BALDAD (Hebr. Bildadh). – One of the three figures (with Eliphaz and Sophar) who Job (v.), to comfort him in his misfortunes (Iob 2:11; 8:1; 18:1; 25:1; 42:9).
He is called “the Shuhite,” Hebr. hat-Sühl; ὁ Σαυγίτης in the Septuagint. According to cuneiform documents, the Suhi tribe lived on the banks of the Euphrates, south of Carchemish and north of Arabia.
In the first of the three debates between Job and his friends, B. supports Eliphaz’s thesis, according to which every suffering is a punishment for personal sins. Whoever, however, repents can recover his former prosperity; the righteous, moreover, enjoys special divine protection (Iob 8). In the second debate, B. vividly depicts the prosperity of the wicked man, who ultimately falls under severe calamities, remains isolated, and is deprived of descendants (Iob 18). In the third, with a few phrases he contrasts the power of God with man’s nothingness (Iob 25:2–6).
In B.’s speeches, vivid and imaginative description prevails over reflection. He props up Eliphaz’s ideas with the authority of the ancient sages. Only in the final debate, overcome by the soundness of Job’s arguments, does he soften the bitter tone with which he had previously argued. In the end, at the divine command, he joins the other friends in publicly rendering justice to the great sufferer.