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

21We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds. 22So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor. We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us. 24No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.”

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 37:19“So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
• Job 11:7“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
• Job 26:14These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”
• Job 36:26“Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted.
• Proverbs 30:3I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.
• Ecclesiastes 3:11Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
• Luke 10:22“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
• Romans 11:33Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
• 1 Timothy 6:16He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
• Job 9:4For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?
• Job 12:13“But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
• Job 36:5“God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding.
• Psalms 62:11God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;
• Psalms 65:6You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.
• Psalms 66:3Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.
• Psalms 93:1The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

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