Job 8:10
Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹא
H3808
הֲלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
י֭וֹרוּךָ
Shall not they teach
H3384
י֭וֹרוּךָ
Shall not they teach
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
וּ֝מִלִּבָּ֗ם
out of their heart
H3820
וּ֝מִלִּבָּ֗ם
out of their heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
6 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Historical Context
Oral tradition dominated ancient Near Eastern education. The 'fathers' refers to multiple generations of accumulated wisdom (Proverbs 1:8, 4:1). However, Job introduces new revelation that corrects inadequate traditional formulations—a pattern repeated when prophets challenged prevailing consensus and ultimately when Christ fulfilled and transcended Old Covenant understanding.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Reformed confessions and catechisms rightly function as subordinate standards under Scripture's ultimate authority?
- What criteria should we use to evaluate which traditional teachings to maintain versus which to revise in light of Scripture?
- In what ways does Bildad's mistake warn against elevating systematic theology over exegetical theology?
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Analysis & Commentary
Bildad claims ancestors 'shall teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart.' Three verbs intensify: 'teach' (yarah, יָרָה), 'tell' (amar, אָמַר), and 'utter' (yatsa, יָצָא, bring forth). The phrase 'out of their heart' (mil-libbam, מִלִּבָּם) suggests authenticity—these aren't mere repetitions but wisdom from deep understanding. Bildad presents tradition as living voice of authoritative truth.
Ironically, Bildad's appeal to the fathers will prove inadequate—the very ancestors he cites didn't possess full revelation that later Scripture provides. Moreover, God Himself will later declare Bildad's words incorrect (42:7). Tradition's value depends on its fidelity to revelation, not its antiquity. This illustrates the danger of sola traditio (tradition alone) versus sola scriptura (Scripture alone)—tradition must be tested by the Word.
The New Testament pattern shows apostles honoring Old Testament Scripture while providing authoritative new revelation through Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). The church's tradition matters (2 Thessalonians 2:15) but remains subordinate to Scripture. Bildad's error wasn't honoring the fathers but failing to test their teaching against God's self-revelation.