If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes - If thou wouldest do it now. If even on the supposition that your sons have thus perished, and that God has come out in judgment against your family, you would look to God, you might be restored to favor. The word rendered “seek betimes” (שׁחר shâchar) means literally to seek in the morning, to seek early; and then, to make it the first business. It is derived from the word meaning aurora (שׁחר shachar) and has reference to the early light of the morning, and hence, to an early seeking. It may be applied to seeking him in early life, or as the first thing - looking to him immediately when help is needed, or before we apply to anyone else; compare Proverbs 7:15; Proverbs 8:17; Proverbs 13:24; Job 24:5; Psalms 63:1; Psalms 78:34; Isaiah 26:9; Hosea 5:15; compare the advice of Eliphaz, Job 5:8.
Related Commentaries of Job 8:5
Job 8:5
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;