Job 40:9

9 Are you as strong as God? Can your voice thunder like his?

Job 40:9 Meaning and Commentary

Job 40:9

Hast thou an arm like God?
&c.] Such power as he has, which is infinite, almighty, and uncontrollable, and therefore there is no contending with him; as he has an arm on which good men may lean on and trust in, and by which they are supported, protected, and saved, so he has an arm to crush like a moth all that strive with him or against him;

or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
thunder is his voice; see ( Job 37:4 Job 37:5 ) ( Psalms 29:3 ) and is expressive of his power, ( Job 26:14 ) ; and his powerful voice may be observed in calling all things out of nothing into being in creation; in commanding and ordering all things in providence according to his pleasure; and in quickening sinners through his Gospel, by his Spirit and grace in conversion, and will be in calling men out of their graves and summoning them to judgment at the last day. God can both overpower and out voice men, and therefore it is in vain to oppose him and contend with him.

Job 40:9 In-Context

7 "Be strong, like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me.
8 Would you say that I am unfair? Would you blame me to make yourself look right?
9 Are you as strong as God? Can your voice thunder like his?
10 If so, then decorate yourself with glory and beauty; dress in honor and greatness as if they were clothing.
11 Let your great anger punish; look at the proud and bring them down.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.