Job 35:5

5 See thou, and behold (the) heaven(s) (and look at the sky), and behold thou the air, and know that God is higher than thou. [Behold heaven, and look, and mindfully see the clouds, (all) that is higher than thou.]

Job 35:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 35:5

Look unto the heavens, and see
The firmament of heaven, in which are the sun and moon and stars:

and behold the clouds [which] are higher than thou;
the clouds of the air or sky, which are lower than the starry heavens, yet these were higher than Job, and much more the starry heavens: but because the word has the signification of "thinness", which does not so well agree with the clouds, which are thick substances, condensed air; some take it to be meant of the supreme region of the heavens, which is pure and thin; so Sephorno: and Job is directed to look to these, not as stargazers do, such as are given to judicial astrology, to judge of the fates of men and kingdoms; but rather thereby to be led to the contemplation of God the author of them, and the glorious perfections of his being they display; and chiefly to observe the height of them, that they were out of his reach, and he could neither help them nor hurt them; that he could neither increase nor diminish the light of the celestial bodies, which he could only behold; nor either advance or hinder their course, nor in the least add to or abate their influence and efficacy; and if he could neither be beneficial nor harmful to them, how was it possible that he could be of any advantage or detriment to God, by any actions of his, good or bad, who is higher and out of sight? This is the answer Elihu in general returned, he more particularly replies as follows.

Job 35:5 In-Context

3 For thou saidest, That, that is good, pleaseth not thee; either what profiteth it to thee, if I do sin? (For thou hast said, What is good, pleaseth thee not; or what profiteth it to me, if I do not sin?)
4 Therefore I shall answer to thy words, and to thy friends with thee.
5 See thou, and behold (the) heaven(s) (and look at the sky), and behold thou the air, and know that God is higher than thou. [Behold heaven, and look, and mindfully see the clouds, (all) that is higher than thou.]
6 If thou sinnest, what shalt thou harm him? and if thy wickednesses be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him? (If thou sinnest, what harm shalt thou do to him? and if thy wickednesses be multiplied, what shalt thou do to him?)
7 Certainly if thou doest justly, what shalt thou give to him; either what shall he take of thine hand? (And if thou doest righteously, what shalt thou give him? or what shall he receive from thy hand?)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.