Job 36:22-25 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

God is not to be impiously arraigned, but to be praised for His might, shown in His works.

Exalteth - rather х yasgiyb (H7682)], doeth lofty things; shows His exalted power (Umbreit). (Psalms 21:13.)

Teacheth - (Psalms 94:12, etc.) The connection is, returning to Job 36:5, God's "might" is shown in His "wisdom:" He Teacheth - (Psalms 94:12, etc.) The connection is, returning to Job 36:5, God's "might" is shown in His "wisdom:" He alone can teach; yet, because He, as a sovereign, explains not all His dealings, forsooth Job must presume to teach Him (Isaiah 40:13-14, "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or, being His counselor, hath taught Him?" Romans 11:34; 1 Corinthians 2:16). So the transition to Job 36:23 is natural. Umbreit, with the Septuagint, translates, 'Who is Lord?' wrongly, since this meaning belongs to later Hebrew [mowreeh is plainly, as the English version, "teacher"].

Verse 23. Job dared to prescribe to God what He should do (Job 34:10; Job 34:13).

Verse 24. Instead of arraigning, let it be thy fixed principle to magnify God in His works (Psalms 111:2-8; Revelation 15:3): these, which all may "see," may convince us that what we do not see is altogether wise and good (Romans 1:20).

Behold - so "see," Job 36:25; not as Maurer, 'sing,' laud (note, Job 33:27) х shorªruw (H7891), from shuwr, to see or behold].

Verse 25. See - namely, with wondering admiration (Maurer).

Man may behold '(yet) mortals (a different Hebrew word х 'ªnowsh (H582)] from "man" х 'aadaam (H120)]) behold it (only) from afar off: see but a small "part" (Job 26:14).

Job 36:22-25

22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.