◄ Job 36:26 ►
Indeed, God is great--beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.
Study Bible
Indeed, God is great—
The Hebrew word for "great" here is "gadol," which conveys not only size but also importance, power, and majesty. This phrase sets the tone for the verse, emphasizing the incomprehensible magnitude of God. In the context of the Book of Job, this declaration serves as a reminder of God's supreme authority and the vastness of His being, which surpasses human understanding. Historically, this aligns with the ancient Near Eastern view of deities as beings of immense power and mystery, yet the God of Israel is uniquely personal and involved with His creation.

beyond our knowledge
The Hebrew term "yada" is used for "knowledge," which implies intimate understanding or experiential knowledge. This phrase acknowledges the limitations of human comprehension when it comes to the divine. In the conservative Christian perspective, this is a call to humility, recognizing that while humans are made in the image of God, they cannot fully grasp His essence or His ways. This aligns with the scriptural theme found in Isaiah 55:8-9, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

the number of His years
This phrase speaks to the eternal nature of God. The Hebrew word "mispar" for "number" suggests a count or enumeration, yet here it is used to highlight the futility of trying to quantify God's existence. In the ancient world, age was often associated with wisdom and authority, and this phrase underscores God's eternal wisdom and sovereignty. From a theological standpoint, it affirms the doctrine of God's eternality, a foundational belief in conservative Christianity that God exists outside of time and is unchanging.

is unsearchable
The Hebrew word "cheqer" is translated as "unsearchable," meaning beyond investigation or discovery. This term reinforces the idea that God's nature and the span of His existence are beyond human exploration or understanding. In the context of Job, this serves as a reminder of the limitations of human wisdom compared to divine wisdom. It encourages believers to trust in God's perfect plan and timing, even when circumstances are difficult to understand. This aligns with Romans 11:33, which speaks of the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge as unsearchable and His judgments as untraceable.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job explores his dialogue with friends and his quest for understanding God's ways.

2. Elihu
A younger friend of Job who speaks in chapters 32-37. He offers a perspective on God's justice and greatness, emphasizing God's transcendence and wisdom.

3. God
The central figure in the book of Job, whose greatness and inscrutability are highlighted in this verse. God eventually speaks to Job, revealing His sovereignty and wisdom.

4. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel. It serves as the setting for the events of the book.

5. The Heavens
Often referenced in Job as a testament to God's creative power and majesty, underscoring His greatness and the limits of human understanding.
Teaching Points
God's Incomprehensible Greatness
God's greatness surpasses human understanding. We are called to trust in His wisdom, even when we cannot fully grasp His ways.

The Eternal Nature of God
God's years are unsearchable, reminding us of His eternal existence. This should inspire awe and reverence, knowing that He transcends time and space.

Humility Before God
Recognizing our limited understanding should lead us to humility. We should approach God with a heart willing to learn and submit to His will.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
In times of uncertainty or suffering, we can find comfort in knowing that God's plans are perfect and His purposes are beyond our comprehension.

Worship and Praise
Acknowledging God's greatness should lead us to worship. Our response to His majesty should be one of praise and adoration.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does recognizing God's greatness and incomprehensibility affect your daily walk with Him?

2. In what ways can you cultivate humility in your relationship with God, acknowledging your limited understanding?

3. How can the eternal nature of God provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty or difficulty?

4. What are some practical ways you can express worship and praise for God's greatness in your life?

5. How do other scriptures, like Psalm 145:3 and Romans 11:33, reinforce the message of Job 36:26, and how can these connections deepen your understanding of God's character?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 145:3
This verse echoes the theme of God's greatness and the unsearchable nature of His understanding, similar to Job 36:26.

Isaiah 40:28
Highlights God's eternal nature and unsearchable understanding, reinforcing the message of God's incomprehensible greatness.

Romans 11:33
Paul speaks of the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, aligning with the idea that God's ways are beyond human comprehension.
Sermons
God is GreatW.F. Adene Job 36:26
God's Greatness in Small ThingsH. J. Bevis.Job 36:26-27
God's Incomprehensible Greatness Illustrated by Little ThingsHomilistJob 36:26-27
The Greatness of GodNathanael Resbury, A. M.Job 36:26-27
The Knowledge of GodR. W. Dale, D. D. , LL. D.Job 36:26-27
The Unknowable GodJoseph Parker, D. D.Job 36:26-27
People
Elihu, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Behold, Beyond, Comprehend, Exalted, Finding, Greater, Past, Searched, Searching, Truly, Understanding, Unsearchable, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 36:26

     1140   God, the eternal
     1441   revelation, necessity
     5562   suffering, innocent
     8355   understanding
     9121   eternity, nature of

