Job 18:5-21 | TNotes | STEP | 18:5 The light of the wicked will be snuffed out could be a metaphor for a life of confused darkness (Prov 4:19 ); more likely, it indicates an early death (Prov 13:9 ; 24:20 ).

18:5 ^a The light of the wicked will be snuffed out could be a metaphor for a life of confused darkness (Prov 4:19 ^b); more likely, it indicates an early death (Prov 13:9 ^c; 24:20 ^d).
18:7 ^e The stride that is shortened is the opposite of walking and running in the blessed life (Prov 4:12 ^f).
Summary for Job 18:8-10: 18:8-10 ^g A series of hunting devices illustrates the biblical principle of retribution (see study note on 34:11).
Summary for Job 18:11-13: 18:11-13 ^h Bildad applies the biblical principle of retribution (18:8-10 ⁱ) to Job, as do Eliphaz (15:21-23 ^j) and Zophar (20:25 ^k).
18:13 ^l death devours: Isaiah later reversed the figure and saw the Lord as swallowing up death (Isa 25:8 ^m; see 1 Cor 15:54 ⁿ).
18:15 ^o The image of burning sulfur recalls the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24 ^p) and suggests the fate of all the wicked (Ps 11:6 ^q; Rev 19:20 ^r; 21:8 ^s).
18:17 ^t Being forgotten by those who come later is a familiar curse against the wicked (see 18:19 ^u; Pss 34:16 ^v; 109:13 ^w; Prov 10:7 ^x).
18:19 ^y This curse of childlessness (see 18:16 ^z; Pss 109:13 ^aa; Isa 14:21-22 ^ab) and Bildad’s earlier cruelty (Job 8:4 ^ac) show that he regarded Job’s condition as the just reward for his wickedness (1:18-19 ^ad).
18:20 ^ae in the west ... in the east: These phrases might refer to people from times past and times to come or to people from various places.
18:21 ^af Bildad kept implying that Job had rejected God (15:4 ^ag, 13 ^ah, 25 ^ai).