King James Version
What Does Job 8:15 Mean?
“He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.”
Job 8:15 · KJV
Context
13
So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
14
Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. web: Heb. house
15
He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
16
He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
17
His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryBildad continues: 'He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.' The verbs escalate: 'lean' (sha'an, שָׁעַן) suggests initial trust, 'hold fast' (chazaq, חָזַק) implies desperate clinging when the initial trust proves inadequate. The house symbolizes whatever security the hypocrite builds—reputation, wealth, family, religion. Despite attempts to strengthen it, 'it shall not stand' (amad, עָמַד) nor 'endure' (qum, קוּם).
The imagery anticipates Jesus' parable of houses built on rock versus sand (Matthew 7:24-27). The storm reveals foundation quality—one house stands, the other falls spectacularly. Bildad correctly identifies the principle: false foundations cannot bear weight. His error is assuming Job's house is sand-built rather than rock-founded. God's later vindication will prove Job's foundation solid despite the storm's ferocity.
The Reformed understanding of security rests in union with Christ—'built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone' (Ephesians 2:20). No storm can destroy what God builds. Bildad's theology lacks this Christological center, substituting moral performance for covenant security.
The imagery anticipates Jesus' parable of houses built on rock versus sand (Matthew 7:24-27). The storm reveals foundation quality—one house stands, the other falls spectacularly. Bildad correctly identifies the principle: false foundations cannot bear weight. His error is assuming Job's house is sand-built rather than rock-founded. God's later vindication will prove Job's foundation solid despite the storm's ferocity.
The Reformed understanding of security rests in union with Christ—'built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone' (Ephesians 2:20). No storm can destroy what God builds. Bildad's theology lacks this Christological center, substituting moral performance for covenant security.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Near Eastern architecture varied in quality. Wealthy built with stone; poor used mud brick that required constant maintenance. A house's ability to withstand storms revealed its construction quality. Bildad's metaphor would resonate with anyone who'd seen shoddy structures collapse while solid buildings endured.
Reflection Questions
- What 'houses' do we build—careers, relationships, reputations—that cannot ultimately stand?
- How does union with Christ provide the only foundation that endures when storms come?
- In what ways should awareness of judgment day (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) affect what we build and how we build it?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsעַל2 of 9
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֵּ֭יתוֹ3 of 9
“upon his house”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְלֹ֣א4 of 9
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲמֹ֑ד5 of 9
“but it shall not stand”
H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
יַחֲזִ֥יק6 of 9
“he shall hold”
H2388to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
בּ֝֗וֹ7 of 9
H0וְלֹ֣א8 of 9
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָקֽוּם׃9 of 9
“it fast but it shall not endure”
H6965to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Job 8:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Job 8:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge