Job 8 8

Job 8:8 kjv

For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

Job 8:8 nkjv

"For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers;

Job 8:8 niv

"Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned,

Job 8:8 esv

"For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out.

Job 8:8 nlt

"Just ask the previous generation.
Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.

Job 8 verses

Job 8 8 Meaning

Job 8:8 is part of Bildad's first speech, where he asserts the principle of retribution theology, stating that God always punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. Here, he urges Job to consult the wisdom of previous generations and the established knowledge passed down by their ancestors. Bildad suggests that this long-standing tradition holds the key to understanding divine justice and that by examining it, Job would find confirmation of his friends' simplistic view—namely, that Job's suffering must be due to his sin, as God would never cause righteous suffering.

Job 8 8 Context

Job chapter 8 features the first speech of Bildad the Shuhite, one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him. Following Eliphaz's speech in chapters 4-5, Bildad reiterates and reinforces the traditional wisdom doctrine of divine retribution. He operates from the premise that God is absolutely just and would never allow a truly innocent person to suffer intensely. Therefore, Job's immense suffering, in Bildad's view, can only be explained by Job's great sin. In Job 8:8, Bildad admonishes Job to consult the wisdom of the past, specifically the "bygone ages" and the "things searched out by their fathers," as he believes that ancient traditions confirm this straightforward, cause-and-effect relationship between piety and prosperity, and sin and suffering. This appeals to the revered authority of tradition in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where ancestral wisdom was highly regarded and passed down orally and through established practices, forming the bedrock of societal understanding of justice and morality. The irony of the book of Job, however, is that while Bildad accurately reflects prevalent human wisdom, the divine narrative reveals its profound limitations in understanding God's complex sovereignty and the true nature of Job's ordeal.

Job 8 8 Word analysis

• For (כִּֽי- Ki): A causal conjunction, meaning "for," "because," or "indeed." It introduces Bildad's reasoning, suggesting that what follows is a foundational premise supporting his argument for Job.
• inquire (שְֽׁאַל־נָא - sh'al-na): Derived from שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning "to ask," "to inquire," "to consult," "to request." The suffix נָא (na) is an emphatic particle, often rendered as "please" or "I pray," making it an earnest plea or strong admonition. It implies not just a casual question but a serious investigation or consultation, like seeking counsel from an authority.
• please: (נָא - na) as described above, intensifies the command to inquire, showing earnestness.
• of bygone (לְד֣וֹר - l'dor): "To a generation," or "of a generation." The word דּוֹר (dor) means "generation," "age," "period of time." Here, it points to past, remote times, encompassing the collective wisdom and experience accumulated over centuries. It refers to a distinct period of people in the past, hence "bygone ages."
• ages: Refers to the duration of the "bygone" generation(s), emphasizing the long sweep of time from which this wisdom is drawn.
• and (וְֽ - v'): A simple conjunctive "and," connecting the two actions of inquiring and considering.
• consider (וְכוֹנֵן֮ - v'konen): From כּוּן (kun), meaning "to be firm," "to be established," "to prepare," "to direct," "to consider," "to establish one's way." Here, it suggests deep, serious consideration and assimilation of knowledge, to firmly establish it in one's understanding. It implies making one's judgment aligned with that past wisdom.
• the things searched out (וְחֵקֶר֮ - v'cheqer): From חֵקֶר (cheqer), meaning "searching," "investigation," "scrutiny," "deep inquiry," "recollection." It refers to that which has been deeply investigated, thoroughly explored, and thus is considered well-established and verified knowledge, not merely superficial observation. It emphasizes the foundational, verified nature of the wisdom.
• by their (אֲבוֹתָ֗ם - avotam): A suffix meaning "their."
• fathers (אֲבוֹתָ֗ם - avotam): From אָב ('av), meaning "father," but often used in the plural (אֲבוֹת, 'avot) to mean "ancestors," "forefathers," "patriarchs." It denotes the lineage or collective group of predecessors who originally accumulated or preserved this knowledge. This highlights the intergenerational transmission of wisdom.

• "For inquire, please, of bygone ages": Bildad directs Job to external authority—the long-standing tradition and collected wisdom of ancient generations. This highlights a common ancient Near Eastern value for tradition and inherited knowledge as a source of truth. It suggests a dogmatic appeal to what is already "known" rather than a humble, direct seeking of God or fresh revelation.
• "and consider the things searched out by their fathers": This phrase further emphasizes that the knowledge to be consulted is not mere folklore but information believed to be rigorously examined and firmly established by respected predecessors. It's about aligning oneself with historical, foundational truths passed down, which Bildad believes confirm his argument. The irony lies in that while these "fathers" searched out certain truths, their human limitations meant they couldn't grasp the full complexity of God's ways, which Job's story subsequently reveals.

Job 8 8 Bonus section

While ancestral wisdom often provides foundational truths, Bildad's reliance on it illustrates the potential pitfall of uncritically applying past frameworks to every present situation, particularly divine actions that defy simple human categorization. The "things searched out by their fathers" often codified practical observations of life, but these observations were always incomplete because they stemmed from a human perspective that could not fully encompass divine mystery, the influence of the spiritual realm (like Satan's role in Job's suffering), or God's purposes for character development and greater glory that transcend immediate rewards or punishments. Bildad represents a theological rigidity that prefers system and dogma over empathy, deep inquiry, and openness to God working in unexpected ways. His statement also shows a deep cultural respect for seniority and established order, yet fails to discern the exceptional nature of Job's situation, revealing the limitations of even highly esteemed human traditions when faced with divine singularity.

Job 8 8 Commentary

Job 8:8 encapsulates Bildad's approach to Job's suffering: an unwavering appeal to inherited, traditional wisdom. He urges Job to look to "bygone ages" and "their fathers" for the answers, believing that ancient, established truths unequivocally support the retribution theology where righteous prosperity and wicked suffering are absolute. This reflects the common theological framework of the ancient Near East, where a direct causal link between conduct and consequence was universally accepted. Bildad's "inquire, please" isn't an invitation for new discovery but a demand for Job to submit to this received wisdom, implicitly accusing Job of deviating from these accepted truths. The irony lies in Bildad's rigid adherence to this system; while human tradition can indeed contain much wisdom, it is ultimately limited and incapable of fully explaining God's sovereign purposes, particularly in complex cases like Job's. The entire Book of Job serves to challenge the simplistic application of this traditional framework, revealing that God's ways are often beyond human "searched out" wisdom and can involve suffering that is not a direct consequence of personal sin. This verse highlights the tension between reliance on established human doctrines and the need for a deeper, more direct encounter with God's multifaceted truth.