Job 8:10

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 8:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart?
Job 8:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Shall not they teach thee, [and] tell thee, etc.] That is, the men of the former age, and their fathers before them, Job is directed to inquire of, and to prepare for a search into their records and traditions; from whom he might reasonably expect to be taught and told things that would be very instructive and useful to him in his present circumstances: and utter words out of their heart? such as were the effect of mature judgment and long observation, and which they had laid up in their hearts, and brought out from their treasure there; and, with the greatest faithfulness and sincerity, had either committed them to writing, or delivered them in a traditionary way to their posterity, to be…”
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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
“teach thee-- Job 6:24 had said, "Teach me." Bildad, therefore, says, "Since you want teaching, inquire of the fathers. They will teach thee." utter words--more than mere speaking; "put forth well-considered words." out of their heart--from observation and reflection; not merely, from their mouth: such, as Bildad insinuates, were Job's words. Job 8:11-13 embody in poetic and sententious form (probably the fragment of an old poem) the observation of the elders. The double point of comparison between the ungodly and the paper-reed is: 1. the luxuriant prosperity at first; and, 2. the sudden destruction.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shall not they teach thee - The results of human conduct, and the great principles on which God governs the world. And utter words out of their heart - Dr. Good renders this, “And well forth the sayings of their wisdom,” And supposes it means that the words of wisdom would proceed from them as water bubbles from a fountain. But this, I think, is a mere conceit. The true sense is, that they would not speak that merely which comes from the mouth, or that which comes upper most, and without reflection - as the Greeks say, λέγειν πᾶν ὅ τι ἐπὶ στόμα ἔλθῃ legein pan ho ti epi stoma elthē; or, as the Latins, Quicquid in buccam venerit loqui - to speak whatever comes in the mouth; but…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Utter - Not partially, but sincerely, speaking their inward thoughts; not rashly, but from deep consideration; not by hearsay, but their own knowledge. Job 8:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Shall not: Job 12:7, Job 12:8, Job 32:7; Deu 6:7, Deu 11:19; Psa 145:4; Heb 11:4, Heb 12:1 utter words: Pro 16:23, Pro 18:15; Mat 12:35 Job 8:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification