Job 8:10 - Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

Generated Verse: Job 8:10

What does "Job 8:10" mean?


Job 8:10, in the context of the larger passage, is part of Bildad's argument to Job. He's essentially saying: "Shouldn't you learn from the wisdom of past generations, those who have lived and observed? They, from the depth of their experience and understanding (out of their heart), can teach you valuable lessons about God's justice and the consequences of wickedness."

Let's break it down:

"Shall they not teach you...": This is a rhetorical question implying the answer is "yes." Bildad expects Job to learn from elders.
"...tell you...": Similar to "teach," this emphasizes the passing down of knowledge and tradition.
"...and utter words out of their heart?": This is key. "Out of their heart" doesn't just mean reciting memorized phrases. It suggests that the wisdom these elders impart comes from genuine experience, deep reflection, and sincere conviction. They aren't just repeating dogma, but sharing insights born from a lifetime of observing God's ways.

In essence, Bildad is advising Job to seek wisdom from the older generation, who have learned through observation and experience the principles of God's justice.

The implication within Bildad's argument is that Job's suffering is a consequence of his own wickedness. Bildad, like the other friends, believes in a straightforward cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering. He suggests that if Job would only listen to the wisdom of the elders, he would understand the reasons for his misfortunes and repent.

Important Note: While the verse itself speaks of the value of learning from elders and their heartfelt wisdom, the context of the book of Job challenges the simplistic theology that Bildad is promoting. Job, despite his suffering, maintains his innocence and argues against the idea that suffering is always a direct result of sin. Therefore, the verse, while seemingly positive on its own, is part of a flawed argument.

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