Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” New Living Translation “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” English Standard Version “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Berean Standard Bible “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” King James Bible Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. New King James Version “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” New American Standard Bible “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who rebukes God give an answer.” NASB 1995 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” NASB 1977 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” Legacy Standard Bible “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” Amplified Bible “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who disputes with God answer it.” Christian Standard Bible Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who argues with God give an answer. Holman Christian Standard Bible Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God give an answer. American Standard Version Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it. Contemporary English Version but you have argued that I am wrong. Now you must answer me. English Revised Version Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? he that argueth with God, let him answer it. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him? Will the person who argues with God answer him?" International Standard Version "Should the one who is fighting the Almighty find fault with him? Let God's accuser answer." Majority Standard Bible ?Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.? NET Bible "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!" New Heart English Bible "Shall he who argues contend with Shaddai? He who argues with God, let him answer it." Webster's Bible Translation Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. World English Bible “Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Is the striver with the Mighty instructed? The reprover of God, let him answer it.” Young's Literal Translation Is the striver with the Mighty instructed? The reprover of God, let him answer it. Smith's Literal Translation Shall he contending with the Almighty, instruct? he reproving God shall answer it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleShall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? surely he that reproveth God, ought to answer him. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Will one who argues with the Almighty be corrected? Let him who would instruct God give answer! New Revised Standard Version “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Anyone who argues with God must respond.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMany are the counsels of God; he who reproves God must answer for it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Many are the counselors of God, and he who rebukes God gives an answer!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Shall he that reproveth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.Will any one pervert judgment with the Mighty One? and he that reproves God, let him return it for answer. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD1And the LORD said to Job: 2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” 3Then Job answered the LORD:… Cross References Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Romans 9:20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” Job 9:3 If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. Job 33:13 Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? Isaiah 29:16 You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”? Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. 1 Corinthians 10:22 Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? Job 38:2 “Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge? Job 42:3 You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. Romans 11:34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. Job 13:3 Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. Job 23:4 I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. Job 31:35 (Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment. Treasury of Scripture Shall he that contends with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproves God, let him answer it. Shall Job 9:3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Job 33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. Ecclesiastes 6:10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. instruct Isaiah 40:14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. he that reproveth Job 3:11,12,20,23 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? … Job 7:12,19-21 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? … Job 9:17,18,32-35 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause… Jump to Previous Accuses Almighty Arguments Contend Contendeth Contends Correct Forward Instruct Protesting Reproves Reproveth Ruler TeachingJump to Next Accuses Almighty Arguments Contend Contendeth Contends Correct Forward Instruct Protesting Reproves Reproveth Ruler TeachingJob 40 1. Job humbles himself to God6. God stirs him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom 16. Of the behemoth Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? This phrase addresses the audacity of a human questioning God's actions or decisions. In the context of the Book of Job, Job has been questioning God's justice and the reasons for his suffering. The term "faultfinder" suggests someone who is critical or accusatory. The rhetorical question implies the futility of such an endeavor, as God is omnipotent and omniscient. This echoes the theme found in Isaiah 45:9, where it is stated, "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker." The Almighty, a title for God, emphasizes His supreme power and authority, reminding the reader of the vast difference between human and divine understanding. Let him who argues with God give an answer. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice. 2. God (The Almighty) The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who engages in a dialogue with Job, challenging his understanding and perspective. 3. The Dialogue This verse is part of a larger discourse where God responds to Job's complaints and questions, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyRecognize that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. We must approach Him with humility, acknowledging our limited understanding. The Futility of Contending with God Arguing with God is futile because His wisdom and plans are perfect. Trust in His divine purpose, even when circumstances are challenging. The Importance of Humility Embrace a posture of humility before God. Accept that we may not always understand His ways, but we can trust His character and promises. Responding to God's Questions When God challenges us, it is an opportunity for growth and deeper faith. Reflect on His questions and seek to align your heart with His will. Faith in the Midst of Suffering Like Job, we may face trials that test our faith. Use these moments to deepen your reliance on God, trusting that He is working for your good.XL. (2) Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?--Rather, Can he that reproveth (e. g., Job) contend with the Almighty? or, Can the contending with the Almighty instruct Him? "Art thou prepared still to dispute and contend with God? or, if thou dost, is there any hope that thou wilt instruct (i.e., convince) Him in argument? Let him that argueth with God (i.e., Job) answer this question." It might, perhaps, tend to make these verses (Job 40:4-5) more effective if we transposed them after Job 42:6, and regarded them as the very climax of the poem, as some have done. But this is not necessary, and is an arrangement that has no support from external evidence. If, however, it were adopted, Job's resolution, "Once have I spoken; but I will speak no more: yea, twice; but I will not again" (Job 40:5), would not be literally inconsistent, as it now is, with what he says in Job 42:1-6. Hebrew “Will the faultfinderיִסּ֑וֹר (yis·sō·wr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3250: One who reproves, faultfinder contend הֲ֭רֹב (hă·rōḇ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with the Almighty? שַׁדַּ֣י (šad·day) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7706: The Almighty Let him who argues מוֹכִ֖יחַ (mō·w·ḵî·aḥ) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict with God אֱל֣וֹהַּ (’ĕ·lō·w·ah) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 433: God -- a deity, the Deity give an answer.” יַעֲנֶֽנָּה׃ (ya·‘ă·nen·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond Links Job 40:2 NIVJob 40:2 NLT Job 40:2 ESV Job 40:2 NASB Job 40:2 KJV Job 40:2 BibleApps.com Job 40:2 Biblia Paralela Job 40:2 Chinese Bible Job 40:2 French Bible Job 40:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 40:2 Shall he who argues contend (Jb) |
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