He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
Rather, turning to Job, 'Thou that tearest thyself in anger' (Job 5:2, "Wrath killeth the foolish man;" also, Job 16:9, "He teareth me in his anger"). Bildad implies, It is not so much God that teareth thee, as thou sayest: it is thou that tearest thyself, etc.
Be forsaken - become desolate. He alludes here to Job's words as to the "rock," etc., crumbling away (Job 14:18-19); but in a different application. He says bitterly "for thee." Wert thou not punished as thou art, and as thou art unwilling to bear, the eternal order of the universe (immovable as the rock) would be disturbed, and the earth become desolate through unavenged wickedness. Must the eternal and divine law, by which the universe is governed, be set aside, in order that you may escape the punishment of your wickedness? (Umbreit.) Bildad takes it for granted Job is a great sinner (Job 8:3-6; Isaiah 24:5-6). 'Shall that which stands fast as a rock be removed for your special accommodation?'