Bildad’s Third Speech

¹Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

²“Dominion and awesome might belong to God;[#tn The word הַמְשֵׁל (hamshel) is a Hiphil infinitive absolute used as a noun. It describes the rulership or dominion that God has, that which gives power and authority.; #tn The word פָּחַד (pakhad) literally means “fear; dread,” but in the sense of what causes the fear or the dread.; #tn Heb “[are] with him.”]

he establishes peace in his heights.

³Can his armies be numbered?[#tn Heb “Is there a number to his troops?” The question is rhetorical: there is no number to them!]

On whom does his light not rise?

⁴How then can a human being be righteous before God?

How can one born of a woman be pure?

⁵If even the moon is not bright,

and the stars are not pure as far as he is concerned,

⁶how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot –[#tn The text just has “maggot” and in the second half “worm.” Something has to be added to make it a bit clearer. The terms “maggot” and “worm” describe man in his lowest and most ignominious shape.]

a son of man, who is only a worm!”