Job 8:9 (BSB)
For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
Commentary on Job 8:9
- Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Job 8:8-19: Bildad here discourses very well on the sad catastrophe of hypocrites and evil-doers and the fatal period of all their hopes and joys. He will not be so bold as to say with Eliphaz that none that were righteous were ever cut off thus (Job 4:7); yet he takes it for granted that God, in the course of his providence, does ordinarily bring wicked men...
- John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Job 8:9: Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee,.... That is, the men of the former age, and their fathers before them, Job is directed to inquire of, and to prepare for a search into their records and traditions; from whom he might reasonably expect to be taught and told things that would be very instructive and useful to him in his present circumstances: and utter words out of their heart?
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Job 8:9: of yesterday--that is, a recent race. We know nothing as compared with them because of the brevity of our lives; so even Jacob (Gen 47:9). Knowledge consisted then in the results of observation, embodied in poetical proverbs, and handed down by tradition. Longevity gave the opportunity of wider observation. a shadow-- (Psa 144:4; Ch1 29:15).
- Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Job 8:9: (For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:) (f) Meaning, that it is not enough to have the experience of ourselves, but to be confirmed by the examples of those who went before us.