Job 40:1-12

1 The Lord answered Job:

2 Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct [Him]? Let him who argues with God give an answer.^[a]

3 Then Job answered the Lord:

4 I am so insignificant. How can I answer You? I place my hand over my mouth.^[b]

5 I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice,^[c] but [now] I can add nothing.

6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:^[d]

7 Get ready to answer Me like a man; When I question you, you will inform Me.^[e]

8 Would you really challenge My justice? Would you declare Me guilty to justify yourself?^[f]

9 Do you have an arm^[g] like God's? Can you thunder with a voice like His?

10 Adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.^[h]

11 Unleash your raging anger; look on every proud person and humiliate him.^[i]

12 Look on every proud person and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.^[j][k]

Job 40:1-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit God respond to it
• [b] Jb 21:5; 29:9; 31:14
• [c] Jb 33:14
• [d] Jb 38:1; 2 Kg 2:1,11; Ezk 1:4
• [e] Jb 38:3
• [f] Jb 9:20; 13:18; 22:3
• [g] Ex 6:6; 15:16; Dt 5:15
• [h] Jb 29:14; 1 Ch 16:27; Ps 8:5
• [i] 1 Sm 2:7; Isa 13:11; Ezk 21:26
• [j] Lit wicked in their place
• [k] Ps 72:4; 89:10