Job 8:15

KJV

He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall lean {H8172} upon his house {H1004}, but it shall not stand {H5975}: he shall hold {H2388} it fast, but it shall not endure {H6965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He can lean on his house, but it won't stand; he can hold on to it, but it won't last;

Berean Standard Bible

He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.

American Standard Version

He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: He shall hold fast thereby, but it shall not endure.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 8:15, spoken by Bildad the Shuhite, vividly portrays the futility of placing one's trust in a fragile, self-constructed foundation, particularly within the context of divine judgment against the wicked. It serves as a stark warning that any security or stability built apart from God's enduring truth is inherently transient and destined to collapse, regardless of the effort expended to maintain it. The verse underscores the impermanence of worldly reliance when confronted by the inevitable consequences of a life misaligned with divine principles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Bildad the Shuhite's first response to Job's lament. Bildad, adhering to a rigid, traditional wisdom theology, asserts a direct and simplistic correlation between suffering and sin, and prosperity and righteousness. He believes Job's immense suffering is irrefutable proof of his wickedness, implying that God is just and always punishes the guilty while blessing the upright. Within his speech (Job 8:1-22), Bildad employs a series of natural metaphors to illustrate the transient nature of the wicked. Specifically, verses 11-14 describe plants that wither without water and a spider's web that cannot provide support, setting the stage for the more direct metaphor of the collapsing house in verse 15. The subsequent verses (Job 8:16-19) continue to depict the wicked as a plant uprooted and forgotten, reinforcing the theme of inevitable downfall for those not rooted in righteousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of a "house" (Hebrew: _bayit_) extended far beyond a physical dwelling. It often symbolized one's entire household, family lineage, reputation, wealth, security, and even one's legacy or dynasty. To "lean upon one's house" or "hold it fast" would signify placing ultimate trust and security in one's established life, possessions, or human efforts. The prevailing wisdom tradition of the time, particularly as represented by Job's friends, strongly emphasized a retributive justice system where divine blessing followed obedience and divine curse followed sin. This worldview, while containing elements of truth, was often applied simplistically, failing to account for the complexities of suffering, as Job's story ultimately reveals.
* **Key Themes:** Job 8:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job and biblical wisdom literature. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **False Security**, highlighting the human tendency to place ultimate trust in transient things—be it material wealth, social standing, or personal achievements—rather than in an eternal, divine foundation. This directly contrasts with the theme of **True Wisdom**, which the book of Job ultimately defines as fearing the Lord and turning away from evil, rather than adhering to rigid, human-centric theological formulas. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Transience of Worldly Foundations**, emphasizing that anything not rooted in God's truth "shall not stand" and "shall not endure," a concept echoed in the New Testament by Jesus' parable of the [wise and foolish builders](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders"). Implicit in Bildad's argument, though misapplied to Job, is the theme of **Divine Justice and Consequences**, where actions, particularly those of the wicked, inevitably lead to ruin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lean (Hebrew, _sha'an'_):** This verb signifies more than mere physical support; it carries the profound connotation of trust, reliance, or confident dependence. When applied to "his house," it implies a deep-seated confidence and security placed in one's own established life, wealth, or human systems. It is the act of resting one's entire weight, both physically and existentially, upon something.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayit'_):** As noted in the context, "house" here is a rich metaphor. It represents not just a physical dwelling but the entirety of one's security system: family, lineage, possessions, reputation, achievements, and all that constitutes one's perceived stability and identity. It is the sum total of what a person builds and relies upon in life.
* **Shall not stand / Shall not endure (Hebrew, _lo ya'amod / v'lo tiqom'_):** These two phrases, appearing in parallel, emphatically declare the absolute certainty of collapse and failure. _Ya'amod_ (from `amad`) means "to stand, to remain, to endure." _Tiqom_ (from `qum`) means "to rise, to stand up, to be established." Their negation underscores the complete and utter failure of the foundation. Despite the effort to "hold fast" (`yachaziq`), the structure will not maintain its upright position, nor will it be able to rise again or be re-established. The double negation provides a powerful rhetorical punch, emphasizing inescapable ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall lean upon his house,"**: This clause depicts a person placing their full weight, trust, and confidence in their self-made security—their wealth, status, family, or personal achievements. It suggests a deep reliance on something other than God for stability and support.
* **"but it shall not stand:"**: This is the immediate, inevitable consequence. Despite the reliance, the "house" (the foundation of their life) will not remain upright; it will collapse. This signifies the inherent instability and impermanence of any foundation built apart from divine truth and righteousness.
* **"he shall hold it fast,"**: This clause illustrates the human effort to maintain control, to cling desperately to what is perceived as secure. It speaks to the futile attempts to preserve a failing system through sheer will or strength, highlighting the tenacity with which people often cling to their false securities.
* **"but it shall not endure."**: This final clause reiterates and reinforces the previous one, emphasizing the absolute certainty of ultimate failure. Despite the effort to "hold fast," the foundation will not last; it will not be able to stand firm against the forces that inevitably bring it down. The repetition underscores the unyielding nature of divine judgment or natural consequences when trust is misplaced.

