Job 8:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 8:1-7

Here, I. Bildad reproves Job for what he had said (Job 8:2), checks his passion, but perhaps (as is too common) with greater passion. We thought Job spoke a great deal of good sense and much to the purpose, and that he had reason and right on his side; but Bildad, like an eager angry disputant, turns it all off with this, How long wilt thou speak these things? taking it for granted that Eliphaz had said enough to silence him, and that therefore all he said was impertinent. Thus (as Caryl... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 8:7

Though thy beginning was small ,.... When, he first set out in the world; and which though it greatly increased, and he was the greatest man in all the east, yet Bildad suggests, should he behave well, that was comparatively small to what it would be with him hereafter; and which was fact, for he had double of what he before enjoyed; so Mr. Broughton renders the words, "and thy former state should be little to thy latter": or rather the sense and meaning is, "though thy beginning should be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 8:7

Though thy beginning was small - Thy former state, compared to that into which God would have brought thee, would be small; for to show his respect for thy piety, because thou hadst, through thy faithful attachment to him, suffered the loss of all things, he would have greatly multiplied thy former prosperity, so that thou shouldest now have vastly more than thou didst ever before possess. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 8:1-7

Bildad to Job: 1. A bundle of mistakes. I. UNJUSTIFIABLE REBUKE . "Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said." Even if on Job's part wholly deserved the admonition of Bildad was in itself worthy of censure, as being: 1 . Impatient. "How long wilt thou speak these things?" It is due to every man who speaks in his defence, as Job did, to hear him patiently ( Acts 26:3 ); much more if he speaks in affliction. Nay, patience towards all men is an eminent token of sincere religion ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 8:1-7

The Divine justice. The words of Bildad, as of Job's other friends, are often marked by great beauty, and often embody principles of the highest practical value;, but they frequently err in their application. The judgment of the friends upon Job is based upon an error which the entire course of the book is designed to expose. Here a true principle is enunciated respecting the Divine justice; which is shown to manifest itself— I. IS A STRICT INTEGRITY . (Verse 3.) "Doth God pervert... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 8:1-22

Shall not the Judge of all … do right? The supposed attack of Job , by implication, upon the justice of God gives an opening for renewed admonitions and rebukes on the part of his friends. Bildad now comes forward and delivers a discourse full of noble faith, however its principles may be in this case misapplied. Rebuking the grievous complaints of Job as a wind, full of noise and emptiness (verse 2), he proceeds— I. TO INSIST ON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD . This is an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 8:7

Though thy beginning was small ; rather, were small . Bildad does not refer to the past, but to the present. Though, if God were now to set to work to prosper Job, his beginning would be slender indeed, yet what the outcome might be none could know. God might prosper him greatly. Yet thy latter end should greatly increase . Here, once mere, Bildad does but follow in the steps of Eliphaz (see Job 5:18-26 ), prophesying smooth things, as be had done. It is difficult to believe that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 8:7

A small beginning a great increase. With irritating admonitions—most galling in the cruel insinuation that Job's children had died on account of their sins—Bildad presumes to assure Job that if only he is pure God will be just, and will awake to deliver him, so that, though he has a small beginning, his end shall be very great. This was all based on a very false and unjust idea of Job, his past conduct, and his present duty. Nevertheless in itself it opened up a true view of the course of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 8:7

Though thy beginning was small - On the supposition that the children of Job had been cut off, his family now was small. Yet Bildad says, that if he were to begin life again, even with so small a family, and in such depressed and trying circumstances, if he were a righteous man he might hope for returning prosperity.Yet thy latter end - From this, it is evident that Job was not now regarded as an old man. He would still have the prospect of living many years. Some have supposed, however that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 8:7

Job 8:7. Though thy beginning was small The sense is either, 1st, Though thou hadst possessed but very little at first, yet God would have wonderfully blessed and increased thy estate: whereas, now he hath brought thee down from a great estate almost to nothing; which is an evidence of his displeasure and of thy hypocrisy. Or, 2d, Though what thou hast left be now very little, yet if thou repent and seek God it shall vastly increase. read more

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