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.1. What is the meaning of Job 8:21?

2. How does Job 8:21 encourage us to trust in God's restoration power?

3. What does "fill your mouth with laughter" reveal about God's intentions for us?

4. How can Job 8:21 inspire hope during personal trials and suffering?

5. What other scriptures emphasize God's ability to bring joy after hardship?

6. How can we apply the promise of joy in Job 8:21 to daily life?

7. How does Job 8:21 reflect God's promise of restoration and joy after suffering?

8. What historical context influences the interpretation of Job 8:21?

9. How does Job 8:21 align with the overall theme of the Book of Job?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 8?

11. Is God humorous?

12. Does laughter bring joy to the heart?

13. How can Bildad's claim that God never rejects the blameless (Job 8:20-22) be reconciled with instances of innocent suffering in Scripture?

14. How does Psalm 1:3, which promises the righteous will prosper, align with the observable reality that many devout believers still suffer hardships?He will yet

- The little word “yet” tells us that God’s work is not finished. Though Job is in deep suffering, Bildad’s words point to God’s future action.

• Psalm 30:5 declares, “weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning”, underscoring God’s pattern of turning hardship into hope.

• James 5:11 reminds us that “the Lord is full of compassion and mercy”, assuring believers that God’s character guarantees eventual intervention.

- “He” keeps the focus on the Lord as the sole source of restoration, safeguarding us from looking to circumstances or self-effort for lasting relief (Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:10).

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fill your mouth with laughter

- “Fill” speaks of abundance, not a passing chuckle. God intends complete emotional renewal.

• Psalm 126:2 records Israel’s return from exile: “Our mouths were filled with laughter”, proving He can replace years of sorrow with overflowing delight.

• Genesis 21:6 shows Sarah laughing at Isaac’s birth after decades of barrenness. When God fulfills His promises, laughter naturally follows.

- Note the personal touch—“your mouth.” Divine joy is not theoretical; it is experienced inwardly and expressed outwardly (Proverbs 17:22).

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and your lips with a shout of joy

- A “shout” goes beyond quiet contentment; it is vocal, public celebration. God’s deliverance invites testimony (Psalm 71:23: “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You”).

- Restoration affects speech as well as emotion. Job, who once said, “I loathe my life” (Job 10:1), will later confess, “My eyes have seen You” (Job 42:5), moving from lament to praise.

- Revelation 19:1 pictures heaven erupting in a loud cry, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!”, illustrating that redeemed lips naturally erupt in joyous proclamation.

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summary

Job 8:21 assures us that God’s final word for His people is joy, not despair. Suffering may linger, but the Lord “will yet” step in, abundantly replacing grief with laughter and turning muted lips into trumpets of praise. Trusting His unchanging character enables believers to wait confidently for that promised reversal.

(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


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