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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 9:4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/9-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/18_Job_09_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 9:4 - Job: How Can I Argue with God?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. 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Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He is wise in heart and mighty in strength—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>He is</i> wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened <i>himself</i> against him, and hath prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>God is</i> wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened <i>himself</i> against Him and prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Wise in heart and mighty in power, Who has stiffened <i>his neck</i> against Him and been at peace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“<i>God</i> is wise in heart and mighty in strength; Who has [ever] defied <i>or</i> challenged Him and remained unharmed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed him and come out unharmed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed Him and come out unharmed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God is wise and powerful--who could possibly oppose him and win? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"God is wise in heart and mighty in power. Who could oppose him and win?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God is so wise and powerful; no one can stand up against him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He is wise in heart and strong in will— who can be stubborn against him and succeed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He is wise in heart and mighty in strength--who has resisted him and remained safe? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For he is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Wise in heart and strong in power—Who has hardened toward Him and is at peace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wise in heart and strong in power -- Who hath hardened toward Him and is at peace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wise of heart and strong of power: who was hard before him and shall be requited?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath resisted him, and hath had peace ? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He is understanding in heart and mighty in strength; who has resisted him and yet had peace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has withstood him and remained whole? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength —who has resisted him, and succeeded?—<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has hardened himself against him, and had peace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He is wise of heart and mighty in power; who is hardened against him and has peace?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; Who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For he is wise in mind, and mighty, and great: who has hardened himself against him and endured?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/9-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=1301" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Job: How Can I Argue with God?</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: ḥă·ḵam (Adj-msc) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">God is wise</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lê·ḇāḇ (N-ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">in heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/533.htm" title="533: wə·’am·mîṣ (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- Mighty. Or ammits; from 'amats; strong or strength.">and mighty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: kō·aḥ (N-ms) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">in strength.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7185.htm" title="7185: hiq·šāh (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To be hard, severe or fierce. A primitive root; properly, to be dense, i.e. Tough or severe.">has resisted</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7999.htm" title="7999: way·yiš·lām (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to be safe; figuratively, to be completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate.">and prospered?</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>He moves mountains without their knowledge and overturns them in His anger.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-34</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-19.htm">Jeremiah 32:19</a></span><br />the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/147-5.htm">Psalm 147:5</a></span><br />Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a></span><br />There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20</a></span><br />But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:13</a></span><br />Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-27.htm">Isaiah 14:27</a></span><br />The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-10.htm">Psalm 33:10-11</a></span><br />The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a></span><br />I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and has prospered?</p><p class="hdg">wise in heart</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19</a></b></br> If <i>I speak</i> of strength, lo, <i>he is</i> strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time <i>to plead</i>?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/36-5.htm">Job 36:5</a></b></br> Behold, God <i>is</i> mighty, and despiseth not <i>any: he is</i> mighty in strength <i>and</i> wisdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24</a></b></br> O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.</p><p class="hdg">who hath hardened</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-10.htm">Job 6:10</a></b></br> Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-23.htm">Job 15:23-27</a></b></br> He wandereth abroad for bread, <i>saying</i>, Where <i>is it</i>? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-9.htm">Job 40:9</a></b></br> Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">Defied</a> <a href="/job/6-28.htm">Face</a> <a href="/job/7-7.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/8-7.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/7-15.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/job/5-19.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/job/8-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/job/8-5.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/6-24.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/job/8-4.htm">Power</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">Profound</a> <a href="/ezra/6-14.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/1_john/4-4.htm">Resisted</a> <a href="/job/8-16.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/job/8-2.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-20.htm">Succeeded</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Unscathed</a> <a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/job/8-10.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/job/8-11.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm">Defied</a> <a href="/job/9-24.htm">Face</a> <a href="/job/9-15.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/9-10.htm">Great</a> <a href="/job/10-10.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/job/39-16.