He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
This phrase suggests a future restoration and blessing, indicating that God has the power to transform sorrow into joy. In the context of the Book of Job, Bildad is speaking to Job, suggesting that if Job repents, God will restore his fortunes. The idea of laughter as a sign of divine blessing is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Genesis 21:6, where Sarah laughs upon the birth of Isaac, a fulfillment of God's promise. Laughter here symbolizes a return to a state of well-being and divine favor, contrasting with Job's current suffering.

and your lips with a shout of joy
This part of the verse emphasizes vocal expressions of happiness and triumph. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, public expressions of joy were often associated with celebrations of victory or deliverance. The shout of joy can be seen as a communal expression, reflecting not only personal restoration but also a testimony to others of God's faithfulness. This connects with Psalm 126:2, where the return from exile is marked by mouths filled with laughter and tongues with songs of joy, highlighting God's redemptive power. Theologically, this anticipates the ultimate joy found in Christ, who brings eternal restoration and joy to believers.

1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and loss.

2. Bildad the Shuhite
One of Job's three friends who visit him to offer counsel. Bildad speaks in Job 8, attempting to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom.

3. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.

4. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing and ultimately restores him.

5. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity.God's Promise of Restoration
Despite current suffering, God promises to restore joy and laughter. Trust in His timing and faithfulness.

The Role of Friends in Suffering
Bildad's counsel, though well-intentioned, was based on incomplete understanding. Be cautious in offering advice; seek to comfort and support rather than judge.

Endurance Through Trials
Like Job, believers are called to endure suffering with faith, trusting that God will ultimately bring joy and vindication.

Joy as a Gift from God
True joy and laughter are gifts from God, often following periods of trial. Seek joy in God's presence and promises.

Hope in God's Character
God's nature is compassionate and merciful. Even when circumstances are bleak, hope in His unchanging character.(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.

Verse 21. - Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. This is very elliptical. The full phrase would be, "God will not cast away a perfect man; therefore, if thou be such, he will not cast away thee, till he fill thy mouth with laughter, and thy lips with rejoicing," or "with shouting for joy."

Parallel Commentaries ...


He will yet
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

fill your mouth
פִּ֑יךָ (pî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

with
יְמַלֵּ֣ה (yə·mal·lêh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

laughter,
שְׂח֣וֹק (śə·ḥō·wq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7814: Laughter, derision, sport

and your lips
וּשְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ (ū·śə·p̄ā·ṯe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

with a shout of joy.
תְרוּעָֽה׃ (ṯə·rū·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8643: Clamor, acclamation of joy, a battle-cry, clangor, of trumpets, as an alarum


Job 8:21 NIV
Job 8:21 NLT
Job 8:21 ESV
Job 8:21 NASB
Job 8:21 KJV

Job 8:21 BibleApps.com
Job 8:21 Biblia Paralela
Job 8:21 Chinese Bible
Job 8:21 French Bible
Job 8:21 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 8:21 He will still fill your mouth (Jb)