Job 18

1 Then [next, afterwards] Bildad [one of Job’s friends, meaning confusion] the Shuhite [a descendant of Shuach, from the tribe of Shuach] replied [answered, spoke up, and said] [to dwell, to respond, or to make music]: word study 2 “How long until [until what point in time] you end [make an end of, stop] these speeches [words, conversations, talks]? Show [demonstrate, exhibit] some sense [understanding, discernment], and then [afterwards, later] we can talk [speak, communicate, converse]. word study 3 Why [for what reason, on what account] are we regarded [counted, esteemed] as cattle [beasts, animals], as stupid [vile, unclean] in your sight [before your eyes, in your estimation]? word study 4 You who tear [destroy, wound] yourself in anger [fury, intense emotion]— should the earth [land, ground] be forsaken [abandoned, relinquished] on your account [because of you, for your sake], or the rocks [boulders, stones] be moved [removed, displaced] from their place [position, location]? word study 5 Indeed, the lamp [light] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] is extinguished [put out, quenched]; the flame [spark, fiery tongue] of his fire [divine judgment, refining presence] does not glow [shine, radiate light]. word study 6 The [divine, spiritual] light in his [temporary, earthly] tent [tabernacle, dwelling place] grows [becomes, is] dark [dim, extinguished], and the [guiding, spiritual] lamp [source of illumination] beside [near, upon] him [in his presence] goes [is put, is extinguished] out [to be dark, without light]. word study 7 His vigorous [strong, powerful] stride [steps of his strength, pace of life] is shortened [straitened, restricted], and his own [personal, self-devised] schemes [counsel, advice, plan] trip [cast, throw] him up [down, headlong]. word study 8 For [because of, due to] his own feet [by his own actions, through his steps] lead him into a net [a snare, a trap], and he wanders [walks, goes] into its mesh [latticework, a network of cords]. word study 9 A trap seizes [seizing him by surprise] his heel [the back of his foot, his footsteps]; a snare [a thin, flat piece of metal, a net] grips him [to grasp, take hold of, as with a gin]. word study 10 A noose [hidden cord, snare] is hidden [concealed, laid secretly] in the ground [earth, land], and a trap [snare, cord] lies [is set, stretched] in his path [way, road]. word study 11 Terrors [fears, dreadful events] frighten him on every side [around, surrounding him] and harass [chase, drive] his every step [at his feet, pursuing him]. word study 12 His strength [physical power, ability] is depleted [hungerbitten, wasted with famine], and calamity [disaster, oppression, misfortune] is ready [established, set up] at his side [rib, flank]. word study 13 It devours [consumes, eats away] patches [parts, sections] of his skin [human skin, outer covering]; the firstborn [oldest, most prominent] of death [end of life, mortality] devours [destroys, consumes] his limbs [body parts, members]. word study 14 He is torn [drawn, pulled, rooted out] from the shelter [security, confidence, refuge] of his tent [tabernacle, dwelling place] and is marched [brought, stepped, led] off to the king [ruler, sovereign] of terrors [fears, dread, alarm]. word study 15 Fire [burning judgment, divine wrath] resides [to dwell, stay] in his tent [tabernacle, nomad’s home]; burning sulfur [brimstone, cypress-resin] rains down [to scatter, pour down] on his dwelling [habitation, pasture, home]. word study 16 The roots [underground part of a plant, foundation] beneath him dry up [to wither, become ashamed], and the branches [limbs, shoots] above him [in a higher position, over] wither away [languish, become clipped]. word study 17 The memory [remembrance, memorial] of him perishes [is destroyed, lost] from the earth [land, territory], and he has no [not, none] name [reputation, identity] in the land [street, outside]. word study 18 He is driven [thrust away, expelled] from light [natural and spiritual illumination] into darkness [physical and spiritual gloom, misery] and is chased [forced to wander, expelled] from the inhabited world [the earth and its inhabitants, the global community]. word study 19 He has no [descendants, offspring, or posterity] offspring or posterity among his people [nation, or family], no survivor [or one remaining] where he once lived [sojourned, or dwelled]. word study 20 Those in the west [last, western regions] are appalled [shocked, astonished] at his fate [day, circumstances], while those in the east [eastern, ancient ones] tremble [are overcome with fear, affrighted] in horror [shuddering, terror]. word study 21 Surely [certainly, without a doubt] such is the dwelling [tabernacle, place of residence] of the wicked [unjust, morally evil] and the place [location, condition] of one who does not know [is ignorant of, has not learned about] God [the supreme Creator, Elohim].” word study