Job 36 24

Job 36:24 kjv

Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

Job 36:24 nkjv

"Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.

Job 36:24 niv

Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.

Job 36:24 esv

"Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung.

Job 36:24 nlt

Instead, glorify his mighty works,
singing songs of praise.

Job 36 verses

Job 36 24 Meaning

Job 36:24 calls for a deliberate remembrance and proclamation of God's mighty works. It asserts that human beings have consistently acknowledged and celebrated these divine actions, particularly those evident in creation and providence, through praise and song. Elihu urges Job and listeners to actively glorify God's accomplishments, recognizing them as an enduring testimony to His power and wisdom.

Job 36 24 Context

Job 36:24 is part of Elihu's third discourse to Job, found in chapters 34-37. Elihu, a younger man, has patiently listened to Job and his three friends. He steps in to offer a different perspective, arguing that both Job and the friends have misunderstood God. In chapter 36, Elihu emphasizes God's greatness, majesty, and unsearchable wisdom, often displayed in nature and His governance of the world (e.g., rain, lightning, clouds). He suggests that suffering, while mysterious, can be a means for God to instruct and purify. This verse serves as a crucial exhortation, reminding Job to shift his focus from his personal affliction to the undeniable magnificence of God's works. Elihu believes that remembering and magnifying God's actions, which are openly visible and widely celebrated, is the appropriate human response, especially when facing life's inexplicable difficulties. His words prepare the way for God's eventual appearance and His questions to Job about creation in chapters 38-41.

Job 36 24 Word analysis

• Remember (זָכֹר, zakhor): An imperative verb. It means more than simple recall; it implies careful consideration, mindful attention, and active engagement. It suggests a call to fix one's thoughts deeply on something, to bear it in mind and act upon it.
• you exalt / magnify / extol (תַּגְדִּיל, tagdîl from the root גָּדַל gadal): In this Hiphil form, it means to make great, declare great, proclaim the greatness of. It's an active acknowledgment and celebration, not merely a passive observation. It's about recognizing God's work for what it is—vast and powerful—and giving Him the appropriate honor.
• His work (פָּעֳלוֹ, pa‘olô from פֹּעַל po'al): Refers to God's deeds, actions, and accomplishments. While it can encompass all divine activity, in the context of Elihu's speech in Job 36-37, it strongly points to God's creative and sustaining works in nature—the marvels of the physical world, weather patterns, and His providential care.
• of which men have sung (אֲשֶׁר שֹׁרְרוּ אֲנָשִׁים, asher shoreru anashim): The verb שׁוּר, shur, here in the Hiphil or Qal perfect form, can mean "to behold," "to look closely," or more commonly, "to sing." Given the context of praise and human response to God's works, "have sung" is the widely accepted and more fitting translation. It implies a widespread and perhaps even timeless tradition of acknowledging God's greatness through oral tradition and poetic expression.

• "Remember that you exalt His work": This phrase functions as a call to deliberate, conscious action. It implies a responsibility for humans to actively and intentionally acknowledge and praise God's visible displays of power and wisdom. It is an act of worship and submission, contrasting with Job's earlier focus on his suffering.
• "His work, of which men have sung": This highlights the undeniable and universally recognized nature of God's actions, particularly His creative and sustaining power. The testimony is not just personal but collective and enduring, indicating that God's greatness is a self-evident truth that humanity has historically affirmed through praise and artistic expression.

Job 36 24 Bonus section

This verse anticipates God's own challenge to Job later in chapters 38-41, where the Lord confronts Job by asking him to explain the creation and governance of the natural world. Elihu’s words here serve as a precursor to God's ultimate demonstration of His sovereignty through His creative and providential power. The verse speaks to the "book of nature" as a primary revelation of God's glory, echoing Psalms 19 and Romans 1. It suggests that a fundamental human duty is to recognize and vocalize the praise due to the Creator. The "singing" of men for God's work implies not only joyful worship but also a tradition of handing down this praise through generations, embedding God's greatness within communal memory and cultural expression.

Job 36 24 Commentary

Job 36:24 is a pivotal call from Elihu, urging a refocus on the undeniable grandeur of God's works. In contrast to Job's profound wrestling with his suffering, Elihu stresses the necessity of actively acknowledging God's majesty revealed in His creation and providence. This verse underscores that human beings are not just passive observers but are called to "magnify" or "exalt" His works—an act of purposeful proclamation and worship. The phrase "of which men have sung" confirms that this is not a new or obscure truth but a widely recognized and celebrated aspect of human experience. Even in the midst of inexplicable suffering or divine silence, Elihu posits that the wonders of creation—from cosmic displays to intricate life—stand as an irrefutable testament to God's power, wisdom, and active involvement in the world, deserving of continuous praise and contemplation. It is a challenge to Job, and indeed to all, to remember God's unsearchable greatness when His immediate ways are unclear.