Amplified Bible
Job 37:19
19Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being; We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God].
Job 37:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
- New International Version (NIV)“Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.
Context of Job 37:19
17You whose garments are hot, When He quiets the earth [in sultry summer] with the [oppressive] south wind? 18Can you, with Him, spread out the sky, Strong as a molten mirror? Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being; We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God]. 20So shall it be told Him that I wish to speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up [and destroyed by God]? 21“Now people cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies [without being blinded], When the wind has passed and cleared them.
Read all of Job 37Job 37:19 word by word
ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ מַה־נֹּ֣אמַר ל֑וֹ לֹ֥א־נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 37:19
- Job 12:3But I have intelligence and understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these [of God’s wisdom and might]?
- Job 13:3“But I wish to speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God.
- Job 26:14Yet these are just the fringes of His ways [mere samples of His power], The faintest whisper of His voice! Who can contemplate the thunder of His [full] mighty power?”
- Job 28:20From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
- Job 38:2“Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?
- Job 42:3[You said to me] ‘Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?’ Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
- Psalms 73:16When I considered how to understand this, It was too great an effort for me and too painful
- Psalms 139:6Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.
- Proverbs 30:2Surely I am more brutish and stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man [for I do not know what I do not know].
- 1 Corinthians 13:12For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].
- 1 John 3:2Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory].
Commentaries on Job 37:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Teach us what we shall say unto him? - Thou pretendest to be so very wise, and to know every thing about God, pray make us as wise as thyself, that we may be able to approach with thy boldness the Sovereign of the world; and maintain our cause with thy confidence before him. As for our parts, we are ignorant; and, on all these subjects, are enveloped with darkness. Mr. Good translates: - "Teach us how we may address him, When arrayed in robes of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Teach us what we shall say unto him - This seems to be addressed to Job. It is the language of Elihu, implying that he was overawed with a sense of the majesty and glory of such a God. He knew not in what manner, or with what words to approach such a Being, and he asks Job to inform him, if he knew. We cannot order our speech by reason of darkness - Job had repeatedly professed a desire to bring his cause directly before God, and to argue it in his…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-20Verses 14-20 Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, So 4:16. The best of men are much in the dark concerning the glorious perfections of the Divine nature and the Divine government. Those who, through grace, know much of God, know nothing, in comparison…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Men cannot explain God's wonders; we ought, therefore, to be dumb and not contend with God. If Job thinks we ought, "let him teach us, what we shall say." order--frame. darkness--of mind; ignorance. "The eyes are bewilderingly blinded, when turned in bold controversy with God towards the sunny heavens" (Job 37:18) [Umbreit].Read the comment
Topics related to Job 37:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 37
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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