Job 18:1-19:29

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 18:1

Then answered Bildad - The following analysis of this speech, by Mr. Heath, is judicious: "Bildad, irritated to the last degree that Job should treat their advice with so much contempt, is no longer able to keep his passions within the bounds of decency. He proceeds to downright abuse; and finding little attention given by Job to his arguments, he tries to terrify him into a compliance. To that end he draws a yet more terrible picture of the final end of wicked men than any yet preceding,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 18:1-2

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? (So Rosenmuller, Gesenius, Welte, Merx, Lee, and Canon Cook.) Others render, "How long will ye lay snares for words?" which is a possible translation, but does not give a very good sense. Bildad, a tolerably concise speaker himself (see Job 8:2-22 ; Job 25:2-6 ), is impatient at the length of Job's replies. He had already, in his former speech ( Job 8:2 ), reproached Job with his prolixity;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 18:1-21

Bildad's second speech is no improvement upon his first ( Job 8:1-22 .). He has evidently been exceedingly nettled by Job's contemptuous words concerning his "comforters" ( Job 16:2 , Job 16:11 ; Job 17:10 ); and aims at nothing but venting his anger, and terrifying Job by a series of denunciations and threats. Job has become to him "the wicked man" (verses 5, 21), an embodiment of all that is evil, and one "that knoweth not God." No punishment is too severe for him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 18:1-21

Bildad to Job: an Arabian orator's discourse. I. THE FAULTY INTRODUCTION . Bildad possessed at least three qualifications indispensable to successful speaking—fervid imagination, glowing eloquence, and vehement passion. He was characterized also by three fatal defects—want of calmness, or self-containment, want of prudence, and want of sympathetic tenderness. Being destitute of these, he blundered like an inexperienced amateur, starting out on his oration in a hurricane of passion and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 18:1-21

Renewed rebukes and warnings. Bildad again replies, mentioning that the passionate outbreaks of Job are useless. He holds fast to his original principle, that, according to the Law of God, the hardened sinner will suddenly meet his doom. And some secret sin, he persists, must be the cause of the present suffering. I. INTRODUCTION : DENUNCIATION OF JOB AS A FOOLISH AND VIOLENT SPEAKER . (Verses 1-4.) He is one who "hunts after words." Let him be truly sensible and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 18:1

Job 18:1. Then answered Bildad the Shuhite Bildad, irritated to the last degree that Job should treat their advice with so much contempt, is no longer able to keep his passions within the bounds of decency, He proceeds to downright abuse; and, finding little attention given by Job to his arguments, he tries to terrify him into a compliance. To that end he draws a yet more terrible picture of the final end of a wicked man than any preceding; throwing in all the circumstances of Job’s... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 18:1-21

Bildad speaks (18:1-21)In an angry outburst, Bildad accuses Job of not answering their arguments directly and of looking for arguments on other matters instead. Job speaks to them as if they were stupid cattle, and speaks to God as if the Creator should change the world to suit Job (18:1-4).Then, with inexcusable heartlessness (in view of the recent calamities in Job’s household), Bildad further describes the punishment that justly falls on the wicked. In his house sorrow will replace happiness... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 18:1

answered. See note on Job 4:1 . Bildad. See note on Job 2:11 . read more

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