Open an explanation beneath verses with notes. Your notes and highlights stay on this device.
Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,
Verse 1. Suhite, from Sue, the son of Abraham, who dwelt in the desert Arabia; (Genesis 25:2) though several suppose, without reason, ( Calmet.) that Baldad resided at Sueta, in Cœlosyria. Menochius.—He was the second in age and dignity. Pineda.
“How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
Verse 2. How long. He seems tired with hearing, ( Bible.) and accuses Job of want of moderation, representing him as a hypocrite, ( Calmet.) and an obstinate defender of his own opinion, against the better judgment of Eliphaz; ( Menochius.) though he was in reality only a constant asserter of truth. Worthington.
Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?
Verse 3. Just. He begins with the same principle as Eliphaz, which nobody denied. But he does not reflect, that God may cause even the just to be afflicted, for their trial and improvement.
If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience.
Verse 4. Iniquity, and suffered them to perish. Calmet.
If you want to seek God diligently, make your supplication to the Almighty.
If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.
Verse 6. Peaceable. Justice and peace shall kiss. Bible.—Prosperity will attend the righteous. Calmet.
Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
“Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.
(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)
Verse 9. That. Hebrew “because our days.” Bible.—Baldad strives, in vain, to prove what nobody contested. But he does not come to the point, and shew that Job was guilty. Past histories might have informed him that the just are often persecuted, like Abel, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. Calmet.—It is true, these were afterwards conforted in honour, except the first, who was slain, and better off in the other world. But Job might hope for the same treatment; and no man can be pronounced happy or miserable till his death. After a storm a calm frequently ensues; as Baldad might have seen verified in the person of his friend, if he had waited patiently, and not judged so peremptorily from equivocal arguments. Bible.—We must allow, however, that what he said had been generally true. Houbigant.
Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?
“Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?
Verse 11. Sedge-bush, or flag. Hebrew achu; so called, because from one root many brothers (as it were) spring. Septuagint style it Βουτομον, as it was usually “cut for oxen.” Genesis 41:2. Parkhurst. Bible.—As plants die without suction, so do those who depart from God. Menochius.
While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed.
Verse 12. Herbs, for want of moisture. Calmet.—Sic transit gloria mundi. Bible.—The prophets often compare the prosperity of the wicked to grass, (Psalms 36:2. Jam. 1:10) and Baldad ranks Job with them.
So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man will perish,
whose confidence will break apart, whose trust is a spider’s web.
Verse 14. Him, the hypocrite, or God. Calmet.—Both shall one day condemn the ill use of riches. Bible.
He will lean on his house, but it will not stand. He will cling to it, but it will not endure.
Verse 15. He. The spider, or rather the hypocrite, who will not be able to screen himself, by his possessions, from the wrath of God. Calmet.
He is green before the sun. His shoots go out along his garden.
Verse 16. Seemeth. Hebrew “he is green before the sun” beat upon him.—Rising, ortu, for horto, ( Bible.) as the Hebrew and so forth have “garden,” ( Menochius.) with some Latin editions. He had compared the wicked to a rush without moisture. But the just is like a plant in a fine garden, which is not hurt by the sun beams. It will grow even among stones, ( Calmet.) and may be transplanted without danger, verse 19. Bible.—The whole may be, however, a continuation of the former simile. The rush will presently be scorched, as if it were thrown among stones, and its place will know it no longer, verse 18. Menochius.
His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.
If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have not seen you.’
Behold, this is the joy of his way. Out of the earth, others will spring.
Verse 19. Joy. Septuagint “the catastrophe of the wicked, for another shall spring,” and so forth Bible.
“Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.
He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.
Verse 21. Until. If thou be simple, ( Bible.) or irreproachable, ( Calmet.) God will make thee exult. Bible.—Until, and so forth Menochius.—He will restore thee to thy former state of affluence. Calmet.
Those who hate you will be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked will be no more.”