CINXE.COM

Job 40:2 "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer."

<!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 40:2 "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/40-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/18_Job_40_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 40:2 - Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/40-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/40-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/40.htm">Chapter 40</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/40-1.htm" title="Job 40:1">&#9668;</a> Job 40:2 <a href="/job/40-3.htm" title="Job 40:3">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Heb&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />&#8220;Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God&#8217;s critic, but do you have the answers?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct <i>him</i>? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct <i>Him?</i> He who rebukes God, let him answer it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who rebukes God give an answer.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />&#8220;Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who disputes with God answer it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who argues with God give an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God give an answer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but you have argued that I am wrong. Now you must answer me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? he that argueth with God, let him answer it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/40.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />"Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him? Will the person who argues with God answer him?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Should the one who is fighting the Almighty find fault with him? Let God's accuser answer."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Shall he who argues contend with Shaddai? He who argues with God, let him answer it."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Is the striver with the Mighty instructed? The reprover of God, let him answer it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Is the striver with the Mighty instructed? The reprover of God, let him answer it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall he contending with the Almighty, instruct? he reproving God shall answer it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? surely he that reproveth God, ought to answer him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 39:32>Will he who contends with God be so easily silenced? Certainly, he who argues with God must also respond to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Will one who argues with the Almighty be corrected? Let him who would instruct God give answer! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Anyone who argues with God must respond.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Many are the counsels of God; he who reproves God must answer for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />&#8220;Many are the counselors of God, and he who rebukes God gives an answer!&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Shall he that reproveth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.Will <i>any one</i> pervert judgment with the Mighty One? and he that reproves God, let him return it for answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/40-2.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=6266" 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/40.htm">Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>And the LORD said to Job: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3250.htm" title="3250: yis&#183;s&#333;&#183;wr (N-ms) -- One who reproves, faultfinder. From yacar; a reprover.">&#8220;Will the faultfinder</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: ha&#774;&#183;r&#333;&#7687; (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: &#8216;im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/7706.htm" title="7706: &#353;ad&#183;day (N-proper-ms) -- The Almighty. From shadad; the Almighty.">the Almighty?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3198.htm" title="3198: m&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7733;&#238;&#183;a&#7717; (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To decide, adjudge, prove. A primitive root; to be right; reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict.">Let him who argues</a> <a href="/hebrew/433.htm" title="433: &#8217;&#277;&#183;l&#333;&#183;w&#183;ah (N-ms) -- God, god. Probably prolonged From 'el; a deity or the Deity.">with God</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ya&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;nen&#183;n&#257;h (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 3fse) -- To answer, respond.">give an answer.&#8221;</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Then Job answered the LORD:&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker&#8212;one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, &#8216;What are you making?&#8217; Does your work say, &#8216;He has no hands&#8217;?<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, &#8220;Why did You make me like this?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3</a></span><br />If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a></span><br />Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a></span><br />You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, &#8220;He did not make me&#8221;? Can the pottery say of the potter, &#8220;He has no understanding&#8221;?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></span><br />&#8220;O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter&#8217;s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-22.htm">1 Corinthians 10:22</a></span><br />Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/42-3.htm">Job 42:3</a></span><br />You asked, &#8216;Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?&#8217; Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a></span><br />But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-34.htm">Romans 11:34</a></span><br />&#8220;Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-16.htm">1 Corinthians 2:16</a></span><br />&#8220;For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?&#8221; But we have the mind of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/13-3.htm">Job 13:3</a></span><br />Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-4.htm">Job 23:4</a></span><br />I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35</a></span><br />(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Shall he that contends with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproves God, let him answer it.</p><p class="hdg">Shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3</a></b></br> If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a></b></br> Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:10</a></b></br> That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it <i>is</i> man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.</p><p class="hdg">instruct</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Isaiah 40:14</a></b></br> With whom took he counsel, and <i>who</i> instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/2-16.htm">1 Corinthians 2:16</a></b></br> For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.</p><p class="hdg">he that reproveth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11,12,20,23</a></b></br> Why died I not from the womb? <i>why</i> did I <i>not</i> give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/7-12.htm">Job 7:12,19-21</a></b></br> <i>Am</i> I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-17.htm">Job 9:17,18,32-35</a></b></br> For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/22-14.htm">Accuses</a> <a href="/job/37-23.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/job/32-14.htm">Arguments</a> <a href="/job/33-13.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/job/13-19.htm">Contendeth</a> <a href="/daniel/10-21.htm">Contends</a> <a href="/job/6-26.htm">Correct</a> <a href="/job/33-13.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/job/38-3.htm">Instruct</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-1.htm">Protesting</a> <a href="/job/22-4.htm">Reproves</a> <a href="/job/22-4.htm">Reproveth</a> <a href="/job/37-23.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/job/36-10.htm">Teaching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Accuses</a> <a href="/psalms/24-10.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/psalms/38-14.htm">Arguments</a> <a href="/psalms/18-26.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Contendeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-25.htm">Contends</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Correct</a> <a href="/psalms/5-3.