Job 18:15
It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
Original Language Analysis
תִּשְׁכּ֣וֹן
It shall dwell
H7931
תִּשְׁכּ֣וֹן
It shall dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
1 of 8
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בְּ֭אָהֳלוֹ
in his tabernacle
H168
בְּ֭אָהֳלוֹ
in his tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
2 of 8
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מִבְּלִי
because it is none
H1097
מִבְּלִי
because it is none
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
יְזֹרֶ֖ה
shall be scattered
H2219
יְזֹרֶ֖ה
shall be scattered
Strong's:
H2219
Word #:
5 of 8
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 11:6Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.Deuteronomy 29:23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
Historical Context
Sodom and Gomorrah's brimstone destruction was proverbial for divine judgment. Bildad invokes this to argue Job's household destruction indicates similar wickedness and judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we avoid wrongly applying biblical judgments to contemporary situations?
- What safeguards prevent us from making every calamity evidence of Sodom-level wickedness?
Analysis & Commentary
'It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.' Bildad describes destruction of the wicked's dwelling: something will 'dwell' (תִּשְׁכּוֹן, tishkon) in his 'tabernacle' (בְּאָהֳלוֹ, be'oholo) 'because it is none of his' (מִבְּלִי־לוֹ, mibli-lo), and 'brimstone' (גָּפְרִית, gafrit) scattered on his 'habitation' (נָוֵהוּ, navehu). This alludes to Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction (Genesis 19:24). Bildad implies Job's household disaster parallels that divine judgment. The theology of God judging wickedness is sound; applying Sodom's judgment to Job is slander. Not all calamity parallels Sodom. The Reformed hermeneutic distinguishes general principles from specific applications. Bildad commits eisegetical abuse—forcing Job's experience into a predetermined interpretive framework.