Job 40:2

2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”

Job 40:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 "Now what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?" Job Answers God I'm Ready to Shut Up and Listen
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 "Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him? Will the person who argues with God answer him?"
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct [Him]? Let him who argues with God give an answer.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 "I am the Mighty One. Will the man who argues with me correct me? Let him who brings charges against me answer me!"

Job 40:2 Meaning and Commentary

Job 40:2

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct [him]?
&c.] Is he capable of it? He ought to be that takes upon him to dispute with God, to object or reply to him; that brings a charge against him, enters the debate, and litigates a point with him; which Job wanted to do. But could he or any other instruct him, who is the God of knowledge, the all wise and only wise God; who gives man wisdom, and teaches him knowledge? What folly is it to pretend to instruct him! Or can such an one be "instructed?" as the Targum: he is not in the way of instruction; he that submits to the chastising hand of God may be instructed thereby, but not he that contends with him; see ( Psalms 94:12 ) . Or should he be one that is instructed? no, he ought to be an instructor, and not one instructed; a teacher, and not one that is taught; he should be above all instruction from God or man that will dispute with the Almighty, The word for instruct has the signification of chastisement, because instruction sometimes comes that way; and then the sense either is, shall a man contend with the Almighty that chastises him? Does it become a son or a servant to strive against a parent or a master that corrects him? Or does not he deserve to be chastised that acts such a part? Some derive the word from one that signifies to remove or depart, and give the sense, shall the abundance, the all sufficiency of God, go from him to another, to a man; and so he, instead of God, be the all sufficient one? Or rather the meaning of the clause is, has there not been much, enough, and more than enough said, Job, to chastise thee, and convince thee of thy mistakes? must more be said? is there any need of it?

he that reproveth God, let him answer it;
he that reproves God, for his words, or works, or ways, finding fault with either of them, ought to answer to the question now put; or to any or all of those in the preceding chapters, and not be silent as Job now was.

Job 40:2 In-Context

1 The LORD said to Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
3 Then Job answered the LORD:
4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Job 13:3
  • 2. S Job 9:15; S Job 11:8; S Job 33:13; Romans 9:20
  • 3. S Job 9:3
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