7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
7 The vigor of his step is weakened; his own schemes throw him down.
7 His strong steps are shortened, and his own schemes throw him down.
7 Their strong strides weaken, falter; they stumble into their own traps.
7 The steps of his strength are shortened, And his own counsel casts him down.
7 The confident stride of the wicked will be shortened. Their own schemes will be their downfall.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 18:7
Commentary on Job 18:5-10
(Read Job 18:5-10)
Bildad describes the miserable condition of a wicked man; in which there is much certain truth, if we consider that a sinful condition is a sad condition, and that sin will be men's ruin, if they do not repent. Though Bildad thought the application of it to Job was easy, yet it was not safe nor just. It is common for angry disputants to rank their opponents among God's enemies, and to draw wrong conclusions from important truths. The destruction of the wicked is foretold. That destruction is represented under the similitude of a beast or bird caught in a snare, or a malefactor taken into custody. Satan, as he was a murderer, so he was a robber, from the beginning. He, the tempter, lays snares for sinners wherever they go. If he makes them sinful like himself, he will make them miserable like himself. Satan hunts for the precious life. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare for himself, and God is preparing for his destruction. See here how the sinner runs himself into the snare.