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Instruct</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-7.htm">Protesting</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-12.htm">Reproves</a> <a href="/psalms/105-14.htm">Reproveth</a> <a href="/psalms/8-6.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/psalms/2-10.htm">Teaching</a><div class="vheading2">Job 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/40-1.htm">Job humbles himself to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/40-6.htm">God stirs him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/40-16.htm">Of the behemoth</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/job/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?</b><br>This phrase addresses the audacity of a human questioning God's actions or decisions. In the context of the Book of Job, Job has been questioning God's justice and the reasons for his suffering. The term "faultfinder" suggests someone who is critical or accusatory. The rhetorical question implies the futility of such an endeavor, as God is omnipotent and omniscient. This echoes the theme found in <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a>, where it is stated, "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker." The Almighty, a title for God, emphasizes His supreme power and authority, reminding the reader of the vast difference between human and divine understanding.<p><b>Let him who argues with God give an answer.</b><br>This phrase challenges the one who disputes with God to respond or justify their arguments. It highlights the human tendency to question divine will, yet it also underscores the limitations of human wisdom compared to God's infinite knowledge. This is reminiscent of God's challenge to Job in the subsequent verses, where God questions Job's understanding of creation and the natural world. The call to "give an answer" is not just a demand for a verbal response but an invitation to reflect on one's position before God. This can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament teaching in <a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20</a>, where Paul asks, "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?" It points to the necessity of humility and submission to God's will, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways.<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, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (The Almighty)</a></b><br>The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who engages in a dialogue with Job, challenging his understanding and perspective.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>This verse is part of a larger discourse where God responds to Job's complaints and questions, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_sovereignty.htm">Understanding God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. We must approach Him with humility, acknowledging our limited understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_contending_with_god.htm">The Futility of Contending with God</a></b><br>Arguing with God is futile because His wisdom and plans are perfect. Trust in His divine purpose, even when circumstances are challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Embrace a posture of humility before God. Accept that we may not always understand His ways, but we can trust His character and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_god's_questions.htm">Responding to God's Questions</a></b><br>When God challenges us, it is an opportunity for growth and deeper faith. Reflect on His questions and seek to align your heart with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_midst_of_suffering.htm">Faith in the Midst of Suffering</a></b><br>Like Job, we may face trials that test our faith. Use these moments to deepen your reliance on God, trusting that He is working for your good.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_5_17's_view_on_suffering_contradict_other_scriptures.htm">In Job 5:17, why is suffering portrayed as proof of divine discipline, and does this contradict other scriptures where suffering occurs without such a cause?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_god's_direct_talk_with_job.htm">Job 40:1-5: What historical or archaeological evidence supports such a direct, extended conversation between God and a single individual like Job?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_question_god_in_job_10_2.htm">In Job 10:2, why does Job challenge God to clarify his wrongdoing if God is all-knowing and just?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_if_one_rejects_belief_in_god.htm">What does being rescued from mud and mire mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XL.</span><p>(2) <span class= "bld">Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">Can he that reproveth </span>(<span class= "ital">e. g., </span>Job) <span class= "ital">contend with the Almighty? </span>or, <span class= "ital">Can the contending with the Almighty instruct Him? </span>"Art thou prepared still to dispute and contend with God? or, if thou dost, is there any hope that thou wilt instruct (<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, convince) Him in argument? Let him that argueth with God (<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>Job) answer this question." It might, perhaps, tend to make these verses (<a href="/context/job/40-4.htm" title="Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer you? I will lay my hand on my mouth.">Job 40:4-5</a>) more effective if we transposed them after <a href="/job/42-6.htm" title="Why I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.">Job 42:6</a>, and regarded them as the very climax of the poem, as some have done. But this is not necessary, and is an arrangement that has no support from external evidence. If, however, it were adopted, Job's resolution, "Once have I spoken; but I will speak no more: yea, twice; but I will not again" (<a href="/job/40-5.htm" title="Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yes, twice; but I will proceed no further.">Job 40:5</a>), would not be literally inconsistent, as it now is, with what he says in <a href="/context/job/42-1.htm" title="Then Job answered the LORD, and said,">Job 42:1-6</a>.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/40-2.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">&#8220;Will the faultfinder</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1460;&#1505;&#1468;&#1425;&#1493;&#1465;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(yis&#183;s&#333;&#183;wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3250.htm">Strong's 3250: </a> </span><span class="str2">One who reproves, faultfinder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">contend</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1458;&#1453;&#1512;&#1465;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(ha&#774;&#183;r&#333;&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1460;&#1501;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Almighty?</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1463;&#1491;&#1468;&#1463;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;ad&#183;day)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7706.htm">Strong's 7706: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Let him who argues</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1493;&#1465;&#1499;&#1460;&#1430;&#1497;&#1495;&#1463;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7733;&#238;&#183;a&#7717;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3198.htm">Strong's 3198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with God</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1457;&#1500;&#1443;&#1493;&#1465;&#1492;&#1468;&#1463;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#277;&#183;l&#333;&#183;w&#183;ah)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_433.htm">Strong's 433: </a> </span><span class="str2">God -- a deity, the Deity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">give an answer.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1463;&#1506;&#1458;&#1504;&#1462;&#1469;&#1504;&#1468;&#1464;&#1492;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(ya&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;nen&#183;n&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular &#124; third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/40-2.htm">OT Poetry: Job 40:2 Shall he who argues contend (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/40-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 40:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 40:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/40-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 40:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 40:3" /></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>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10