Job 8:9

(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)

(For we are but of yesterday {H8543}, and know {H3045} nothing, because our days {H3117} upon earth {H776} are a shadow {H6738}:)

for we who were born yesterday know nothing, our days on earth are but a shadow.

For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days upon earth are a shadow);

Commentary

Context of Job 8:9

Job 8:9 is spoken by Bildad the Shuhite, one of Job's three friends, who has come to comfort him in his immense suffering. In this chapter, Bildad argues from traditional wisdom, asserting that God is just and always punishes the wicked while restoring the righteous. He suggests that Job's suffering must be a consequence of his sin, and that if Job would repent, God would bless him again. Verses 8-10 serve as Bildad's appeal to the "former age" and the "search of their fathers," contrasting the accumulated wisdom of the ancients with the perceived limited understanding of his own generation, including Job.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Human Frailty and Mortality: The phrase "we are but of yesterday" powerfully conveys the extreme brevity and fleeting nature of human life. Our existence is transient, a mere blink in the grand scheme of eternity. This theme is echoed in many other biblical texts, emphasizing the temporary nature of our earthly sojourn, much like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
  • Limited Human Knowledge: Bildad's assertion that we "know nothing" highlights the inherent limitations of human understanding, especially when compared to divine wisdom or the accumulated knowledge of past generations. This suggests humility in the face of profound mysteries, particularly concerning God's ways and purposes. Our perspective is narrow, and our insights are incomplete.
  • Life as a Shadow: Describing "our days upon earth are a shadow" vividly portrays the insubstantial and ephemeral quality of human existence. A shadow is dependent on something else for its form, lacks substance, and quickly disappears. This metaphor reinforces the idea of life's transience and the inability of humans to fully grasp or control their destiny.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "yesterday" (temol - ืชึผึฐืžื•ึนืœ) emphasizes the immediate past, signifying how short our time is. The term for "shadow" (tsel - ืฆึตืœ) is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote something fleeting, insubstantial, or temporary. It underscores the contrast between the eternal nature of God and the temporal nature of humanity. While Bildad uses this truth to humble Job, the Bible consistently affirms the brevity of human life as a universal truth, encouraging a proper perspective on our earthly journey.

Practical Application

Job 8:9 serves as a profound reminder of human humility and dependence. It encourages us to:

  • Embrace Humility: Recognize the limits of our own understanding and wisdom. We cannot fully comprehend God's intricate plans or the reasons for all circumstances in life. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
  • Value Enduring Wisdom: While Bildad misapplies this truth to Job, the principle of valuing wisdom passed down through generations, particularly through God's Word, remains vital. Our short lives mean we benefit from the insights of those who have gone before.
  • Live Purposefully: Understanding that our days are a "shadow" should not lead to despair but to a deeper appreciation for the time we have. It calls us to live with intentionality, seeking to honor God and make a lasting impact, rather than chasing after fleeting earthly pursuits.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 29:15 (10 votes)

    For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.

  • Psalms 144:4 (8 votes)

    Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.

  • Job 14:2 (7 votes)

    He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

  • Psalms 102:11 (5 votes)

    My days [are] like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

  • Genesis 47:9 (4 votes)

    And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

  • Job 7:6 (4 votes)

    My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

  • Psalms 39:5 (3 votes)

    Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.