Job 37 23

Job 37:23 kjv

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

Job 37:23 nkjv

As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.

Job 37:23 niv

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

Job 37:23 esv

The Almighty ? we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.

Job 37:23 nlt

We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous,
he does not destroy us.

Job 37 verses

Job 37 23 Meaning

Job 37:23 presents Elihu's culminating assertion about God's nature. It proclaims the incomprehensibility of the Almighty, whose infinite attributes of power, righteous judgment, and abundant justice preclude Him from arbitrarily or unjustly afflicting humanity. Elihu contends that humans, limited in understanding, cannot fully grasp God's ways, yet can be assured of His consistent character, especially regarding His non-malicious interaction with creation. The verse underscores God's sovereignty and His unfathomable wisdom, suggesting that any perceived affliction from God is not without purpose or justice.

Job 37 23 Context

Job 37:23 concludes Elihu’s lengthy discourse in the book of Job, which spans chapters 32-37. Elihu presents himself as a younger man, divinely inspired to offer a true understanding of God, believing Job and his friends have fallen short. Throughout his speeches, Elihu focuses on God's omnipotence, majesty, and justice, particularly as revealed in the wonders of the natural world (storm, thunder, lightning, snow – 36:26-37:22). He uses these phenomena as undeniable proof of God's unsearchable greatness and humans' inability to fully comprehend His ways or question His motives. Verse 23 is the summary of Elihu's argument regarding God's character, setting the stage for God's direct intervention from the whirlwind in the subsequent chapters (Job 38-41). It emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and moral purity, implicitly challenging Job's perceived accusations against God's justice in his suffering.

Job 37 23 Word analysis

• The Almighty (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai): This divine name for God emphasizes His overwhelming power and all-sufficiency. In the book of Job, "Shaddai" is the most frequent divine name used, underscoring His might and authority over all creation, including human lives and destinies. Elihu, by using this name, calls attention to God's unparalleled might and absolute control.
• we cannot find him (לֹא נִמְצָאֵהוּ, lo nimtsa'ehu): This phrase means "He cannot be searched out" or "He is unsearchable." It refers to God's transcendence and infinite nature, making Him ultimately incomprehensible to finite human intellect. This isn't about physical location, but about fully grasping His essence, ways, and purposes. It sets boundaries on human questioning of the divine.
• he is excellent (שַׂגִּיא, saggi'): This Hebrew term signifies "great," "mighty," "abundant," or "exalted." It emphasizes the surpassing degree of God's attributes, indicating that His power, judgment, and righteousness are not merely present but are profoundly and supremely so.
• in power (כֹּחַ, koach): Refers to inherent strength, might, and ability. God's power is limitless, manifest in creation, sustenance, and control over all things, including the natural phenomena Elihu just described.
• in judgment (וּמִשְׁפָּט, u-mishpat): This signifies justice, righteousness in governance, and discernment. God's actions are always aligned with perfect justice. This directly addresses the heart of Job's struggle – the perceived injustice of his suffering – by asserting God's flawless righteousness in all His dealings.
• and in abundant righteousness (וְרָב צְדָקָה, ve-rav tsedakah): "Rav" means "much" or "abundant"; "tsedakah" is "righteousness," "justice," or "moral rectitude." This highlights that God's righteousness is not merely present but is overflowing and an inherent aspect of His being. It reassures that God's character is consistent with absolute goodness and moral purity.
• he will not afflict (וְלֹא יְעַנֶּה, ve-lo ye'anneh): This phrase can be translated "he will not oppress" or "he will not deal unjustly/afflict without cause." The verb `anah can mean to afflict, humble, oppress. Elihu contends that God does not afflict people out of malice, arbitrariness, or injustice. Any suffering that comes from God's hand is for a purpose consistent with His righteous and just character, perhaps for discipline, instruction, or a demonstration of His greater glory. It’s a polemic against Job’s belief that God was afflicting him without reason.
• Words-group: "The Almighty—we cannot find him": This stresses God's unsearchable nature, emphasizing the chasm between human finite understanding and divine infinitude. It calls for humility in approaching divine mysteries.
• Words-group: "he is excellent in power, in judgment, and in abundant righteousness": This triad of attributes establishes God's essential character. His greatness lies in the perfect synthesis of infinite strength, unblemished justice, and overflowing righteousness, ensuring that His power is always wielded righteously and justly.
• Words-group: "he will not afflict": This profound theological statement, positioned as the culmination of Elihu's attributes, argues for God's consistent goodness. It reassures that God’s sovereign power and justice are always aligned with benevolence and that suffering from Him is never malicious but purposeful.

Job 37 23 Bonus section

The concept of Shaddai as the God who both nourishes/provides and corrects/judges is pertinent here, connecting to Elihu's argument that suffering can be corrective. Elihu’s statement foreshadows later biblical teachings on God's discipline, which, though painful, is rooted in love and intended for ultimate good (Prov 3:11-12, Heb 12:5-11). The verse directly counters Job's perception of an unjust God afflicting him. While Elihu doesn't fully understand the reason for Job's specific suffering (as God's speech will reveal it's not due to sin in Job's case), his core theological principle regarding God's character—that He acts with perfect righteousness and does not oppress unjustly—is profoundly biblical. This verse encourages a perspective that sees divine allowance of hardship as part of an infinitely wise and just plan, even when human understanding is limited.

Job 37 23 Commentary

Job 37:23 serves as Elihu’s climactic summary of God's character, particularly addressing the pervasive issue of suffering. He champions God’s absolute supremacy, stating that the Almighty is utterly beyond human comprehension and investigation. This incomprehensibility is not a sign of indifference, but rather of God’s exceeding greatness in His perfect power, flawless justice, and abundant righteousness. Crucially, Elihu concludes that such a perfectly just God "will not afflict" arbitrarily or without righteous cause. This assertion challenges the notion that God's actions are ever capricious or unfair. Instead, any experience of suffering or perceived "affliction" by God must be understood within the framework of His ultimate justice and goodness, potentially serving a divine purpose beyond immediate human understanding, such as discipline, purification, or revealing His glory. Elihu’s message is one of profound humility before the divine mystery and trust in God's unerring character.