Job 40:1-14

Job: What Can I Say?

1 Then the LORD said * to Job,
2 "Will the faultfinder 1contend with the Almighty? Let him who 2reproves God answer it."
3 Then Job answered the LORD and said,
4 "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I 3lay my hand on my mouth.
5 "Once I have spoken, and 4I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."

God Questions Job

6 Then the 5LORD answered Job out of the storm and said,
7 "Now 6gird up your loins like a man; I will 7ask you, and you instruct Me.
8 "Will you really 8annul My judgment? Will you 9condemn Me 10that you may be justified?
9 "Or do you have an arm like God, And can you 11thunder with a voice like His?
10 "12Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity, And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
11 "Pour out 13the overflowings of your anger, And look on everyone who is 14proud, and make him low.
12 "Look on everyone who is proud, and 15humble him, And 16tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 "17Hide them in the dust together; Bind them in the hidden place.
14 "Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you.

Job 40:1-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 40

In this chapter Job is called upon to give in his answer, Job 40:1,2, which he does in the most humble manner, acknowledging his vileness and folly, Job 40:3-5; and then the Lord proceeds to give him further conviction of his superior justice and power, Job 40:6-9; and one thing he proposes to him, to humble the proud, if he could, and then he would own his own right hand could save him, Job 40:10-15; and observes to him another instance of his power in a creature called behemoth, which he had made, and gives a description of, Job 40:15-24.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Job 9:3; Job 10:2; Job 33:13; Isaiah 45:9
  • 2. Job 13:3; Job 23:4; Job 31:35
  • 3. Job 21:5; Job 29:9
  • 4. Job 9:3, 15
  • 5. Job 38:1
  • 6. Job 38:3
  • 7. Job 38:3; Job 42:4
  • 8. Romans 3:4
  • 9. Job 10:3, 7; Job 16:11; Job 19:6; Job 27:2
  • 10. Job 13:18; Job 27:6
  • 11. Job 37:5; Psalms 29:3
  • 12. Psalms 93:1; Psalms 104:1
  • 13. Isaiah 42:25; Nahum 1:6, 8
  • 14. Isaiah 2:12; Daniel 4:37
  • 15. 1 Samuel 2:7; Isaiah 2:12; Isaiah 13:11; Daniel 4:37
  • 16. Isaiah 63:3
  • 17. Isaiah 2:10-12

Footnotes 3

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