bildad: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Low
UK/ˈbɪldæd/US/ˈbɪlˌdæd/

Formal / Literary / Biblical

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Quick answer

What does “bildad” mean?

A proper noun referring to one of Job's three friends in the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A proper noun referring to one of Job's three friends in the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible.

The name 'Bildad' is used exclusively to refer to this biblical character and is not used in any extended metaphorical or common figurative sense in modern English. Occasionally, in theological or literary analysis, the name may be invoked to represent a specific type of argument or philosophical stance found in the Book of Job.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in usage, pronunciation, or spelling.

Connotations

Equally rare and context-specific in both varieties. May be slightly more recognised in communities with strong biblical literacy.

Frequency

Used with identical, extremely low frequency in both UK and US English.

Grammar

How to Use “bildad” in a Sentence

Proper Noun (Subject of 'said', 'argued', 'replied')

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
Job's friend BildadBildad the Shuhite
medium
the arguments of BildadBildad's speechBildad's theology
weak
Bildad repliedlike Bildad

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not applicable.

Academic

Used in theological, religious studies, and literary criticism contexts discussing the Book of Job.

Everyday

Virtually never used in everyday conversation.

Technical

Not used in technical fields outside specific biblical scholarship.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “bildad”

Strong

Job's comforterthe traditionalist

Neutral

the Shuhite

Weak

one of the friendsthe second speaker

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “bildad”

  • Mispronouncing it as /baɪlˈdæd/ or /ˈbɪldəd/
  • Using it as a common noun.
  • Confusing him with Eliphaz or Zophar, Job's other friends.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is extremely rare. It is used almost exclusively as a reference to the biblical figure.

The standard pronunciation is /ˈbɪldæd/, with the stress on the first syllable.

Yes, as it is a proper noun found in a major English-language reference work (the Bible), it is typically an allowable word in Scrabble and similar word games.

Bildad argued from a traditional perspective that God is just, and therefore Job's profound suffering must be conclusive proof of some hidden, serious sin that Job needed to repent of.

A proper noun referring to one of Job's three friends in the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible.

Bildad is usually formal / literary / biblical in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

BILDAD: Bildad's Arguments Lead to Disagreement And Discomfort.

Conceptual Metaphor

N/A (Proper noun with no established metaphorical mappings).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the Book of Job, one of the three friends who debates with him is named .
Multiple Choice

What is Bildad best known for?