How long will you go on saying such things?This phrase is spoken by Bildad the Shuhite, one of Job's friends, who responds to Job's lament and questioning of God's justice. Bildad's question implies impatience and a challenge to Job's persistence in his complaints. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, prolonged lamentation and questioning of divine justice were often seen as inappropriate or disrespectful. Bildad's approach reflects a common belief of the time that suffering was a direct result of personal sin, a theme that is explored throughout the Book of Job. This question also echoes the broader biblical theme of human questioning of divine wisdom, seen in other scriptures such as
Isaiah 55:8-9, where God's ways are described as higher than human ways.
The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
Bildad uses the metaphor of a "blustering wind" to describe Job's words, suggesting they are empty, chaotic, and without substance. In the biblical context, wind often symbolizes transience and futility, as seen inEcclesiastes 1:14, where human endeavors are described as "chasing after the wind." This imagery underscores Bildad's belief that Job's arguments are baseless and lack the weight of truth. The use of wind also connects to the broader theme of divine power and control over nature, as seen in the story of Jesus calming the storm inMark 4:39, where the wind obeys His command, highlighting the contrast between human frailty and divine authority.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Bildad the ShuhiteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Bildad is known for his traditional and conservative views, often emphasizing the justice of God and the need for repentance.
2.
JobA wealthy and righteous man who experiences immense suffering. His account is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine justice.
3.
UzThe land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel. It serves as the setting for the events of the Book of Job.
4.
Job's SufferingThe series of calamities that befall Job, including the loss of his children, wealth, and health, which set the stage for the dialogues between Job and his friends.
5.
The DialogueThe conversation between Job and his friends, including Bildad, which explores themes of suffering, justice, and righteousness.
Teaching Points
The Power of WordsWords can either build up or tear down. Bildad's harsh words serve as a reminder to choose our words carefully, especially when addressing those who are suffering.
Understanding Before SpeakingBildad's response to Job shows the importance of understanding someone's situation before offering advice or criticism. We should seek to empathize and listen before speaking.
The Complexity of SufferingBildad's simplistic view of suffering as a direct result of sin challenges us to recognize the complexity of suffering and avoid making quick judgments about others' circumstances.
The Role of Friends in Times of TroubleFriends should offer support and comfort, not just correction. Bildad's approach teaches us to be compassionate and patient with those who are hurting.
The Need for Humility in CounselBildad's confidence in his own understanding serves as a warning to approach others with humility, acknowledging that we may not have all the answers.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 8:2?
2.How can we ensure our words are not "a blustering wind" in discussions?
3.What does Bildad's rebuke in Job 8:2 teach about speaking truthfully?
4.How does Job 8:2 relate to James 1:19 about listening and speaking?
5.In what ways can we apply Job 8:2 to our daily conversations?
6.How can we discern when our words resemble "a blustering wind"?
7.How does Job 8:2 challenge the integrity of Job's faith and his friends' accusations?
8.What does Job 8:2 reveal about the nature of human suffering and divine justice?
9.How does Bildad's speech in Job 8:2 reflect ancient Near Eastern views on retribution?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 8?
11.How can Bildad confidently claim (Job 8:2–4) that Job’s children must have sinned to deserve death, when other passages suggest righteous people can suffer unjustly?
12.Job 9:8 portrays God walking on the sea, yet there is no historical or scientific evidence of such a literal phenomenon--should this be seen as metaphorical?
13.In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering?
14.If Job 19:27 implies a personal, bodily resurrection, does this conflict with other Old Testament notions of the afterlife?What Does Job 8:2 Mean
How long will you go on saying such things?– Bildad opens with a sharp question, challenging Job’s ongoing lament (Job 6:1–3; 7:11).
– The phrase “How long” carries an urgent call to stop what is viewed as faith-less talk, similar to God’s rebuke of Israel’s grumbling inNumbers 14:27 and Samuel’s plea to Saul in1 Samuel 13:11.
– Bildad assumes that if Job truly trusted God’s justice, the complaints would cease;Proverbs 10:19 reminds that “When words are many, sin is unavoidable,” andEcclesiastes 5:2 warns, “Do not be quick to speak… before God.”
– For believers, the line presses us to assess the tone and persistence of our own words when suffering:
• Are we rehearsing pain endlessly instead of bringing it under God’s promises (Psalm 42:5)?
• Are we quick to listen and slow to speak, asJames 1:19 counsels?
• Do we remember that faith talks to God but also trusts Him (Psalm 62:8)?
The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.– Bildad likens Job’s speeches to a stormy gust—loud, forceful, yet empty. Job himself had used a similar image: “Do you… treat as wind my cry of despair?” (Job 6:26).
– In Scripture, wind often pictures what is transient or void of substance (Isaiah 41:29;Hosea 8:7). Bildad accuses Job’s words of lacking weight because they question God’s character.
– The charge invites reflection:
• Speech can either edify or erode faith (Ephesians 4:29).
•Proverbs 15:28 contrasts thoughtful answers with the mouth that “pours out evil.”
• Jesus warns that “for every careless word people speak, they will give an account” (Matthew 12:36).
– Bildad’s critique is harsh, yet it exposes a timeless principle: words rooted in hurt can drift into accusation; words anchored in truth stay steady even in pain.
summaryJob 8:2 captures Bildad’s conviction that Job’s prolonged, bitter words dishonor God and help no one. While Bildad misjudges Job’s heart, the verse still challenges each believer to let suffering drive us toward humble, trusting speech rather than restless, windy complaint—always remembering that “the LORD is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18) and that our words should reflect that hope.
Verse 2. -
How long wilt thou speak these things? An exclamation like that of Cicero, "Quousque tandem?" One or two outbreaks might be pardoned; but to persist was to abuse the patience of his hearers
. And how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? literally,
be a strong wind;
i.e. have all the bluster and vehemence of a tempest, which seeks to carry everything before it by sheer force and fury. The address is rude and unsympathetic.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
“How longעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilewill you go on sayingתְּמַלֶּל־(tə·mal·lel-)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4448:To speak, utter, saysuch things?אֵ֑לֶּה(’êl·leh)Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thoseThe wordsאִמְרֵי־(’im·rê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 561:Something saidof your mouthפִֽיךָ׃(p̄î·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according toare a blusteringכַּ֝בִּיר(kab·bîr)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3524:Great, mighty, muchwind.וְר֥וּחַ(wə·rū·aḥ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit
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OT Poetry: Job 8:2 How long will you speak these things? (Jb) 
