Job 11:7

KJV

¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

KJV (with Strong's)

Canst thou by searching {H2714} find out {H4672} God {H433}? canst thou find {H4672} out the Almighty {H7706} unto perfection {H8503}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Can you penetrate God's depths? Can you find out Shaddai's limits?

Berean Standard Bible

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

American Standard Version

Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 11:7, a rhetorical question posed by Zophar the Naamathite, asserts the absolute incomprehensibility of God. It challenges the human capacity to fully grasp the divine nature, wisdom, and ways through mere intellectual inquiry or exhaustive investigation. This verse serves as a foundational premise in Zophar's argument, emphasizing the vast chasm between finite human understanding and the infinite perfection of the Almighty, thereby implicitly rebuking Job for questioning God's justice or seeking to understand the divine rationale behind his suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 11:7 is situated within Zophar's first and most aggressive speech to Job, following the contributions of Eliphaz (Job 4-5) and Bildad (Job 8). Zophar, the most dogmatic of Job's friends, immediately launches into a harsh critique, accusing Job of being a "man of much talk" (Job 11:2) and suggesting that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of unconfessed sin, implying that God is punishing Job less than his iniquity deserves (Job 11:6). This verse, therefore, functions as a rhetorical cornerstone for Zophar's argument: if God is utterly beyond human comprehension, then Job's attempts to justify himself or question God's justice are not only futile but presumptuous. Zophar presents God as an inscrutable and omnipotent judge whose actions are beyond reproach, thus silencing any human appeal to understanding or innocence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering was often directly correlated with sin, and prosperity with divine favor. This "retribution theology" was a dominant worldview, deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric, and it forms the basis of the friends' arguments against Job. Zophar's assertion of God's incomprehensibility, while a theological truth in itself, is here weaponized within this framework. He invokes the concept of divine mystery not to comfort or humble Job in a constructive way, but to shut down Job's pleas for an explanation and to reinforce the friends' belief that Job must be guilty. The cultural expectation was that a righteous person would not suffer so greatly, and therefore, Job's suffering demanded an explanation rooted in his moral failing. Zophar's statement about God's unsearchability, therefore, serves to justify God's actions (as perfectly just, even if inscrutable) and condemn Job's perceived rebellion.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully introduces or reinforces several key themes prevalent in the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights **God's Incomprehensibility**, asserting that the divine nature, wisdom, and purposes are infinitely beyond the full grasp of human intellect. This theme underscores the mystery inherent in the divine, a truth echoed elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher"). Secondly, it speaks to the **Limits of Human Knowledge and Wisdom**, implicitly calling for humility before the Creator. Zophar uses this to caution against presuming to understand or judge God's actions completely, a point that Job himself eventually acknowledges in [Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Confession of Ignorance"). Lastly, the mention of "the Almighty" (Hebrew: _Shadday_) emphasizes **God's Absolute Power and Perfection**, suggesting that His judgments are beyond human critique and always perfectly just, even if their rationale remains hidden. This aspect of God's character is central to the book's exploration of divine sovereignty and human suffering, ultimately culminating in God's own revelation from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Challenge to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Searching (Hebrew, _ḥēqer'_):** This noun refers to an act of investigation, exploration, or deep inquiry. It implies a diligent effort to penetrate, uncover, or fathom something. In this context, it signifies the human attempt to intellectually probe the depths of God's being, wisdom, or purposes. Zophar's rhetorical question suggests that no amount of human intellectual effort, however diligent or exhaustive, can fully uncover or comprehend the infinite nature of God.
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _shadday'_):** This is a profound and ancient name for God, frequently translated as "God Almighty" or "the All-Sufficient One." It emphasizes God's supreme power, omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and His ability to both provide for and judge His creation. When used in conjunction with the idea of "finding out," it underscores that the one being sought is not merely powerful but universally sovereign and beyond any human limitation or measure.
* **Perfection (Hebrew, _takhlith'_):** This word denotes the ultimate end, full extent, completion, or exhaustive knowledge. It implies reaching the absolute limit of understanding or knowledge about something. Zophar's use of _takhlith_ reinforces the idea that God's being, wisdom, and actions cannot be exhaustively known or fully comprehended by humans; there is no "end" to His nature that human intellect can reach.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Canst thou by searching find out God?"**: This is the first rhetorical question, immediately setting the tone of human limitation. The implied answer is a resounding "No." It challenges the very premise that human intellectual effort or investigative prowess can fully grasp the infinite, transcendent God. It suggests that God's nature is not a puzzle to be solved or a secret to be uncovered by human ingenuity, but an inexhaustible mystery.
* **"canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"**: This second rhetorical question serves as a parallel intensification of the first. By introducing "the Almighty" (_Shadday_) and the concept of "perfection" (_takhlith_), Zophar emphasizes the boundless power and complete, unquantifiable nature of God. It reiterates that not only is God beyond casual inquiry, but He is also beyond exhaustive comprehension. No human can attain a complete, final, or perfect understanding of His being, His ways, or His judgments.

