English Standard Version
Job 38:2
2"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Job 38:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
- New International Version (NIV)“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Context of Job 38:2
1Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
Read all of Job 38Job 38:2 word by word
מִ֤י זֶ֨ה׀ מַחְשִׁ֖יךְ עֵצָ֥ה בְמִלִּ֗ין בְּֽלִי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 38:2
- Job 12:3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
- Job 23:4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
- Job 24:25If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?"
- Job 26:3How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!
- Job 27:11I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.
- Job 34:35'Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.'
- Job 35:16Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge."
- Job 42:3'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
- 1 Timothy 1:7desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
Commentaries on Job 38:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Who is this that darkeneth counsel - As if he had said, Who art thou who pretendest to speak on the deep things of God, and the administration of his justice and providence, which thou canst not comprehend; and leavest my counsels and designs the darker for thy explanation?Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Who is this - Referring doubtless to Job, for he is specified in the previous verse. Some have understood it of Elihu (see Schultens), but the connection evidently demands that it should be understood as referring to Job. The object was, to reprove him for the presumptuous manner in which he had spoken of God and of his government. It was important before God manifested his approval of Job, that he should declare his sense of what he had said, and show…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2obscures My counsel: God’s accusation is similar to a charge made by Eliphaz and Elihu (15:2; 34:35; 35:16). Job eventually admitted his guilt (42:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. this--Job. counsel--impugning My divine wisdom in the providential arrangements of the universe. Such "words" (including those of the friends) rather obscure, than throw light on My ways. God is about to be Job's Vindicator, but must first bring him to a right state of mind for receiving relief.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 38:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 38
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries