Job 18

“Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,” Naming Bildad and Shuhite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include ground, laid, snare. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.” Naming Surely keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.