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/job/10-13.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/92-5.htm">Profound</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/daniel/10-13.htm">Resisted</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Succeeded</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Unscathed</a> <a href="/job/38-18.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/job/11-6.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/job/11-12.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Job 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/9-1.htm">Job acknowledges God's justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>God is wise in heart</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's profound wisdom, which is not merely intellectual but deeply rooted in His character and being. In biblical context, wisdom is often associated with God's ability to create and sustain the universe (<a href="/proverbs/3-19.htm">Proverbs 3:19-20</a>). The heart, in Hebrew thought, is the center of intellect and emotion, indicating that God's wisdom is both perfect and compassionate. This aligns with passages like <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28</a>, which speaks of God's understanding being unsearchable.<p><b>and mighty in strength.</b><br>God's strength is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting His omnipotence. This strength is evident in creation (Genesis 1), in His deliverance of Israel from Egypt (<a href="/exodus/15-6.htm">Exodus 15:6</a>), and in His ongoing sovereignty over the nations (<a href="/psalms/46-6.htm">Psalm 46:6</a>). The combination of wisdom and strength assures believers of God's ability to execute His perfect will. This dual attribute is also seen in Jesus Christ, who is described as the power and wisdom of God (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>).<p><b>Who has resisted Him and prospered?</b><br>This rhetorical question underscores the futility of opposing God. Throughout biblical history, those who have resisted God, such as Pharaoh (Exodus 5-14) and the nations opposing Israel (Psalm 2), have ultimately failed. This phrase serves as a warning and a reminder of God's ultimate authority and justice. It also points to the eschatological reality where every knee will bow to Christ (<a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Philippians 2:10-11</a>), affirming that resistance to God is ultimately in vain.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator, characterized in this verse as wise and mighty. Job acknowledges God's supreme power and wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the broader account. They attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, which Job challenges.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>Earlier in the book, this is where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for Job's trials.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_incomparable_wisdom_and_strength.htm">God's Incomparable Wisdom and Strength</a></b><br>Recognize that God's wisdom and strength are beyond human comprehension. This should lead us to trust in His plans, even when we do not understand them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_resisting_god.htm">The Futility of Resisting God</a></b><br>Understand that resisting God's will is ultimately futile. Aligning ourselves with His purposes leads to true prosperity, not necessarily in material terms, but in spiritual growth and fulfillment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, acknowledging our limitations and His sovereignty. This humility is the foundation of a right relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>In times of trial, like Job, we should trust in God's sovereign control over all circumstances, knowing that His wisdom and strength are at work for our good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_god's_attributes.htm">Reflecting on God's Attributes</a></b><br>Regularly meditate on God's attributes—His wisdom, strength, and sovereignty—to deepen our faith and reliance on Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_a_wise_god_allow_suffering.htm">In Job 9:4, how can an all-powerful God allow innocent suffering if He is truly wise and mighty? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_12_6_align_with_wicked's_fate.htm">In Job 12:6, how does the idea that 'the tents of robbers are at peace' harmonize with other scriptures that insist the wicked are eventually punished?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_let_the_wicked_thrive.htm">Why does a just God allow the wicked to thrive openly without immediate consequence? (Psalm 10:2)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_1_3_align_with_believers'_hardships.htm">How does Psalm 1:3, which promises the righteous will prosper, align with the observable reality that many devout believers still suffer hardships?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - He is <span class="cmt_word">wise in heart, and mighty in strength</span>. The sense is strengthened if we omit "he is," and render, <span class="accented">Wise</span> <span class="accented">in heart</span>, <span class="accented">and mighty in strength</span>, <span class="accented">who hath hardened</span> etc.? God's combination of perfect wisdom with infinite strength renders it hopeless for any man to contend with him. <span class="cmt_word">Who hath hardened himself against him; and hath prospered?</span> Job fully admits the wisdom of all that Eliphaz (<a href="/job/4-17.htm">Job 4:17</a>) and Bildad (<a href="/job/8-3.htm">Job 8:3-6</a>) have said, or hinted, with respect to his inability wholly to justify himself. No one has ever taken this line of absolute self-justification, and prospered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/9-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">[God is] wise</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲכַ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ḵam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֭בָב</span> <span class="translit">(lê·ḇāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mighty</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַמִּ֣יץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’am·mîṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_533.htm">Strong's 533: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strong, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in strength.</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(kō·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(mî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has hardened [himself]</span><br /><span class="heb">הִקְשָׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hiq·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7185.htm">Strong's 7185: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hard, severe or fierce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against Him</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֝לָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and prospered?</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7999.htm">Strong's 7999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/9-4.htm">OT Poetry: Job 9:4 God who is wise in heart (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/9-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 9:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 9:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/9-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 9:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 9:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>