1.
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2.
How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
How long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
words = sayings.
wind. Hebrew. ruach App-9 .
3.
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
Doth . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
GOD. Hebrew. El. App-4 .
THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew. Shaddai. App-4 .
4.
If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
children = sons.
for = by the hand of; by their own act.
transgression = rebellion. Hebrew. pash'a. App-44 .
5.
If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6.
If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
awake for thee: i.e. hear thy prayer. Compare Septuagint and Psalms 7:6 ; Psalms 35:23 ; Psalms 44:23 .
habitation of thy righteousness = thy righteous home. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Noun). App-6 .
7.
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
8.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9.
(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10.
Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Shall. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
and. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read this "and" in the text.
heart. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ), by adding the words "such as these": referring to what follows in verses: Job 8:11-19 (see below).
11.
Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
Can . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . This is the first simile. See the second, verses: Job 8:16-19 .
12.
Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13.
So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
So are, &c. The application of the first simile.
the paths. The Septuagint reads "the latter end".
14.
Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
hope = confidence.
15.
He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
16.
He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
He. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "He [like a tree]". This is the second simile, and the application is in Job 8:20 . The first simile is in Job 8:11 , with its application in verses: Job 8:13-15 .
17.
His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
the heap = a spring, or fountain, as in Song of Solomon 4:12 . Hebrew. gal. Plural in Joshua 15:19 , &c.
seeth = overlooks: i.e. overtops.
place = house.
18.
If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
him . . . it. See translation, below: "him" and "it" refer to the tree.
19.
Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.
is. Supply "ends" instead of "is".
20.
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
help = take by the hand.
21.
Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
rejoicings = shouting for joy.
22.
They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.
clothed with shame. Compare Psalms 35:26 ; Psalms 109:29 ; Psalms 132:18 .
dwelling place = tent.
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .