Job 8:10

KJV

Shall not they teach thee, [and] tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall not they teach {H3384} thee, and tell {H559} thee, and utter {H3318} words {H4405} out of their heart {H3820}?

Complete Jewish Bible

They will teach you, they will tell you, they will say what is in their hearts:

Berean Standard Bible

Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?

American Standard Version

Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 8:10 captures Bildad the Shuhite's appeal to ancient wisdom and the authority of tradition as a source of truth regarding God's justice. In his first speech to Job, Bildad asserts that the accumulated knowledge of past generations, expressed with deep conviction and sincerity, would unequivocally confirm his retributive theology—that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. He challenges Job to consult these venerable sources, implying that their collective experience would validate his friends' arguments and expose Job's perceived error in protesting his innocence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 8:10 is situated within Bildad's initial response to Job's lament in [Job 7](/job/7 "Job 7 - Job's Lament and Despair"). Bildad, one of Job's three friends, speaks after Eliphaz and before Zophar, each presenting their version of conventional wisdom concerning suffering. Bildad's speech is characterized by its rigid adherence to the doctrine of divine retribution: the righteous prosper, and the wicked suffer. He begins by accusing Job's words of being a "strong wind" ([Job 8:2](/job/8-2 "Job 8:2 - Bildad's Rebuke")), then asserts God's unwavering justice ([Job 8:3](/job/8-3 "Job 8:3 - God's Justice")). He urges Job to repent and seek God, promising restoration if he is pure ([Job 8:5-7](/job/8-5 "Job 8:5-7 - Bildad's Counsel to Seek God")). Verse 10 specifically serves as an appeal to the established, time-tested wisdom of the ancients, framing their counsel as an irrefutable testimony that would confirm his own theological stance against Job's protestations of innocence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly within Israelite society, age and tradition were highly revered as sources of wisdom. Elders were seen as repositories of communal knowledge, moral principles, and understanding of divine ways, passed down through generations. This reverence for ancestral wisdom was not merely cultural but often carried theological weight, as it was believed that God's ways had been observed and understood over a long history. Bildad's argument taps into this deep-seated respect for the "ancients" or "fathers," suggesting that their long experience and observations of divine principles provided a reliable, almost infallible, source of truth. This perspective often led to a deterministic view of cause and effect, where prosperity indicated divine favor and suffering indicated divine displeasure, a view widely held in the ancient world and reflected in much of the Deuteronomic theology.

* **Key Themes:** Job 8:10 contributes significantly to several key themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it underscores **The Authority of Tradition vs. Individual Experience**. Bildad champions the wisdom inherited from previous generations, believing it to be a pure and infallible source of knowledge about God's dealings with humanity, directly contrasting it with Job's personal, inexplicable suffering. He believes the "ancients" would confirm that Job must be guilty of sin for such calamities to befall him. Secondly, the verse highlights **The Nature of Counsel**. The phrase "utter words out of their heart" suggests that the wisdom of the elders is not superficial but comes from deep conviction and genuine experience, implying a heartfelt, sincere transmission of truth. Lastly, it touches upon **The Problem of Suffering and Retributive Theology**. Bildad's entire argument, culminating in this appeal to tradition, is a defense of the conventional belief that God always punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous, a theological framework that the entire Book of Job ultimately challenges and refines, demonstrating that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension or rigid theological formulas, as seen in [God's rebuke of Job's friends](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends") at the book's conclusion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Teach (Hebrew, _yōrû_):** Derived from the root יָרָה (yārāh), meaning "to throw, cast, shoot," but in the Hiphil stem, it often means "to teach, instruct, direct, guide." This implies a deliberate act of imparting knowledge or wisdom, akin to pointing the way or laying down a foundation of understanding. Bildad suggests the ancients would actively instruct Job.
* **Utter (Hebrew, _yabbîʿû_):** From the root נָבַע (nābaʿ), meaning "to gush forth, bubble up, pour out." In the Hiphil, it means "to cause to flow, to utter, to declare." This word conveys the idea of something flowing freely and abundantly from an inner source, suggesting a spontaneous, yet deeply rooted, expression of truth or conviction.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lēḇ_):** In biblical thought, the heart is far more comprehensive than just the seat of emotion. It represents the totality of a person's inner being—their intellect, will, conscience, and core character. Thus, "words out of their heart" means words that are deeply felt, sincerely believed, and come from profound inner conviction and understanding, not merely superficial or intellectual assent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall not they teach thee,"**: This opening clause, presented as a rhetorical question, is a strong assertion by Bildad. It implies that the "ancients" (referenced in the preceding verses) possess a clear, authoritative understanding of God's ways and would readily impart this knowledge to Job. The expectation is that Job would naturally yield to their superior wisdom.
* **"and tell thee,"**: This phrase parallels "teach thee," reinforcing the idea of direct communication of knowledge. It suggests a clear, unambiguous declaration of truth, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. It's about conveying established facts or principles.
* **"and utter words out of their heart?"**: This final clause emphasizes the sincerity and depth from which this ancient wisdom originates. It's not just intellectual knowledge but truth deeply ingrained, genuinely believed, and expressed with conviction from the core of their being. This lends an air of unimpeachable authority and authenticity to the counsel Bildad believes the ancients would offer.

