“How long until you end these speeches? Show some sense, and then we can talk.
Parallel translations
- WEB “How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
- KJV How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
- NKJV “How long till you put an end to words? Gain understanding, and afterward we will speak.
- NASB “How long will you hunt for words? Show understanding, and then we can talk.
- NLT “How long before you stop talking? Speak sense if you want us to answer!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Bildad rebukes Job for endless words and tells him to think before they speak. He demands reasonableness from Job.
Overview
Bildad opens with irritation, asking how long Job will hunt for words and urging him to be sensible so dialogue can proceed. His impatience reveals more concern for winning the argument than comforting the sufferer. The verse illustrates how debate can crowd out compassion, a danger for all who would counsel the hurting.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Job 13:5–6If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
- Prov 18:13He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
- Job 11:2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
- Job 8:2“How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
- Job 3:17There the wicked cease from raging, and there the weary find rest.
- Jas 1:19My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Job 3:5–6May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it; may the blackness of the day overwhelm it.
- Job 16:2–3“I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all.
- Job 33:1“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
- Job 21:2“Listen carefully to my words; let this be your consolation to me.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 18:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.