Job 36:24-27

     4060   nature

Job 36:26-33

     4854   weather, God's sovereignty

Library
Whether by his Passion Christ Merited to be Exalted?
Objection 1: It seems that Christ did not merit to be exalted on account of His Passion. For eminence of rank belongs to God alone, just as knowledge of truth, according to Ps. 112:4: "The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens." But Christ as man had the knowledge of all truth, not on account of any preceding merit, but from the very union of God and man, according to Jn. 1:14: "We saw His glory . . . as it were of the only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth." …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Acquired his Judiciary Power by his Merits?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not acquire His judiciary power by His merits. For judiciary power flows from the royal dignity: according to Prov. 20:8: "The king that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look." But it was without merits that Christ acquired royal power, for it is His due as God's Only-begotten Son: thus it is written (Lk. 1:32): "The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Will Judge under the Form of his Humanity?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ will not judge under the form of His humanity. For judgment requires authority in the judge. Now Christ has authority over the quick and the dead as God, for thus is He the Lord and Creator of all. Therefore He will judge under the form of His Godhead. Objection 2: Further, invincible power is requisite in a judge; wherefore it is written (Eccles. 7:6): "Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities." Now invincible power …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Old Law was from God?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law was not from God. For it is written (Dt. 32:4): "The works of God are perfect." But the Law was imperfect, as stated above [2060](A[1]). Therefore the Old Law was not from God. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Eccles. 3:14): "I have learned that all the works which God hath made continue for ever." But the Old Law does not continue for ever: since the Apostle says (Heb. 7:18): "There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Man Can Know that He Has Grace?
Objection 1: It would seem that man can know that he has grace. For grace by its physical reality is in the soul. Now the soul has most certain knowledge of those things that are in it by their physical reality, as appears from Augustine (Gen. ad lit. xii, 31). Hence grace may be known most certainly by one who has grace. Objection 2: Further, as knowledge is a gift of God, so is grace. But whoever receives knowledge from God, knows that he has knowledge, according to Wis. 7:17: The Lord "hath given …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Judicial Power Corresponds to Voluntary Poverty?
Objection 1: It would seem that the judicial power does not correspond to voluntary poverty. For it was promised to none but the twelve apostles (Mat. 19:28): "You shall sit on twelve seats, judging," etc. Since then those who are voluntarily poor are not all apostles, it would seem that the judicial power is not competent to all. Objection 2: Further, to offer sacrifice to God of one's own body is more than to do so of outward things. Now martyrs and also virgins offer sacrifice to God of their …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Hypocrisy is the Same as Dissimulation?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not the same as dissimulation. For dissimulation consists in lying by deeds. But there may be hypocrisy in showing outwardly what one does inwardly, according to Mat. 6:2, "When thou dost an alms-deed sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do." Therefore hypocrisy is not the same as dissimulation. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxxi, 7): "Some there are who wear the habit of holiness, yet are unable to attain the merit of perfection. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Great Teacher
Teaching was the great business of the life of Christ during the days of his public ministry. He was sent to teach and to preach. The speaker in the book of Job was thinking of this Great Teacher when he asked--"Who teacheth like him?" Job xxxvi: 22. And it was he who was in the Psalmist's mind when he spoke of the "good, and upright Lord" who would teach sinners, if they were meek, how to walk in his ways. Ps. xxv: 8-9. And he is the Redeemer, of whom the prophet Isaiah was telling when he said--He …
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

"That which was from the Beginning,"
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning," &c. Things are commended sometimes, because they are ancient, especially doctrines in religion, because truth is before error, and falsehood is but an aberration from truth and therefore there is so much plea and contention among men, about antiquity, as if it were the sufficient rule of verity. But the abuse is, that men go not far enough backward in the steps of antiquity, that is, to the most ancient rule, and profession, and practice of truth …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Whether Hypocrisy is Always a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is always a mortal sin. For Jerome says on Is. 16:14: "Of the two evils it is less to sin openly than to simulate holiness": and a gloss on Job 1:21 [*St. Augustine on Ps. 63:7], "As it hath pleased the Lord," etc., says that "pretended justice is no justice, but a twofold sin": and again a gloss on Lam. 4:6, "The iniquity . . . of my people is made greater than the sin of Sodom," says: "He deplores the sins of the soul that falls into hypocrisy, which is a greater …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether those to whom Christ's Birth was Made Known were Suitably Chosen?
Objection 1: It would seem that those to whom Christ's birth was made known were not suitably chosen. For our Lord (Mat. 10:5) commanded His disciples, "Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles," so that He might be made known to the Jews before the Gentiles. Therefore it seems that much less should Christ's birth have been at once revealed to the Gentiles who "came from the east," as stated Mat. 2:1. Objection 2: Further, the revelation of Divine truth should be made especially to the friends of God, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Divine Grace.
GRACE, LOYE, AND MERCY. I FIND that the goodness of God to his people is diversely expressed in his word, sometimes by the word grace, sometimes by the word love, and sometimes by the word mercy. When it is expressed by that word grace, then it is to show that what he doeth is of his princely will, his royal bounty, and sovereign pleasure. When it is expressed by that word love, then it is to show us that his affection was and is in what he doeth, and that he doeth what he doeth for us with complacency …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Greatness of the Soul,
AND UNSPEAKABLENESS 0F THE LOSS THEREOF; WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT. FIRST PREACHED AT PINNER'S HALL and now ENLARGED AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. By JOHN BUNYAN, London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682 Faithfully reprinted from the Author's First Edition. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Our curiosity is naturally excited to discover what a poor, unlettered mechanic, whose book-learning had been limited to the contents of one volume, could by possibility know …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Job 36:26 NIV
Job 36:26 NLT
Job 36:26 ESV
Job 36:26 NASB
Job 36:26 KJV

Job 36:26 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Job 36:25
Top of Page
Top of Page