Job 21:22

KJV

Shall [any] teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall any teach {H3925} God {H410} knowledge {H1847}? seeing he judgeth {H8199} those that are high {H7311}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Can anyone teach God knowledge? After all, he judges those who are on high.

Berean Standard Bible

Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high?

American Standard Version

Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 21:22 presents a profound rhetorical question from Job, challenging the simplistic, retribution-based theology of his friends and asserting the absolute, incomprehensible nature of God's wisdom and sovereign authority. Within a chapter where Job confronts the perplexing reality of the wicked often prospering and dying peacefully, this verse pivots to declare that no human, nor any exalted being, can presume to instruct or question the Almighty, for God's judgment extends even to the highest realms, operating on a plane far beyond human comprehension or interference. It is a powerful affirmation of divine omniscience and ultimate control over all creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 21:22 is situated within Job’s third and final response to his three friends, specifically countering Zophar’s rigid insistence on a direct, immediate correlation between sin and suffering, and righteousness and prosperity (Job 20). Throughout this cycle, Job consistently refutes their simplistic theology by pointing to the observable reality that the wicked often flourish, live long lives, and die in peace, while the righteous may suffer immensely (see [Job 21:7](/job/21-7 "Job 21:7 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")). This verse serves as a climactic rhetorical question, shifting from Job's empirical observations to a theological declaration about God's unassailable wisdom and authority. It underscores Job’s conviction that God's ways are inscrutable and not subject to human counsel or judgment, thereby dismantling the friends' presumption that they understand God's justice perfectly.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a masterpiece of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, grappling with the universal problem of suffering and divine justice. In the cultural milieu of Job's time, and indeed for much of ancient Israel, a prevailing "retribution theology" held sway: good deeds were immediately rewarded by God, and evil deeds were swiftly punished. This doctrine provided a seemingly rational framework for understanding the world, offering comfort in its predictability but often failing to account for the complexities of lived experience. Job’s friends represent the orthodox adherence to this view. Job 21:22, however, challenges this neat framework by asserting God's transcendence and the limitations of human understanding concerning divine operations. It implicitly critiques the cultural tendency to reduce God's justice to a predictable, mechanistic system, urging instead a posture of humility before the divine mystery.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Omniscience and Incomprehensibility**, asserting that God possesses perfect and complete knowledge, needing no instruction from His creation. The rhetorical question, "Shall [any] teach God knowledge?", underscores the absurdity of finite beings attempting to advise the infinite Creator (compare with [Isaiah 40:13-14](/isaiah/40-13 "Isaiah 40:13-14 - Who has advised the Spirit of the Lord?")). Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Supreme Authority and Universal Judgment**. The phrase "seeing he judgeth those that are high" declares God's unchallenged power over all, whether earthly rulers, powerful angelic beings, or cosmic forces. This theme resonates with other scriptures that speak of God's [sovereignty over all creation](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Sovereign Rule") and His power to humble the proud (e.g., [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Dominion over All")). Lastly, it implicitly underscores **Human Limitations**. Despite his profound suffering and desire for answers, Job acknowledges the intellectual and spiritual boundaries of humanity when attempting to grasp divine wisdom, reiterating that God's ways are unsearchable and His judgments past finding out (as articulated in [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Riches, Wisdom, and Knowledge")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **יָלַף (Hebrew, _yalaph_):** This Hebrew verb means "to teach," "to instruct," or "to learn by teaching." In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it emphasizes the act of *causing* someone to learn or *imparting* knowledge. The rhetorical question, "Shall [any] teach God knowledge?", therefore, emphatically denies the possibility of any created being, no matter how wise or powerful, being able to impart new information or understanding to the omniscient Creator. It highlights the absolute qualitative difference between divine and human knowledge, asserting God's self-sufficiency in wisdom.
* **רָמִים (Hebrew, _ramim_):** Derived from the root רוּם (*rum*), meaning "to be high," "exalted," or "lofty," *ramim* refers to those who are exalted, powerful, or prominent. This term can encompass mighty earthly rulers, powerful nations, or even spiritual beings and angelic hosts. By stating that God "judgeth those that are high," Job underscores God's unparalleled authority and sovereignty. It implies that if God can hold accountable and bring judgment upon the most exalted and seemingly untouchable entities, then His wisdom and justice are certainly not subject to the scrutiny or advice of mere mortals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall [any] teach God knowledge?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question designed to elicit an emphatic "No!" It challenges the very premise that any created being could possess knowledge superior to or even equal to God's, let alone impart it to Him. It directly confronts the presumption of Job's friends, who, by attempting to explain God's actions through their limited theological framework, implicitly positioned themselves as having a complete understanding of divine justice, as if they could "advise" God on how He *should* operate. Job here asserts God's absolute omniscience and self-sufficiency, implying that God's wisdom is inherent and not acquired.
* **"seeing he judgeth those that are high.":** This clause provides the compelling reason for the preceding rhetorical question. The conjunction "seeing" (literally "for" or "because") introduces the justification for God's unteachability. If God possesses the authority and power to judge and hold accountable "those that are high"—the most powerful, exalted, or seemingly unassailable beings, whether human rulers, cosmic powers, or even angelic hosts—then His wisdom and knowledge must be supreme and beyond human instruction. This statement reinforces God's ultimate sovereignty and His ability to operate justly and effectively on a cosmic scale, independent of any external counsel or human understanding.

