King James Version

What Does Job 8:21 Mean?

“Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. rejoicing: Heb. shouting for joy”

Context

Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: help: Heb. take the ungodly by the hand

Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. rejoicing: Heb. shouting for joy

They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought. shall come: Heb. shall not be

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Topics in This Verse

Joy

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **Till he fill thy mouth with laughing.**—Rather, *he will yet fill thy mouth with laughter*—*afflicted though thou hast been, thou shalt again rejoice. *The attitude of Bildad is one of unsympathetic selfishness. He wishes to think well of his friend because he is *his *friend, but he cannot reconcile his afflicted condition with any theory of righteous government, and therefore is driven to *suspect *that all is not right with him, though he feels warranted in promising him that if he casts away that secret sin all shall yet be well with him. We may say that if the contrast here indicated is not intended by the speaker, then we must consider the “he” of Job 8:16 the person before spoken of, and must understand his luxuriance of a merely apparent luxuriance; but then in that case one is at a loss to see why the “he,” of Job 8:16 should be emphasised as it is in the Hebrew. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 8:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.