CINXE.COM

Job 38:2 "Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?

<!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 38:2 "Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/38-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/18_Job_38_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 38:2 - God Challenges Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?" /><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/38-2.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/38-2.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/38.htm">Chapter 38</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/38-1.htm" title="Job 38:1">&#9668;</a> Job 38:2 <a href="/job/38-3.htm" title="Job 38:3">&#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/38.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/38.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who <i>is</i> this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Who <i>is</i> this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this who darkens <i>the divine</i> plan By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is this who obscures My counsel with ignorant words? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why do you talk so much when you know so little? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/38.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />"Who is this that belittles my advice with words that do not show any knowledge [about it]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Who is this who keeps darkening my counsel without knowing what he's talking about?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Who [is] this&#8212;darkening counsel, "" By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who is this -- darkening counsel, By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who this darkening counsel in words without knowledge?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who is this that wrappeth up sentences in unskillful words? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who is this that wraps sentences in unskilled words?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who is this who darkens counsel with words of ignorance? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who is this that gives counsel by words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />&#8220;Who is this who devises doctrine in words without knowledge?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in <i>his</i> heart, and thinks to conceal <i>them</i> from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/38-2.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=5864" 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/38.htm">God Challenges Job</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: m&#238; (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">&#8220;Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">is this</a> <a href="/hebrew/2821.htm" title="2821: ma&#7717;&#183;&#353;&#238;&#7733; (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be or grow dark. A primitive root; to be dark; transitively, to darken.">who obscures</a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: &#8216;&#234;&#183;&#7779;&#257;h (N-fs) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">My counsel</a> <a href="/hebrew/4405.htm" title="4405: &#7687;&#601;&#183;mil&#183;l&#238;n (Prep-b:: N-fp) -- A word, speech, utterance. From malal">by words</a> <a href="/hebrew/1097.htm" title="1097: b&#601;&#183;l&#238;- (Adv) -- From balah; properly, failure, i.e. Nothing or destruction; usually without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/1847.htm" title="1847: &#7695;&#257;&#183;&#8216;a&#7791; (N-fs) -- Knowledge. From yada'; knowledge.">knowledge?</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.&#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="/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="/job/34-35.htm">Job 34:35</a></span><br />&#8216;Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/35-16.htm">Job 35:16</a></span><br />So Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2</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="crossverse"><a href="/job/40-8.htm">Job 40:8</a></span><br />Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Isaiah 40:14</a></span><br />Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />&#8220;For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,&#8221; declares the LORD. / &#8220;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="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2-4</a></span><br />Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. / I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. / Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son&#8212;surely you know!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2</a></span><br />Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-7.htm">Jeremiah 49:7</a></span><br />Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: &#8220;Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?<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! / &#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/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19-20</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God&#8217;s sight. As it is written: &#8220;He catches the wise in their craftiness.&#8221; / And again, &#8220;The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm">1 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13</a></span><br />Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-3.htm">Job 12:3</a></b></br> But I have understanding as well as you; I <i>am</i> not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-4.htm">Job 23:4,5</a></b></br> I would order <i>my</i> cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/24-25.htm">Job 24:25</a></b></br> And if <i>it be</i> not <i>so</i> now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/29-21.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/job/37-21.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/job/37-15.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/job/36-5.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/37-19.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/42-3.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/job/38-17.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/job/39-7.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/job/39-16.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/41-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Job 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/38-1.htm">God challenges Job to answer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/38-4.htm">God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/38-31.htm">and weakness</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/38.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/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>Who is this</b><br>This phrase introduces a divine challenge from God, marking a shift in the narrative where God directly addresses Job. It emphasizes God's authority and the beginning of a discourse that will reveal divine wisdom. This question sets the stage for a series of rhetorical questions that highlight human limitations compared to divine omniscience.