Job 36:22-32

22 Lo! God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the givers of law. (Lo! God's strength towers over all, and there is no one like him among the law givers, or the rulers.)

23 Who may seek out the ways of God? either who dare say to him, Thou hast wrought wickedness?

24 Have thou mind (Remember), that thou knowest not his work, of whom men have sung.

25 All men see God; each man beholdeth afar. (All see God, or what he hath done; but all behold him from afar.)

26 Lo! God is great, over-coming our knowing (Lo! God is so great, and we shall truly never know how great he is); the number of his years is without number.

27 He taketh (up) the drops of rain; and he poureth out (the) rains at the likeness of floodgates,

28 which come down (out) of the clouds, that cover all things (from) above.

29 If he will stretch forth clouds as his tent, (If he will stretch forth the clouds like his tent,)

30 and lightning with his light from above, he shall cover, yea, the hinges of the sea, (that is, the depths of the sea).

31 For by these things he deemeth peoples, and giveth meat to many deadly men. (For by these things he feedeth the nations, and giveth food to many mortals.)

32 In (his) hands he hideth (the) light; and (then) commandeth it, that it come (out) again.

Job 36:22-32 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 36

This chapter, with the following, contains Elihu's fourth and last discourse, the principal view of which is to vindicate the righteousness of God; which is done by observing the dealings of God with men in his providence, according to their different characters, and from the wonderful works wrought by him in a sovereign manner, and for the benefit of his creatures. This chapter is introduced with a preface, the design of which is to gain attention, Job 36:1-4; the different dealings of God with men are observed, and the different issue of them, and the different ends answered thereby, Job 36:5-15; and it is suggested to Job, that had he attended to the design of the providence he was under, and had submitted to it patiently, things would have been otherwise with him; and therefore Elihu proceeds to give him some advice, which, if taken, would be for his own good, and the glory of God, Job 36:16-25; and closes the chapter by observing the unsearchable greatness of God, as appears by the works of nature wrought by him, Job 36:26-33.