Job 8:5 Meaning and Explanation
“If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Bildad urges Job to seek God earnestly and plead for mercy.
What Does Job 8:5 Mean?
Having pronounced the diagnosis, Bildad offers his cure. Let Job rise early and seek God, pouring out his plea to the Almighty. 'Betimes' means promptly, without delay, as one who knows his need is urgent.
The counsel to seek God in prayer is itself good and ancient. Those who truly turn to Him are never turned away. Bildad's flaw is not the call to seek God but the assumption that a single act of repentance is a lever to pull for guaranteed relief. Yet the deeper invitation stands for every reader: draw near to God, and He will draw near to you, for the One who bids us seek Him means to be found.
Job 8:5 in the Original Language
shachar (שָׁחַר), 'seek betimes' -- to seek early or diligently, as at the breaking of dawn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 8:5
What does Job 8:5 mean?
Bildad urges Job to seek God earnestly and plead for mercy.