Job Chapter 18

From The Open Bible Project

18:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

18:2 "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

  • (a) Who count yourselves just as (Job 12:4).
  • (b) Whom you take to be only beasts, as in (Job 12:7).

18:3 Why are we counted as animals, which have become unclean in your sight?

18:4 You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?

  • (c) That is, like a madman.
  • (d) Shall God change the order of nature for your sake, by dealing with you otherwise than he does with all man?

18:5 "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, The spark of his fire shall not shine.

  • (e) When the wicked is in his prosperity, then God changes his state: and this is his ordinary working for their sins.

18:6 The light shall be dark in his tent. His lamp above him shall be put out.

18:7 The steps of his strength shall be shortened. His own counsel shall cast him down.

18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he wanders into its mesh.

  • (f) Meaning, that the wicked are in continual danger.

18:9 A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.

18:10 A noose is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the way.

18:11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall chase him at his heels.

18:12 His strength shall be famished. Calamity shall be ready at his side.

  • (g) That which should nourish him will be consumed by famine.

18:13 The members of his body shall be devoured. The firstborn of death shall devour his members.

  • (h) That is, some strong and violent death will consume his strength: or as the Hebrew word signifies his members or parts.

18:14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusts. He shall be brought to the king of terrors.

  • (i) That is, with great fear.

18:15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Sulfur shall be scattered on his habitation.

  • (l) Though all the world would favour him, yet God would destroy him and his.

18:16 His roots shall be dried up beneath. Above shall his branch be cut off.

18:17 His memory shall perish from the earth. He shall have no name in the street.

18:18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

  • (m) He will fall from prosperity to adversity.

18:19 He shall have neither son nor grandson among his people, nor any remaining where he sojourned.

18:20 Those who come after shall be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.

  • (n) When they will see what came to him.

18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who doesn't know God."