Job 37:23

Job 37:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
• New International Version (NIV)The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
• New King James Version (NKJV)As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.
• New Living Translation (NLT)We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us.

Context of Job 37:23

21"And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. 22Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. 24Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit."

Job 37:23 word by word

שַׁדַּ֣י לֹֽא־מְ֭צָאנֻהוּ שַׂגִּיא־כֹ֑חַ וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט וְרֹב־צְ֝דָקָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• the Almightyשַׁדַּיshadday · AlmightyH7706
• we cannot find him outמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
• excellentשַׂגִּיאώaggîy' · greatH7689
• in powerכֹּחַkôach kôach · strengthH3581
• and in judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
• and in plentyרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• of justiceצְדָקָהtsedâqâh · righteousnessH6666
• he will not afflictעָנָה‛ânâh · to afflictH6031

Cross-references for Job 37:23

• Job 37:19Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
• Job 11:7"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
• Job 26:14Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?"
• Job 36:26Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable.
• Proverbs 30:3I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
• Ecclesiastes 3:11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
• Luke 10:22All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
• Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
• 1 Timothy 6:16who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
• Job 9:4He is wise in heart and mighty in strength —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?—
• Job 12:13"With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.
• Job 36:5"Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding.
• Psalms 62:11Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
• Psalms 65:6the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;
• Psalms 66:3Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
• Psalms 93:1The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Commentaries on Job 37:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out - This is a very abrupt exclamation, and highly descriptive of the state of mind in which Elihu was at this time; full of solemnity, wonder, and astonishment, at his own contemplation of this "great First Cause, least understood." The Almighty! we cannot find him out. Excellent in power and in judgment - We must not pretend to comprehend his being, the mode of his existence, the wisdom of his counsels, nor the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out - See the notes at Job 11:7-9. This sentiment accords with all that Elihu had said, and indeed is what he designed particularly to enforce. But it has a special emphasis here, where God is seen approaching in visible splendor, encompassed with clouds and tempests, and seated on a throne of burnished gold. Such a God, Elihu says, it was impossible to comprehend. His majesty was overwhelming, The passage is much…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-24Verses 21-24 Elihu concludes his discourse with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23The Almighty is beyond our reach: Compare 11:7; 26:14; Romans 11:33; 1 Timothy 6:16. His justice and great righteousness: Compare Job 9:4, 19; 12:13; Psalms 62:11; 66:3; 93:1; 99:4.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. afflict--oppressively, so as to "pervert judgment" as Job implied (see on Job 8:3); but see on Job 37:21, end of note. The reading, "He answereth not," that is, gives no account of His dealings, is like a transcriber's correction, from Job 33:13, Margin.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 37:23

• God
• God Continued...
• Ignorance
• Religion

In the dictionaries

• Comprehend
• Den
• Direct
• Elihu
• God

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