Job 18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 18

In this chapter Bildad makes a second assault upon Job. In his first discourse (Job 8:1-22) he had given him encouragement to hope that all should yet be well with him. But here there is not a word of that; he has grown more peevish, and is so far from being convinced by Job's reasonings that he is but more exasperated. I. He sharply reproves Job as haughty and passionate, and obstinate in his opinion, Job 18:1-4. II. He enlarges upon the doctrine he had before maintained, concerning the miser... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 18:1-4

Bildad here shoots his arrows, even bitter words, against poor Job, little thinking that, though he was a wise and good man, in this instance he was serving Satan's design in adding to Job's affliction. I. He charges him with idle endless talk, as Eliphaz had done (Job 15:2, 3): How long will it be ere you make an end of words? Job 18:2. Here he reflects, not only upon Job himself, but either upon all the managers of the conference (thinking perhaps that Eliphaz and Zophar did not speak so... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 18:5-10

The rest of Bildad's discourse is entirely taken up in an elegant description of the miserable condition of a wicked man, in which there is a great deal of certain truth, and which will be of excellent use if duly considered?that a sinful condition is a sad condition, and that iniquity will be men's ruin if they do not repent of it. But it is not true that all wicked people are visibly and openly made thus miserable in this world; nor is it true that all who are brought into great distress and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 18:11-21

Bildad here describes the destruction itself which wicked people are reserved for in the other world, and which, in some degree, often seizes them in this world. Come, and see what a miserable condition the sinner is in when his day comes to fall. I. See him disheartened and weakened by continual terrors arising from the sense of his own guilt and the dread of God's wrath (Job 18:11, 12): Terror shall make him afraid on every side. The terrors of his own conscience shall haunt him, so that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 18

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 18 In this chapter is Bildad's second reply to Job, in which he falls with great fury upon him, very sharply inveighs against him, and very highly charges him; the charges he brings against him are talkativeness and inattention to what was said to him, Job 18:1 ; contempt of his friends, impatience under his affliction, and pride and arrogance, as if the whole world, the course of nature and providence, and God himself all must give way to him, Job 18:3 ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 18:1

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 18:2

How long will it be ere ye make an end of words ?.... Because these words are expressed the plural number, some think more persons than one are addressed, either Eliphaz and Job together, who are complained of as taking up all the time, and having all the talk to themselves, that another could scarce put in a word; Bildad could say this with a better grace, because his discourses were but short; or else all his friends, whom he blames for not stopping Job's mouth at once, and for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 18:3

Wherefore are we counted as beasts ,.... This seems to refer to Job 12:7 ; where Job sends them to the beasts, to get knowledge and instruction; and therefore it was concluded he reckoned them as such, and put them on a level with them, yea, made them inferior to them; or to Job 17:4 ; where they are represented as destitute of wisdom and understanding, and therefore it is supposed were counted by Job no other than as beasts. Man, by the fall, is indeed become like them, and some are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 18:4

He teareth himself in his anger ,.... Or "his soul" F12 נפשו "animam suam", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; , meaning Job, and referring to what he had said in Job 16:9 ; Now, says Bildad, it is neither God nor man that tears you, it is you yourself; representing Job as a madman, rending his clothes, tearing his flesh, and even his very soul; for by his passion which he expressed, whether to God or his friends, it did himself the most hurt, he broke his peace, and spoiled his comfort,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 18:5

Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out ,.... Or "nevertheless" F13 גם "attamen, nihilominus", Cocceius, Schultens; so the Targum. ; notwithstanding all this disregard and inattention to us, and contempt of us, and all the rage, and wrath, and pride, and haughtiness discovered, as if the laws of nature, and stated methods of Providence, must all give way to justify a man in such circumstances as show him to be wicked; this will certainly be his case, his "light shall be put... read more

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