth God pervert justice? Or doth the Almighty pervert righteousness?
4If thy children have sinned against him, And he hath delivered them into the hand of their transgression;
5If thou wouldest seek diligently unto God, And make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6If thou wert pure and upright: Surely now he would awake for thee, And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase.
8For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, And apply thyself to that which their fathers have searched out:
9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days upon earth are a shadow);
10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart?
11Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water?
12Whilst it is yet in its greenness, [and] not cut down, It withereth before any [other] herb.
13So are the paths of all that forget God; And the hope of the godless man shall perish:
14Whose confidence shall break in sunder, And whose trust is a spider`s web.
15He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: He shall hold fast thereby, but it shall not endure.
16He is green before the sun, And his shoots go forth over his garden.
17His roots are wrapped about the [stone] -heap, He beholdeth the place of stones.
18If he be destroyed from his place, Then it shall deny him, [saying], I have not seen thee.
19Behold, this is the joy of his way; And out of the earth shall others spring.
20Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers.
21He will yet fill thy mouth with laughter, And thy lips with shouting.
22They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; And the tent of the wicked shall be no more.
← Job 7Job 9 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said.] This was the second of Job’s friends that came to visit him, (<180211>Job 2:11); and is mentioned next to Eliphaz there, and takes his turn in this controversy in the same side; which no doubt was agreed upon among themselves, as well as the part each should bear, and the general sentiment they should pursue, which was the same in them all. Some have observed, that Job’s friends were like the messengers that brought him the tidings of his losses, before one had done speaking another came; and so as soon as one of his friends had delivered his discourse, and before Job…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE ADDRESS OF BILDAD. (Job 8:1-22) like a . . . wind?--disregarding restraints, and daring against God.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Then answered Bildad the Shuhite - ; see the notes at Job 2:11. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Strong wind - Boisterous and violent. Job 8:3”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“8:1 Like Eliphaz, Bildad the Shuhite (see study note on 2:11) believed that Job’s sufferings were God’s retribution (8:3-6, 13; cp. 4:7-8; 5:2-3). This counselor revered the wisdom of the past (8:8-10; cp. 4:7) and addressed Job with a mixture of instruction (8:3-6, 8-10; cp. 4:12-21; 5:9-16) and encouragement (8:5-7, 20-22; cp. 4:6; 5:19-26). His point was that Job should quit blustering. He advised Job to repent and allow God’s justice to bring about restoration (8:1-7).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Bildad: Job 2:11 Job 8:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“1 Then began Bildad the Shuhite, and said: 2 How long wilt thou utter such things, And the words of thy mouth are a boisterous wind? 3 Will God reverse what is right, Or the Almighty reverse what is just? 4 When thy children sinned against Him, He gave them over to the hand of their wickedness. Bildad (Note: Nothing can be said respecting the signification of the name בּלדּד even as a probable meaning, unless perhaps = בל־דד, sine mammis, i.e., brought up without his mother's milk.) begins harshly and self-confidently with quousque tandem, עד־אן instead of the usual עד־אנה. אלּה, not: this, but: of this kind, of…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Job overviewCompare translationsOpen this chapter in the study reader

Sources and verification