22 Bildad is not calling for Job to trace through the learning of antiquity, but of the most recent former generation. Hebrews were fond of recalling what the “fathers” had taught, for each generation recalled what their fathers had taught.
23 The verb כוֹנֵן (khonen, from כּוּן, kun) normally would indicate “prepare yourself” or “fix” one’s heart on something, i.e., give attention to it. The verb with the ל (lamed) preposition after it does mean “to think on” or “to meditate” (Isa 51:13). But some commentators wish to change the ךּ (kaf) to a בּ (bet) in the verb to get “to consider” (from בִּין, bin). However, M. Dahood shows a connection between כּנן (knn) and שׁאל (sh’l) in Ugaritic (“Hebrew-Ugaritic Lexicography,” 46 [1965]: 329).
24 The Hebrew has “the search of their fathers,” but the word is probably intended to mean what that observation or search yielded (so “search” is a metonymy of cause).
25 Heb “fathers.”
26 The Hebrew has “we are of yesterday,” the adverb functioning as a predicate. Bildad’s point is that they have not had time to acquire great knowledge because they are recent.
27 E. Dhorme (Job, 116) observes that the shadow is the symbol of ephemeral things (14:2; 17:7; Ps 144:4). The shadow passes away quickly (116).
28 The sentence begins emphatically: “Is it not they.”
29 The “and” is not present in the line. The second clause seems to be in apposition to the first, explaining it more thoroughly: “Is it not they [who] will instruct you, [who] will speak to you.”
30 The noun may have been left indeterminate for the sake of emphasis ( §125.c), meaning “important words.”
31 Heb “from their heart.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“For inquire, please, of bygone ages,

and consider what the fathers have searched out.

For we are but of yesterday and know nothing,

for our days on earth are a shadow.

Will they not teach you and tell you

and utter words out of their understanding?

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Ask the former generation

and find out what their ancestors learned,

for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,

and our days on earth are but a shadow.

Will they not instruct you and tell you?

Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For ask the previous generation,

and pay attention to what their ancestors discovered,

since we were born only yesterday and know nothing.

Our days on earth are but a shadow.

Will they not teach you and tell you

and speak from their understanding?

NLTNew Living Translation

“Just ask the previous generation.

Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.

For we were born but yesterday and know nothing.

Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.

But those who came before us will teach you.

They will teach you the wisdom of old.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Indeed, please inquire of former generations,

and consider what their ancestors have found,

for we are of yesterday, and we do not know,

for our days on earth are a shadow.

Will they themselves not teach you and tell you

and utter words from their heart?

KJV 1900King James Version

For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age,

And prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing,

Because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee,

And utter words out of their heart?

Public Domain