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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
• 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.

Context of Job 37:23

21But now, the sun cannot be looked at – it is bright in the skies – after a wind passed and swept the clouds away. 22From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty. As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress. 24Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.”

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 37:19Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.
• Job 11:7“Can you discover the essence of God? Can you find out the perfection of the Almighty?
• Job 26:14Indeed, these are but the outer fringes of his ways! How faint is the whisper we hear of him! But who can understand the thunder of his power?”
• Job 36:26“Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.
• Proverbs 30:3I have not learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One.
• Ecclesiastes 3:11God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time, but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart so that people cannot discover what God has ordained, from the beginning to the end of their lives.
• Luke 10:22All things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him.”
• Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!
• 1 Timothy 6:16He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.
• Job 9:4He is wise in heart and mighty in strength – who has resisted him and remained safe?
• Job 12:13“With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
• Job 36:5Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
• Psalms 62:11God has declared one principle; two principles I have heard: God is strong,
• Psalms 65:6You created the mountains by your power, and demonstrated your strength.
• Psalms 66:3Say to God: “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power your enemies cower in fear before you.
• Psalms 93:1The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty, the Lord is robed, he wears strength around his waist. Indeed, the world is established, it cannot 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