Bible Commentaries
Job 18

Verses 1-21

CHAPTER 18 Bildad’s Second Address

1. New reproaches (Job 18:1-4 )

2. Once again, the wicked and what they deserve (Job 18:5-21 )

Job 18:1-4 . Bildad has the good sense in this second oration to be very brief. He, like Eliphaz, pays his compliments to Job and reproaches him. How long are you going to speak yet any way! You, you tell us that we are like the beasts, stupid and ignorant! Keep on with your nonsense, you but tear yourself in your anger, it is all unavailing and changes not things for thee. This is the meaning of his rebuke.

Job 18:5-21 . Then the favored theme, the wicked and what is in store for them. Apart from the falsity of the application of all Bildad says to Job, his words are certainly true and very poetic. Thus he speaks of the wicked and his fate:

Terrors make him afraid on every side,

And chase him at his footsteps.

Through pangs of hunger his strength declines,

Calamity ever stands ready at his side,

The members of his body to consume,

Yea, death’s firstborn his members shall destroy.

His confidence be rooted out of his tent,

It shall lead him away to the king of terrors.

They that are none of his shall dwell in his tent,

And upon it brimstone shall descend.

All his words, though true, were consummated cruelty. It must have been torture and agony unspeakable for suffering Job to hear himself thus portrayed as the wicked man, whose lot is well deserved.