Job 37:23

We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

BSB

The Almighty is beyond our reach; He is exalted in power! In His justice and great righteousness He does not oppress.

KJV

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

ASV

[Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict.

BBE

There is no searching out of the Ruler of all: his strength and his judging are great; he is full of righteousness, doing no wrong.

YLT

The Mighty! we have not found Him out, High in power and judgment, He doth not answer! And abundant in righteousness,

DARBY

The Almighty, we cannot find him out: excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice, he doth not afflict.

Original Hebrew

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שַׁדַּי sha·dai [the] Almighty noun H7706 לֹא־ lo'- not particle H3808 מְצָאנֻהוּ me·tza·nu·hu we have found him verb · qal · perfect H4672 שַׂגִּיא־ sa·gi'- exalted of adjective · construct H7689 כֹחַ kho·ach power noun · absolute H3581 וּמִשְׁפָּט u·mish·pat and justice noun · absolute H4941 וְרֹב־ ve·rov- and greatness of noun · construct H7230 צְדָקָה tze·da·kah righteousness noun · absolute H6666 לֹא lo' not particle H3808 יְעַנֶּה ye·'a·neh he violates verb · piel · imperfect H6031
Study this passageThe verses around Job 37:23: translations side by side, notes, key words and a guided study

Study notes

Whole chapter

On this verse

On this section Job 32:1–37:24

Elihu was younger than Job’s other friends. It’s thought that he was also from Edom. Elihu was angry at Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. They hadn’t fully answered Job or shown how Job was wrong.

Elihu thought that it was wrong for Job to question God. He thought that Job believed he was right and that God was wrong. This made Elihu angry. But the answer he gave about Job’s suffering was like the answers of the others. Elihu believed that God allowed Job to suffer in order to correct him. The suffering was seen as a warning to keep Job from sinning. Elihu thought that this would save Job from being put to death for his sins.

Elihu understood that God never does anything evil, wrong or unfair. So he thought it was wrong for Job to think that God treated him unfairly. He thought that this showed that Job was full of pride. Elihu understood that God has complete power over everything. God is the Creator who made the world and everything in it. God is the only one able to keep the life of the world going. For Elihu, this meant that people can’t understand God’s reasons for doing something. So he thought that people shouldn’t ask questions about God’s reasons.

Tyndale Open Study Notes (adapted by Mission Mutual) and Biblica Study Notes, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Commentary

Henry (concise) · Verses 21–24

Elihu concludes his discourse with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often darken our minds, the Lord hath a wind which passes and clears them away. What is that wind? It is his Holy Spirit. As the wind dispels and sweeps away the clouds which are gathered in the air, so the Spirit of God clears our souls from the clouds and fogs of ignorance and unbelief, of sin and lust. From all these clouds the Holy Spirit of God frees us in the work of regeneration. And from all the clouds which trouble our consciences, the Holy Spirit sets us free in the work of consolation. Now that God is about to speak, Elihu delivers a few words, as the sum of all his discourse. With God is terrible majesty. Sooner or later all men shall fear him.

Read Henry (concise) on Job 37 →

What other commentators say on this verse

Henry (complete)Verses 21–24JFBVerse 23ClarkeVerse 23WesleyVerse 23Geneva notesVerses 23–24

Cross-references

33

Topics

GodIgnorance

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.