Job 40:1-11

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.

Job 40:1-11 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

• 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