Job 42:2 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

I know that thou canst do everything - This is said by Job in view of what had been declared by the Almighty in the previous chapters. It is an acknowledgment that God was omnipotent, and that man ought to be submissive, under the putting forth of his infinite power. One great object of the address of the Almighty was to convince Job of his majesty, and that object was fully accomplished.

And that no thought - No purpose or plan of thine. God was able to execute all his designs.

Can be withholden from thee - Margin, “or, of thine can be hindered.” Literally, “cut off” - בצר bâtsar. The word, however, means also “to cut off access to,” and then to prevent, hinder, restrain. This is its meaning here; so Genesis 11:6, “Nothing will be restrained (יבצר yibâtsar) from them, which they have imagined to do.”

Job 42:2

2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.