#### Literary Devices
Job 21:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Shall [any] teach God knowledge?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make an emphatic statement, highlighting the absurdity and arrogance of such a notion. It forces the listener (and the reader) to acknowledge God's absolute omniscience and the inherent limitations of human wisdom. Following this, there is a clear **Juxtaposition** between the finite, limited human capacity for understanding and the infinite, boundless wisdom of God. The verse also utilizes **Argument from the Greater to the Lesser**: if God judges "those that are high" (the most exalted beings), then His wisdom and authority are undeniably supreme and not in need of instruction from lesser beings. This implicitly uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the vast chasm between human and divine understanding, making any attempt to "teach God" seem utterly preposterous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 21:22 stands as a profound declaration of divine transcendence, asserting God's absolute sovereignty, unsearchable wisdom, and ultimate authority over all creation. It challenges any human attempt to fully comprehend or dictate the ways of the Almighty, especially concerning the complex issues of justice and suffering. The verse reminds us that God's knowledge is inherent and complete, not acquired or dependent on human counsel. His judgments, even when they seem contradictory to our limited understanding, are perfect and extend to the highest echelons of power, both earthly and spiritual. This truth calls believers to a posture of profound humility, trust, and worship, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts. It serves as a crucial corrective to any theology that attempts to confine God within human logic or predictable systems.

* [Isaiah 40:13-14](/isaiah/40-13 "Isaiah 40:13-14 - Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord?")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - Doxology to God's Wisdom and Knowledge")
* [Psalm 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 21:22 calls us to a radical reorientation of our perspective on God, especially when faced with life's perplexing realities. In a world where suffering often seems arbitrary and the wicked appear to prosper, it is tempting to question God's justice or even presume to offer Him advice on how to manage His creation. This verse, however, serves as a powerful antidote to such spiritual arrogance. It encourages us to cultivate a profound humility, acknowledging that God's wisdom far surpasses our own, and His judgments operate on a scale and with a purpose we cannot fully grasp. Instead of demanding answers or attempting to fit God into our neat theological boxes, we are invited to trust in His ultimate goodness and perfect justice, even when circumstances defy our expectations. This posture of reverence and submission frees us from the burden of needing to understand everything and allows us to rest in the sovereign care of a God who judges even "those that are high," ensuring that all things will ultimately work according to His wise and righteous plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job 21:22 challenge my assumptions about divine justice and the problem of suffering?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "teach God knowledge" or presume to understand His ways fully?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and trust in God's unsearchable wisdom, even when His actions seem incomprehensible?**
* **What does it mean practically to live in submission to a God who judges "those that are high"?**

### FAQ
**What does "those that are high" refer to in Job 21:22?**

Answer: The phrase "those that are high" (Hebrew: *ramim*) is comprehensive, referring to any exalted or powerful entity. This can include: 1) **Earthly rulers and powerful individuals:** God's judgment extends even to kings and potentates who might otherwise seem beyond accountability. 2) **Nations or empires:** God exercises sovereignty over the rise and fall of kingdoms. 3) **Spiritual beings or angelic hosts:** Some interpretations suggest it could even encompass angelic powers or cosmic forces, emphasizing God's dominion over all realms, visible and invisible. The core message is that no being, no matter how elevated or mighty, is beyond God's ultimate authority and judgment. This reinforces the idea that if God judges such powerful entities, He certainly does not need instruction from humanity (see [Psalm 82:1](/psalms/82-1 "Psalm 82:1 - God stands in the divine assembly")).

**How does Job 21:22 relate to the broader biblical theme of God's hiddenness or incomprehensibility?**

Answer: Job 21:22 is a powerful affirmation of God's transcendence and His "hiddenness" in certain aspects of His wisdom and judgment. It directly challenges the notion that humans can fully grasp or dictate God's ways. Throughout Scripture, there's a tension between God's revelation of Himself and His ultimate incomprehensibility. While God reveals enough for us to know Him and His will (e.g., [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Belong to the Lord")), there remain "secret things" that belong only to Him. This verse underscores that God's knowledge is perfect and His judgments are beyond our full understanding, particularly when they don't align with our expectations of immediate retribution or justice. It encourages a faith that trusts God's character even when His methods are mysterious, echoing sentiments found in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher Than Ours").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 21:22, with its declaration of God's unassailable wisdom and supreme authority, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest revelation in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament often speaks of God's incomprehensible wisdom (e.g., [Isaiah 40:13](/isaiah/40-13 "Isaiah 40:13 - Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord?")), the New Testament reveals that Christ *is* the wisdom of God personified (see [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")). In Him, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden (compare [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). Furthermore, the verse states that God "judgeth those that are high," a truth profoundly manifested in Christ, to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father (as declared in [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father has Committed All Judgment to the Son")). Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, perfectly embodied the Father's sovereign will and wisdom, even when that path seemed illogical or weak to human eyes (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser Than Men")). His willingness to submit to the Father's seemingly inscrutable plan, even to the point of death on a cross, serves as the ultimate example of humility before divine wisdom, inviting us to trust God's perfect plan even when it defies our limited understanding, knowing that in Christ, God's ultimate justice and wisdom are fully revealed and accomplished.

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

Romans 11:34

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Isaiah 40:13

Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or [being] his counsellor hath taught him?

Isaiah 40:14

With whom took he counsel, and [who] instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

Job 36:22

Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

Psalms 82:1

¶ A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Revelation 20:1

¶ And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.