Job 8:5

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 8:5

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes ,.... Here Bildad seems to think more mildly, and speak more kindly to Job, that though he had sinned, yet not in so gross a manner as his children, since he was spared, and they were not; and therefore if he would apply himself to God, and supplicate his grace and mercy, and live a godly life, it might yet be well with him, and he be restored to his former or to better circumstances; his sense is, that he would advise him, as Eliphaz had done before, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 8:5

If thou wouldest seek unto God - Though God has so severely afflicted thee, and removed thy children by a terrible judgment; yet if thou wilt now humble thyself before him, and implore his mercy, thou shalt be saved. He cut them off in their sins, but he spares thee; and this is a proof that he waits to be gracious to thee. 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 8:5

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes . Here we have again an echo of the words of Eliphaz ( Job 5:8 ). There is a tacit assumption that Job has not had recourse to God, has not pleaded his cause with him or taken him into counsel; whereas all the evidence was the other way. Both when the first batch of calamities was reported to him ( Job 1:14-19 ), and when the stroke of disease came ( Job 2:10 ), Job cast his care on God, fell back on him, submitted himself to him unreservedly.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 8:5-6

The picture of a good man's home. I. A PRAYING HOME . Where by both parents and children private and family devotion is observed. II. A PIOUS HOME . Where such devotion is the outcome and expression of inward spiritual life. III. A PEACEFUL HOME . Where the inmates enjoy the blessed calm of forgiveness, and dwell in love towards one another. IV. A PROTECTED HOME . Where the eye of God continually rests upon the habitation and all who dwell therein. V. A ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 8:5

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes - If thou wouldest do it now. If even on the supposition that your sons have thus perished, and that God has come out in judgment against your family, you would look to God, you might be restored to favor. The word rendered “seek betimes” (שׁחר shâchar) means literally to seek in the morning, to seek early; and then, to make it the first business. It is derived from the word meaning aurora (שׁחר shachar) and has reference to the early light of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 8:5

Job 8:5. If thou wouldest seek unto God, &c. God hath spared thee, whom he might justly have destroyed with thy children, and thou art yet capable of obtaining his favour if thou wilt seek it. And, therefore, cease from thy causeless and unthankful complaints. Seek unto God betimes Hebrew, אם תשׁחר , im teshacher, if thou wouldst rise early to seek him; if thou wouldst seek him speedily, early, and diligently, Job 5:8; and Job 7:18-21. And make thy supplication to the Almighty ... read more

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