Job 8:18
If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יְבַלְּעֶ֥נּוּ
If he destroy
H1104
יְבַלְּעֶ֥נּוּ
If he destroy
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
2 of 7
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
מִמְּקֹמ֑וֹ
him from his place
H4725
מִמְּקֹמ֑וֹ
him from his place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
וְכִ֥חֶשׁ
then it shall deny
H3584
וְכִ֥חֶשׁ
then it shall deny
Strong's:
H3584
Word #:
4 of 7
to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern concept of 'place' (maqom) included one's position in family, society, and memory. To be destroyed from one's place meant total obliteration—not just death but erasure from community memory. This intensified the judgment Bildad pronounces on hypocrites.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's promise 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' (Hebrews 13:5) address the terror of being denied by our place?
- What does the place's denial teach about the difference between temporary positions and eternal security in Christ?
- In what ways should awareness of false profession lead to self-examination rather than judgment of others?
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Analysis & Commentary
Destruction comes suddenly: 'If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.' The verb 'destroy' (bala, בָּלַע) means to swallow, engulf, or consume completely. 'His place' (meqom, מָקוֹם) denotes the location where he grew—when removed, the place itself denies ever knowing him. This personification intensifies the imagery: not only is the hypocrite destroyed, but his very place of growth repudiates him.
The denial 'I have not seen thee' echoes terrifying New Testament warnings: 'I never knew you: depart from me' (Matthew 7:23). The place's denial suggests complete erasure—the hypocrite leaves no trace, his existence forgotten as though he never was. This matches Job's earlier fear (7:10) that his place would know him no more. Bildad uses Job's own words against him, twisting lament into accusation.
The Reformed doctrine of perseverance provides assurance: genuine believers cannot be ultimately destroyed (John 10:28-29). But this requires faith to rest in God's verdict, not human diagnosis. Bildad presumes to know what only God knows—who genuinely belongs to God and who merely appeared to belong.