<p><b>who obscures My counsel</b><br>The term "obscures" suggests a distortion or misunderstanding of God's plans and purposes. In the context of Job, it implies that human reasoning and suffering have clouded the understanding of God's greater design. This echoes themes found in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding. The "counsel" refers to God's divine plan, which is often hidden from human perception but is perfect and sovereign.<p><b>by words without knowledge?</b><br>This phrase critiques the inadequacy of human wisdom when it is not grounded in divine revelation. Job and his friends have spoken extensively about suffering and justice, yet their understanding is limited. This mirrors the wisdom literature theme found in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which advises trust in the Lord over one's own understanding. The phrase underscores the importance of humility and the recognition of human limitations in the face of divine wisdom.<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 severe trials and questioning God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator who responds to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding and questioning his ability to comprehend divine wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_whirlwind.htm">The Whirlwind</a></b><br>A powerful natural phenomenon through which God speaks to Job, symbolizing God's majesty and the overwhelming nature of His presence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often lacking true understanding of God's ways.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_counsel_of_god.htm">The Counsel of God</a></b><br>Refers to God's divine plan and wisdom, which is beyond human comprehension and is being obscured by Job's and his friends' limited understanding.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_understanding.htm">The Limitations of Human Understanding</a></b><br>Recognize that human wisdom is limited and often fails to grasp the full scope of God's plans and purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, acknowledging that His wisdom and knowledge far exceed our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trusting in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances are difficult to understand or seem unjust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_presumption.htm">The Dangers of Presumption</a></b><br>Avoid presuming to fully understand God's ways or to speak on His behalf without true knowledge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_divine_wisdom.htm">Seeking Divine Wisdom</a></b><br>Seek wisdom from God through prayer and study of Scripture, rather than relying solely on human reasoning.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_christmas_originally_pagan.htm">Why does God pose questions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_pose_questions.htm">Why does God pose questions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_lessons_does_job's_life_teach_us.htm">What lessons does Job's life teach us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_38_22_misinterpret_snow.htm">Does Job 38:22's reference to 'storehouses of snow' suggest a misunderstanding of meteorology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/38.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Who is this?</span>--The question may be answered by Job's own words (<a href="/job/14-1.htm" title="Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.">Job 14:1</a>). It is a man as so described, a dying and enfeebled man, like Job himself, not even a man in his best estate, but one so persecuted and exhausted as Job: one, therefore, altogether unequal to the task he has undertaken.<p><span class= "bld">That darkeneth counsel.</span>--That is, probably, <span class= "ital">my counsel, </span>which was the matter under debate. The words, however, are often used proverbially in a general sense. Such discussions, carried on, as they cannot but be, in entire ignorance by blind mortals, must to God's omniscience seem thus, and cannot be otherwise than the darkening of counsel by words without knowledge.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?</span> It is very noticeable that God entirely ignores the reasonings of Elihu, and addresses himself, in the first instance, wholly to Job, with whom he begins by remonstrating. Job has not been without fault. He has spoken many "words without knowledge" or with insufficient knowledge, and has thus trenched on irreverence, and given the enemies of God occasion to blaspheme. Moreover, he has "darkened counsel." Instead of making the ways of God clear to his friends and companions, he has east doubts upon God's moral government (<a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-26</a>), upon his mercy and loving-kindness (<a href="/job/16-7.htm">Job 16:7-14</a>), almost upon his justice (<a href="/job/19-7.htm">Job 19:7</a>; <a href="/job/31-1.htm">Job 31:1-35</a>). He is thus open to censure, and receives censure, and owns himself "vile" (<a href="/job/40-4.htm">Job 40:4</a>), before peace and reconciliation can be established. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/38-2.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;Who</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1460;&#1444;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#238;)</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">is this</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1494;&#1462;&#1448;&#1492; &#1472;</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who obscures</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1463;&#1495;&#1456;&#1513;&#1473;&#1460;&#1430;&#1497;&#1498;&#1456;</span> <span class="translit">(ma&#7717;&#183;&#353;&#238;&#7733;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2821.htm">Strong's 2821: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dark, to darken</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My counsel</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1461;&#1510;&#1464;&#1445;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;&#234;&#183;&#7779;&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> </span><span class="str2">Advice, plan, prudence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by words</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1456;&#1502;&#1460;&#1500;&#1468;&#1460;&#1431;&#1497;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7687;&#601;&#183;mil&#183;l&#238;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4405.htm">Strong's 4405: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a discourse, a topic</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1469;&#1500;&#1460;&#1497;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;l&#238;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knowledge?</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1491;&#1464;&#1469;&#1506;&#1463;&#1514;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7695;&#257;&#183;&#8216;a&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1847.htm">Strong's 1847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Knowledge</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/38-2.htm">OT Poetry: Job 38:2 Who is this who darkens counsel (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/38-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 38:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 38:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/38-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 38:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 38:3" /></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