#### Literary Devices
Job 11:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological assertion. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is not meant to elicit an answer but to make a forceful statement by implying an obvious negative response ("No, you cannot!"). This device effectively underscores the futility of human attempts to fully comprehend God. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second line ("canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first line ("Canst thou by searching find out God?"). This repetition strengthens the central message of divine incomprehensibility. Furthermore, there is an implied **Anthropomorphism** in the concept of "finding out God," as it applies human investigative actions to the divine, only to highlight the ultimate inadequacy of such actions when directed towards an infinite being. The verse also functions as a form of **Apophatic Theology**, emphasizing what God is not (knowable by human search to perfection) to convey His transcendent nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 11:7, while spoken by Zophar with flawed application, articulates a profound theological truth about God's transcendence and the limits of human understanding. It establishes that God's being, wisdom, and ways are infinitely beyond human comprehension, a concept known as divine incomprehensibility. This truth serves to cultivate humility and reverence in the face of divine mystery, reminding humanity that our finite minds cannot fully grasp the infinite God. While we are called to seek God and know Him personally, this verse cautions against any presumption of exhaustive knowledge or the ability to fully rationalize His every action or purpose. It points to a God whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and whose ways are beyond our finding out, demanding trust in His sovereignty even when His methods are inscrutable.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depth of God's Wisdom")
* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - God's Greatness is Unsearchable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 11:7 serves as a powerful call to humility and reverence before the Creator. In an age that often prioritizes intellectual mastery and exhaustive knowledge, this verse reminds us that God is not an equation to be solved or a concept to be fully contained within human reason. While we are encouraged to diligently seek God and grow in our knowledge of Him through His revealed Word and through personal relationship, this verse establishes a crucial boundary: we will never fully comprehend the infinite depths of His being, His wisdom, or His purposes. This should not lead to despair or intellectual laziness, but rather to a profound sense of awe and trust. When faced with life's inexplicable sufferings, unanswered prayers, or confusing providences, this verse encourages us to rest in the unsearchable wisdom and perfect justice of the Almighty, rather than demanding full understanding or succumbing to the temptation to judge God. Our limited perspective can never fully grasp the tapestry of His eternal plan, fostering a posture of faith that trusts God's goodness even when His ways are veiled.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's incomprehensibility challenge your own desire for complete understanding or control in life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to trust God's wisdom when His ways are not clear to you?**
* **How can acknowledging God's unsearchable nature lead to deeper worship and humility rather than intellectual frustration?**
* **What is the difference between "searching for God" to know Him personally and "searching to find out God unto perfection" in a way that presumes exhaustive knowledge?**

### FAQ

**Is Zophar's statement in Job 11:7 entirely true, even if his application to Job was flawed?**

Answer: Yes, the core theological truth expressed in Job 11:7—that God is ultimately beyond exhaustive human comprehension—is affirmed throughout Scripture, even though Zophar's application of this truth to accuse Job of hidden sin was incorrect. The Book of Job itself, particularly God's speeches from the whirlwind (see [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job")), demonstrates God's vast wisdom and power, which far exceed Job's (or any human's) ability to comprehend or question. Other biblical passages like [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-8 - God's Thoughts and Ways") and [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom") explicitly state that God's judgments are unsearchable and His ways past finding out. So, while Zophar's pastoral approach and conclusions were flawed, his statement about God's incomprehensibility is a profound theological truth.

**If God is unsearchable, how can we truly know Him or have a relationship with Him?**

Answer: The unsearchability of God refers to His infinite, exhaustive knowledge and being, not His knowability in a relational sense. While we cannot "find out" God "unto perfection" (i.e., fully comprehend His infinite essence or every detail of His plan), God has graciously chosen to reveal Himself to humanity. We know God personally through His self-revelation in creation ([Psalm 19:1-4](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1-4 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")), in His written Word (the Bible), and most perfectly and fully in the person of Jesus Christ (see [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). Our knowledge of God is therefore not exhaustive, but it is true, sufficient, and transformative, enabling a genuine relationship of faith, trust, and worship.

**Does this verse discourage seeking God or pursuing theological understanding?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Job 11:7 does not discourage seeking God but rather refines the nature of our seeking. It cautions against the presumption that human intellect can exhaustively comprehend the divine. Instead, it encourages a posture of humility and reverence in our pursuit of God. We are commanded to seek Him with all our heart ([Deuteronomy 4:29](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Deuteronomy 4:29 - Seek the Lord with All Your Heart")), and He promises that those who seek Him will find Him ([Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seek Me and Find Me")). The verse simply reminds us that even in our deepest spiritual and theological pursuits, there will always remain an infinite depth to God that transcends our finite understanding, fostering awe rather than intellectual arrogance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 11:7 highlights God's unsearchable nature from a perspective of human limitation, the New Testament reveals how this seemingly unapproachable God has made Himself intimately knowable through Jesus Christ. The "Almighty unto perfection" who cannot be "found out by searching" has, in the person of His Son, become the God who is "Emmanuel—God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Emmanuel")). Prior to Christ, "No one has ever seen God" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")), but the "only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." Jesus himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him" ([John 14:6-7](/john/14-6 "John 14:6-7 - Jesus, the Way to the Father")). In Christ, "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")), meaning that the very wisdom and knowledge of God that Zophar declared unsearchable are now accessible and revealed in the person of the Son. He is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), making the invisible God visible and the incomprehensible God comprehensible in His redemptive purposes. Thus, while we cannot exhaustively search out God's infinite being, we can intimately know Him through the revelation of His Son, who perfectly embodies and communicates the Father's nature and will.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 3:11

¶ He hath made every [thing] beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Romans 11:33

¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Psalms 145:3

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

Ephesians 3:8

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Psalms 77:19

Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

Job 37:23

[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.