Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
Original Language Analysis
הַ֭אֵל
Doth God
H410
הַ֭אֵל
Doth God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
1 of 7
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.2 Chronicles 19:7Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.Genesis 18:25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?Daniel 9:14Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
Historical Context
Bildad speaks second among the friends, his speech characterized by appeal to tradition and ancestral wisdom (8:8-10). The question about divine justice was central to ancient theodicy. Bildad cannot conceive that the just God might have purposes in suffering beyond retribution. His theology leaves no room for mystery, testing, or purposes hidden from human view.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain confidence in God's perfect justice while admitting we don't always understand His ways?
- What is the difference between affirming God's justice and claiming to fully comprehend His judgments?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Bildad asks rhetorically: 'Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?' The verb avat (עָוַת, pervert) means to twist, distort, or make crooked. Mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט, judgment) and tsedeq (צֶדֶק, justice) both relate to righteousness and right decisions. Bildad's questions demand negative answers: God cannot pervert justice. This theological truth is unassailable—God is perfectly just. However, Bildad uses this truth to conclude that Job's suffering must be deserved, an invalid inference that confuses divine justice with human understanding of it.