Job 26:3

3 What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!

Job 26:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 How you have enlightened my stupidity! What wise advice you have offered!
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 What wonderful advice you've given to a mixed-up man! What amazing insights you've provided!
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, And plentifully declared sound knowledge!
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 You have advised the person who has no wisdom and offered so much assistance.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 How you have counseled the unwise and thoroughly explained [the path to] success!
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 You haven't offered advice to those who aren't wise! In fact, you haven't understood anything at all!

Job 26:3 Meaning and Commentary

Job 26:3

How hast thou counselled [him that hath] no wisdom?
&c.] A man deprived of wisdom has need of counsel, and it should be given him; and he does well both to ask and take it; and be it so, as if Job should say, that I am the foolish and unwise creature you take me to be, what counsel and advice have you given me? what a wise counsellor have you shown yourself to be? or rather, what a miserable part have you acted under this character?

and [how] hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
the thing in controversy, set it forth in a clear light, and in a copious manner, when he had not said one word about it, namely, concerning the afflictions of the godly, and the prosperity of the wicked; thus jeering at him, and laughing at the short reply he had made, and which was nothing to the purpose.

Job 26:3 In-Context

1 Then Job replied:
2 “How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble!
3 What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!
4 Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?
5 “The dead are in deep anguish, those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

Cross References 1

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