#### Literary Devices
Job 8:10 employs several literary devices to enhance its persuasive power. The entire verse is framed as a **Rhetorical Question**, "Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?" This device is not meant to elicit an answer but to make a strong, undeniable assertion, implying that the answer is self-evident: of course, they will teach him, and their wisdom is irrefutable. There is also clear **Parallelism** in the succession of verbs: "teach," "tell," and "utter." This creates a rhythmic emphasis and builds intensity, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the wisdom that would be imparted. Finally, the phrase "utter words out of their heart" uses **Metonymy**, where "heart" stands for the entire inner person, including intellect, will, and conviction. This device attributes a profound depth and sincerity to the ancient wisdom, elevating its authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Bildad's appeal to the "ancients" and their heartfelt wisdom in Job 8:10 highlights a significant theological tension within the book: the relationship between received tradition and individual experience of God. While respect for the wisdom of elders is a biblical virtue, Bildad's application of it is flawed. He uses tradition as an unyielding, absolute standard to condemn Job, rather than as a guide for compassionate understanding. This verse underscores the danger of uncritically applying theological formulas, even those rooted in long-held beliefs, without discerning God's complex and often mysterious ways. The Book of Job ultimately challenges the notion that human wisdom, even ancient wisdom, can fully comprehend divine justice or the reasons for suffering, pointing instead to God's sovereign and often inscrutable plan.

* [Proverbs 20:29](/proverbs/20-29 "Proverbs 20:29 - The Glory of Young Men and Old Men")
* [Deuteronomy 32:7](/deuteronomy/32-7 "Deuteronomy 32:7 - Remember the Days of Old")
* [Job 12:12](/job/12-12 "Job 12:12 - Wisdom with the Aged")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Bildad's specific application of ancient wisdom to Job's suffering was ultimately rebuked by God, the underlying principle of valuing and seeking wisdom from those who have walked before us remains profoundly relevant. There is immense spiritual and practical benefit in listening to the counsel of elders, those who have accumulated life experience, observed God's faithfulness, and wrestled with the complexities of faith. Their insights, when rooted in Scripture and seasoned by genuine experience, can offer invaluable guidance, perspective, and a sense of continuity with the generations of faith. However, this verse also serves as a crucial reminder that even sincere, deeply held traditions must always be filtered through the lens of God's revealed character and His Word, and tempered with compassion and humility. We are called to discern, not merely to absorb, recognizing that God's truth is dynamic and often transcends our neat theological boxes, especially when confronting the mystery of suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically weigh the wisdom of tradition against your personal experiences or contemporary understanding of faith?**
* **In what areas of your life could you benefit from seeking counsel from older, more experienced believers?**
* **What does it mean for counsel to "utter words out of their heart," and how can you cultivate such sincerity in your own interactions?**
* **How can we avoid the pitfalls of Bildad's rigid application of tradition while still honoring the value of historical and theological heritage?**

### FAQ

**What is Bildad's main point in appealing to "the ancients" in Job 8:10?**

Answer: Bildad's main point is to assert the absolute authority and infallibility of traditional wisdom concerning God's justice. He believes that the long-standing observations and teachings passed down through generations unequivocally confirm his retributive theology: that God always punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous. By urging Job to consult these "ancients," Bildad implies that their collective, heartfelt wisdom would expose Job's perceived sin as the cause of his suffering, thereby validating Bildad's own argument and silencing Job's protests of innocence. He sees this ancient wisdom as a definitive, unchallengeable source of truth about God's dealings with humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Bildad's appeal to ancient wisdom in Job 8:10 is rooted in a flawed understanding of God's justice, it foreshadows the ultimate source of true wisdom and revelation found in Christ. The "ancients" of Bildad's day could only offer observations based on general principles and limited understanding; their "words out of their heart" were sincere but incomplete. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the very **Logos**, the [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), through whom all things were created and in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is not merely a teacher of ancient wisdom but the embodiment of eternal truth, speaking not just from the "heart" but from the very being of God ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). The wisdom of the cross, though a "stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles," is "the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:23-24](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23-24 - Christ Crucified, God's Power and Wisdom")). Unlike the friends of Job, whose counsel was ultimately deemed erroneous by God ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God Rebukes Job's Friends")), Christ's words are "spirit and life" ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Spirit and Life")) and lead to eternal life. He is the ultimate "teacher" and "teller," whose words truly come from the Father's heart, revealing the full scope of God's redemptive plan and providing the ultimate answer to suffering through His own sacrificial love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 18:15

¶ The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Hebrews 11:4

¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Deuteronomy 11:19

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Matthew 12:35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Job 32:7

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

Job 12:7

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

Job 12:8

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.