Job 8:8

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 8:1-22

In answer to Job, the next of his friends, Bildad, took up the argument. There is greater directness in his speech than in that of Eliphaz. By comparison it lacks in courtesy, but gains in force. He made no reference to Job's attack on his friends, but proceeded to make one statement of the righteousness of God from two standpoints. He first protested against the idea which Job's complaint had seemed to advance, that God's dealings are ever unjust with the righteous (1-7). It would be better... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Job 8:8-19

Job 8:8-Psalms : . The Wisdom of the Ancients.— Bildad recalls Job to tradition as enshrined in the proverbs of the fathers ( Job 8:8). Authority belongs to the voice of the past ( Job 8:9). “ The respect which our age has for books, each of which is collected from a hundred older ones, a non-literary civilisation has for tradition and usage. Bildad is conscious of his limitation, but ascribes the same also to all others, whom, as mediocrity is wont to do, he holds without hesitation as his... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Job 8:8

Of the former age, i.e. of our predecessors, who had the advantage of longer life and more experience, besides more frequent revelations from God, than we have; who also will be more impartial judges of this cause than we may be thought to be. Inform thyself from them by the instructions which they left, either in word or writing, what their opinion was about the manner of God’s dealings with men. Prepare thyself to the search of their fathers; do not slightly, but seriously and industriously,... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Job 8:1-22

BILDAD’S FIRST SPEECHBildad less courteous and considerate of Job’s feelings than even Eliphaz. Commences with an unfeeling reflection on his speech. Pursues the same line of argument and address as his predecessor—(1) God is righteous—punishing the bad, and rewarding those who seek and serve Him; (2) Job exhorted to prove the latter by sincere repentance and prayer; (3) The prosperity of the wicked short-lived, and sure to end in ruin: the end of the righteous certain joy and triumph.I.... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Job 8:8-14

DISCOURSE: 457BILDAD WARNS JOB OF THE DANGER OF HYPOCRISYJob 8:8-14. Inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: (for we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart? Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flay grow without water? Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. So are the... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Job 8:1-22

Chapter 8So Bildad, the next friend, speaks up and he said,How long will you speak these things? how long will your words of your mouth be like a [big, bag of] wind? Does God pervert judgment? or does the Almighty pervert justice? If your children have sinned against him, and he has cast them away for their transgression ( Job 8:2-4 );And okay now, he's getting on my kids. They've sinned and God wiped them out. And now you going to blame God?If you would seek unto God before, and make your... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Job 8:1-22

Job 8:7 . Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should be great. Many great patriarchs, like Jacob, had once but a small beginning. Job 8:11 . Can the rush grow. The LXX read, “the papyrus,” the leaf of which was used as paper among the Egyptians; and the tallipot leaf is used in a similar manner in India. Job 8:15 . He shall lean upon his house. The LXX, “Though he moat his house; i.e. with a ditch or drain, and parapet; yet it shall not stand.” This reading relieves... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Job 8:8

Job 8:8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: Ver. 8. For enquire, I pray thee ] Bildad speaks fairly, as Eliphaz had done, whom he all along imitateth. A bove maiori discit arare minor. Of the former age ] The generations who came before, the Kadmonim, as the Jews called their ancestors, and used this saying concerning them, Cor priscorum fuit sicut porta, &c., the heart of our progenitors was as the gate of the porch of the... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Job 8:8

inquire: Job 12:12, Job 15:10, Job 15:18, Job 32:6, Job 32:7, Deuteronomy 4:32, Deuteronomy 32:7, Psalms 44:1, Psalms 78:3, Psalms 78:4, Isaiah 38:19, Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11 Reciprocal: Genesis 47:9 - have not Job 5:27 - we have searched Job 12:2 - ye are the people Job 13:1 - ear Job 20:4 - thou not Joel 1:2 - ye old Matthew 5:21 - it read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Job 8:8

For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:Search — Seriously and industriously search the ancient records. read more