Job 8:22
They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.
Original Language Analysis
יִלְבְּשׁוּ
thee shall be clothed
H3847
יִלְבְּשׁוּ
thee shall be clothed
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
בֹ֑שֶׁת
with shame
H1322
בֹ֑שֶׁת
with shame
Strong's:
H1322
Word #:
3 of 6
shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol
וְאֹ֖הֶל
and the dwelling
H168
וְאֹ֖הֶל
and the dwelling
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
4 of 6
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Cross References
Psalms 132:18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.Psalms 109:29Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.Psalms 35:26Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.Job 18:14His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.Job 8:18If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.Job 7:21And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.1 Peter 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern honor-shame culture intensified the significance of being 'clothed with shame'—public disgrace constituted severe judgment. Bildad promises this fate for Job's enemies, unwittingly describing his own coming humiliation when God vindicates Job and condemns the friends' theology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the reversal of Bildad's pronouncement warn us against presuming to speak authoritatively for God?
- What does Job's intercession for his accusers teach about the gospel pattern of the innocent suffering for the guilty?
- In what ways should awareness that our theological pronouncements will be judged (Matthew 12:36-37) promote humility and charity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Bildad's final verse contrasts destinies: 'They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.' The verb 'clothed' (labash, לָבָשׁ) uses garment imagery—shame becomes the haters' covering instead of honor. 'Shall come to nought' (ayin, אַיִן) means to become nothing, cease to exist. Bildad promises Job's enemies will face destruction while Job is vindicated.
The supreme irony is that Bildad himself will be 'clothed with shame' when God declares, 'ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath' (42:7). Bildad presumes to speak for God while actually misrepresenting Him. His confident diagnosis of Job as hypocrite and himself as orthodox defender of divine justice inverts reality. The 'wicked' whose dwelling comes to nought includes not Job but those who falsely accused him.
This reversal illustrates James 2:13, 'judgment is without mercy to him that showed no mercy.' Bildad showed no mercy to suffering Job; he receives no mercy when his own error is exposed. Only Job's intercession (42:8-9) saves Bildad from the judgment he presumed to pronounce on others. The gospel pattern emerges: the condemned one (Job) intercedes for his false accusers (the friends).