Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. New Living Translation You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. English Standard Version ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. New King James Version You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. New American Standard Bible ‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know. NASB 1995 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” NASB 1977 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Legacy Standard Bible ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too marvelous for me, which I did not know. Amplified Bible “[You said to me] ‘Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?’ Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Christian Standard Bible You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance? ” Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know. Holman Christian Standard Bible You asked, “Who is this who conceals My counsel with ignorance?” Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. American Standard Version Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Contemporary English Version You asked why I talk so much when I know so little. I have talked about things that are far beyond my understanding. English Revised Version Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. GOD'S WORD® Translation "[You said,] 'Who is this that belittles my advice without having any knowledge [about it]?' Yes, I have stated things I didn't understand, things too mysterious for me to know. Good News Translation You ask how I dare question your wisdom when I am so very ignorant. I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know. International Standard Version You asked, 'Who is this that darkens counsel without knowledge?' Well now, I have talked about what I don't understand— awesome things beyond me that I don't know. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible you asked, 'Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?' But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. New Heart English Bible You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Webster's Bible Translation Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that which I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. World English Bible You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I didn’t understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version[You said], Who [is] this hiding counsel without knowledge? Therefore, I have declared, and do not understand, "" Too wonderful for me, and I do not know. Young's Literal Translation Who is this, hiding counsel without knowledge?' Therefore, I have declared, and understand not, Too wonderful for me, and I know not. Smith's Literal Translation Who this hiding counsel without knowledge? for this, I announced, and I shall not understand; wonders above me, and I shall not know. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge. Catholic Public Domain Version So, who is it that would disguise a lack of knowledge as counsel? Therefore, I have been speaking foolishly, about things whose measure exceeds my knowledge. New American Bible “Who is this who obscures counsel with ignorance?” I have spoken but did not understand; things too marvelous for me, which I did not know. New Revised Standard Version ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho am I to think that I can give counsel without knowledge? Therefore thou hast declared to me that I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Who is this who devises doctrine by words without knowledge? Because of this you showed me that I did not understand and I have not known things that are greater than I OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Brenton Septuagint Translation For who is he that hides counsel from thee? or who keeps back his words, and thinks to hide them from thee? and who will tell me what I knew not, great and wonderful things which I understood not? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Submits Himself to the LORD…2“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. 3You 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. 4You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’… Cross References Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Romans 11:33-34 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 1 Corinthians 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. Proverbs 30:2-4 Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. / I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. / Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know! 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count. Jeremiah 32:17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You! 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?” 1 Corinthians 8:2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. Psalm 131:1 A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me. Isaiah 40:13-14 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding? Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. Treasury of Scripture Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Who Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? things Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 131:1 A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Jump to Previous Counsel Dark Declared Hides Hideth Hiding Makes Obscures Purpose Searched Surely Talking Understand Understood Uttered Who Wonderful Wonders WordsJump to Next Counsel Dark Declared Hides Hideth Hiding Makes Obscures Purpose Searched Surely Talking Understand Understood Uttered Who Wonderful Wonders WordsJob 42 1. Job submits himself unto God7. God, preferring Job's cause, makes his friends submit themselves, and accepts him 10. He magnifies and blesses Job 16. Job's age and death You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ In this phrase, Job is quoting God's earlier challenge to him. This reflects the divine questioning found in Job 38:2, where God begins His response to Job's complaints. The phrase underscores the theme of divine wisdom versus human understanding. Job acknowledges that he has spoken without full comprehension of God's purposes. This humility is a key turning point in the narrative, as Job recognizes the limitations of human wisdom compared to God's infinite knowledge. The rhetorical question highlights the folly of attempting to understand divine plans without divine revelation, a theme echoed in Isaiah 55:8-9, where God's thoughts and ways are described as higher than human thoughts and ways. Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He undergoes severe trials and questions God's justice but ultimately repents. 2. God The Almighty Creator who allows Job to be tested and later speaks to him, revealing His wisdom and sovereignty. 3. Job's Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom but are ultimately rebuked by God. 4. The Whirlwind The medium through which God speaks to Job, emphasizing His power and majesty. 5. The Restoration The event following Job's repentance where God restores his fortunes and blesses him more than before. Teaching Points Humility Before GodRecognize our limitations in understanding God's ways. Like Job, we must approach God with humility, acknowledging that His wisdom surpasses ours. Repentance and Restoration True repentance involves recognizing our misconceptions about God and His plans. Job's account shows that God is gracious to restore and bless those who turn back to Him. Trust in God's Sovereignty Even when we don't understand our circumstances, we can trust that God is in control and His plans are for our ultimate good. The Value of Divine Wisdom Seek God's wisdom through prayer and scripture, understanding that human wisdom is limited and often flawed. The Role of Suffering Suffering can be a tool for growth and deeper understanding of God's character. Job's trials led him to a more profound knowledge of God.XLII. (3) Who is he that hideth counsel?--It is quite obvious that the right way of understanding these verses is, as in Isaiah 63:1-6, after the manner of a dialogue, in which Job and the Lord alternately reply. "Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge?" were the words with which God Himself joined the debate in Job 38:2; and therefore, unless we assign them to Him here also, we must regard them as quoted by Job, and applied reflectively to himself; but it is far better to consider them as part of a dialogue. Verse 3. - Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? As these are nearly the words of God in Job 38:2, some suppose that they must be his words again here, and imagine a short dialogue in this place between Job and the Almighty, assigning to Job ver. 2, the latter half of ver. 8, and the whole of vers. 5 and 6, while they assign to God ver. 4 and the first clause of ver. 8. But it is far more natural to regard Job as bringing up the words which God had spoken to him, to ponder on them and answer them, or at any rate to hang his reply upon them, than to imagine God twice interrupting Job in the humble confession that he was anxious to make. We must understand, then, after the word "knowledge," an ellipse of "thou sayest." Therefore have I uttered that I understood not. Therefore, because of that reproof of thine, I perceive that, in what I said to my friends, I "darkened counsel," - I "uttered that I understood not," words which did not clear the matter in controversy, but obscured it. I dealt, in fact, with things too wonderful for me - beyond my compre-hension - which I knew not, of which I had no real knowledge, but only a semblance of knowledge, and on which, therefore, I had better have been silent.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You asked, ‘Whoמִ֤י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix is this זֶ֨ה ׀ (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that who conceals מַעְלִ֥ים (ma‘·lîm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal My counsel עֵצָ֗ה (‘ê·ṣāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence without בְּֽלִ֫י (bə·lî) Adverb Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as knowledge?’ דָ֥עַת (ḏā·‘aṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1847: Knowledge Surely לָכֵ֣ן (lā·ḵên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus I spoke of things הִ֭גַּדְתִּי (hig·gaḏ·tî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous I did not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no understand, אָבִ֑ין (’ā·ḇîn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand things too wonderful נִפְלָא֥וֹת (nip̄·lā·’ō·wṯ) Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural Strong's 6381: To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful for מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי (mim·men·nî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of me to know. אֵדָֽע׃ (’ê·ḏā‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know Links Job 42:3 NIVJob 42:3 NLT Job 42:3 ESV Job 42:3 NASB Job 42:3 KJV Job 42:3 BibleApps.com Job 42:3 Biblia Paralela Job 42:3 Chinese Bible Job 42:3 French Bible Job 42:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 42:3 You asked 'Who is this who hides (Jb) |
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