#### Literary Devices
Job 8:15 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where "his house" stands in for one's entire system of security, wealth, and life's foundation. The actions of "leaning upon" and "holding fast" are also metaphorical, representing trust and desperate clinging, respectively. The verse also utilizes strong **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure") largely reiterates the meaning of the first half ("He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand"). This repetition serves to amplify the certainty and finality of the message. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** in Bildad's application of this truth. While the principle of a failing foundation is universally true, Bildad's rigid theology ironically misapplies it to Job, failing to grasp the deeper complexities of God's ways and Job's blamelessness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 8:15 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning the nature of true security and the dangers of misplaced trust. It stands as a timeless warning against building one's life on anything other than God Himself. Throughout Scripture, God is consistently portrayed as the only unshakeable foundation, the Rock upon whom one can truly lean and find enduring stability. Any attempt to construct a lasting edifice of security—whether through wealth, power, human wisdom, or self-righteousness—is ultimately futile and destined for collapse. This verse serves as a profound theological statement on the impermanence of all earthly things when compared to the eternal steadfastness of the Divine.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches Leads to Fall")
* [Psalm 62:7](/psalms/62-7 "Psalm 62:7 - God as Our Rock and Refuge")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 8:15 offers a sober and challenging reflection for every individual. In a world that constantly encourages us to build our lives around material possessions, career achievements, social status, or even seemingly stable relationships, this verse compels us to critically examine the true foundation of our hope and security. Are we, like the person described, leaning heavily upon our "house"—our self-made systems of comfort and control—believing that our efforts can make them endure? The verse reminds us that no matter how tightly we try to "hold fast" to these transient things, they are ultimately incapable of providing lasting stability or protection when faced with life's inevitable storms or divine judgment. True and lasting security is found not in what we can build or grasp, but in placing our faith and reliance on the Lord, who alone is our unshakeable Rock and our eternal refuge. It calls us to shift our trust from the fleeting to the eternal, from the visible to the invisible, and to build our lives on the solid ground of God's unchanging truth and character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "house" or foundation am I currently leaning upon for security and stability in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "hold fast" to things that are ultimately transient or unreliable?**
* **How does the impermanence described in this verse challenge my priorities and long-term goals?**
* **What practical steps can I take to shift my reliance more fully onto God as my ultimate foundation?**

### FAQ
**Does "his house" only refer to a physical dwelling in Job 8:15?**

Answer: No, the term "house" (Hebrew: _bayit_) in Job 8:15 extends far beyond a mere physical dwelling. In ancient Near Eastern thought, and throughout the Bible, "house" is a rich metaphor that can signify one's entire household, family lineage, possessions, reputation, wealth, security, and even one's entire system of support and identity. When Bildad says "He shall lean upon his house," he is referring to the sum total of what a person builds and relies upon in life for security and stability, apart from God. This could include a person's accumulated wealth, their social standing, their personal achievements, or any self-constructed system of perceived safety. The verse underscores that any such foundation, no matter how diligently constructed or desperately clung to, "shall not stand" and "shall not endure" if it is not rooted in divine truth, echoing the broader biblical teaching on the [vanity of earthly pursuits](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes 1 - The Vanity of All Things").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 8:15, though spoken by Bildad and misapplied to Job, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate truth revealed in Christ: that all humanly constructed foundations are inherently unstable and destined to fail, while Christ alone provides the unshakeable ground for true life and security. The "house" upon which one leans and which "shall not stand" represents any attempt to find salvation, righteousness, or lasting peace apart from God. In the New Testament, Jesus himself contrasts the [foolish man who built his house on sand](/matthew/7-26 "Matthew 7:26 - The Foolish Builder") with the [wise man who built on the rock](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24 - The Wise Builder"), revealing that hearing and obeying His words is the only secure foundation. The Apostle Paul explicitly declares that "no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is [Jesus Christ](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ Our Foundation")" (1 Corinthians 3:11). The instability of the "house" in Job 8:15 points to the necessity of building our lives on Christ, who is the [cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone") of God's eternal temple, and through whom we receive an [unshakeable kingdom](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakeable Kingdom"). Our ultimate security is found not in what we can accumulate or achieve, but in the person and work of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who is Himself the solid Rock upon which we can lean and truly endure.

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

Job 27:18

He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth [that] the keeper maketh.

Luke 6:47

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Luke 6:49

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Matthew 7:24

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matthew 7:27

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Psalms 49:11

Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] for ever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names.

Proverbs 10:28

The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.