Job18
English Standard Version
1Then the and :
2How will you ? , we will .
3 are we as ? Why are we in your ?
4You who in your , shall the be for you, or the be of its ?
5 , the of the is , and the of his does .
6The is in his , and his him is .
7His are , and his own throw him .
8 he is into a by his own , and he its .
9A him by the ; a lays of him.
10A is for him in the , a for him in the .
11 him on every , and him at his .
12His is , and is for his .
13It the of his ; the of his .
14 is the in which he and is to the of .
15In his that which is of his; is his .
16His , and his .
17His the , and he has the .
18He is into , and of the .
19He has among his , and where he used to .
20They the are at his , and them of the .
21 are the of the , is the of him who .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 18.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Bildad reproves Job. (1–4). Ruin attends the wicked. (5–10). The ruin of the wicked. (11–21).
vv1-4
Bildad had before given Job good advice and encouragement; here he used nothing but rebukes, and declared his ruin. And he concluded that Job shut out the providence of God from the management of human affairs, because he would not admit himself to be wicked.
vv5-10
Bildad describes the miserable condition of a wicked man; in which there is much certain truth, if we consider that a sinful condition is a sad condition, and that sin will be men's ruin, if they do not repent. Though Bildad thought the application of it to Job was easy, yet it was not safe nor just. It is common for angry disputants to rank their opponents among God's enemies, and to draw wrong conclusions from important truths. The destruction of the wicked is foretold. That destruction is represented under the similitude of a beast or bird caught in a snare, or a malefactor taken into custody. Satan, as he was a murderer, so he was a robber, from the beginning. He, the tempter, lays snares for sinners wherever they go. If he makes them sinful like himself, he will make them miserable like himself. Satan hunts for the precious life. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare for himself, and God is preparing for his destruction. See here how the sinner runs himself into the snare.
vv11-21
Bildad describes the destruction wicked people are kept for, in the other world, and which in some degree, often seizes them in this world. The way of sin is the way of fear, and leads to everlasting confusion, of which the present terrors of an impure conscience are earnests, as in Cain and Judas. Miserable indeed is a wicked man's death, how secure soever his life was. See him dying; all that he trusts to for his support shall be taken from him. How happy are the saints, and how indebted to the lord Jesus, by whom death is so far done away and changed, that this king of terrors is become a friend and a servant! See the wicked man's family sunk and cut off. His children shall perish, either with him or after him. Those who consult the true honour of their family, and its welfare, will be afraid of withering all by sin. The judgments of God follow the wicked man after death in this world, as a proof of the misery his soul is in after death, and as an earnest of that everlasting shame and contempt to which he shall rise in the great day. The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot, Pr 10:7. It would be well if this report of wicked men would cause any to flee from the wrath to come, from which their power, policy, and riches cannot deliver them. But Jesus ever liveth to deliver all who trust in him. Bear up then, suffering believers. Ye shall for a little time have sorrow, but your Beloved, your Saviour, will see you again; your hearts shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh away.
Key Words
בִּלְדַּד: Bildad, one of Job's friends
שׁוּחִי: a Shuchite or descendant of Shuach
עָנָה: properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
מִלָּה: a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
בִּין: to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מַדּוּעַ: what (is) known?; i.e. (by implication) (adverbially) why?
חָשַׁב: properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute
Cross References
Job 18The Lord lighting a lamp contrasts with the wicked man's candle being permanently put out.
Supported by JFB
Sparing or straitening of steps represents a loss of health, freedom, and success under judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Bildad sarcastically echoes Job's earlier lament about the rock being removed from its place.
Supported by JFB
The phrase 'firstborn of death' denotes the chiefest, most deadly disease or plague.
Supported by JFB
Brimstone scattered on the habitation alludes to the historic, catastrophic judgment of Sodom.
Supported by JFB
The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Bildad objects to being treated like ignorant beasts, recalling Job's earlier challenge to ask the beasts.
Supported by JFB
The wicked are ruined and cast down by their own crafty counsels and devices.
Supported by JFB
The imagery of the wicked being caught in the net and pitfall they laid for others.
Supported by JFB
Brimstone and salt scattered on land signifies absolute covenantal desolation and curse.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Terrors on every side personify the terrifying state of 'Magor-missabib' under divine judgment.
Supported by JFB
Bildad's harsh insinuation that Job's children were cut off because of wickedness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The complete eradication of the wicked man's lineage, leaving neither son nor grandson.
Supported by JFB
Onlookers from east and west are astonished and ask why God brought such ruin.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A dreadful sound and constant terrors of conscience haunt the wicked man.
Supported by Matthew Henry