Job Chapter 8 · Verse 6
If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַ֭תָּה
H6258
יָעִ֣יר
surely now he would awake
H5782
יָעִ֣יר
surely now he would awake
Strong's:
H5782
Word #:
7 of 11
to wake (literally or figuratively)
עָלֶ֑יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְ֝שִׁלַּ֗ם
prosperous
H7999
וְ֝שִׁלַּ֗ם
prosperous
Strong's:
H7999
Word #:
9 of 11
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
Cross References
Isaiah 51:9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.Job 5:24And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Psalms 7:6Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.Job 16:17Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Psalms 44:23Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.Job 1:8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?1 Timothy 2:8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom often taught immediate consequences for sin/righteousness, but Job challenges this timeline. Bildad's certainty ('surely') reveals pride in human understanding of divine ways.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you expected immediate results from righteousness?
- How do you maintain faith when God doesn't 'awake' on your timeline?
Analysis & Commentary
Bildad's promise 'If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee' reveals theology of immediate retribution. The conditional 'if' denies Job's actual innocence, while 'surely' expresses confidence in simplistic cause-and-effect. This theology cannot account for innocent suffering or delayed vindication.