Job 25:2

KJV

Dominion and fear [are] with him, he maketh peace in his high places.

KJV (with Strong's)

Dominion {H4910} and fear {H6343} are with him, he maketh {H6213} peace {H7965} in his high places {H4791}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Dominion and fear belong to him; he makes peace in his high places.

Berean Standard Bible

“Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes harmony in the heights of heaven.

American Standard Version

Dominion and fear are with him; He maketh peace in his high places.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 25:2 presents Bildad the Shuhite's final, concise declaration, emphasizing God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty. It asserts that divine authority and the reverence it commands reside inherently with God, who meticulously maintains perfect order and tranquility even within the celestial realms. This profound statement serves as a theological cornerstone, highlighting the Creator's majestic power and control over all existence, subtly contrasting this divine perfection with the perceived chaos and suffering of the human condition, particularly Job's plight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 25:2 is the opening verse of Bildad's third and shortest speech (Job 25:1-6) in the poetic dialogue section of the Book of Job. This brief address immediately follows Job's powerful and comprehensive defense of his integrity (Job 23-24), where Job passionately longs for an audience with God to present his case. Bildad's speech, rather than engaging directly with Job's specific arguments, offers a general, almost perfunctory, reiteration of God's overwhelming power and majesty. It serves as the final contribution from Job's three friends, effectively concluding their attempts to persuade Job of his sinfulness before God Himself intervenes. The brevity and abstract nature of Bildad's words suggest a growing weariness or perhaps a recognition that their traditional theological framework is insufficient to address Job's unique suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a cultural milieu deeply concerned with the concept of divine justice and the problem of suffering (theodicy). The wisdom literature of this period, to which Job belongs, often explored the relationship between human conduct and divine recompense. Bildad, like Eliphaz and Zophar, operates within a conventional retribution theology, believing that God's justice dictates that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a reward for righteousness. This perspective was common in ancient Israel and surrounding cultures, where the gods were often seen as maintaining cosmic order through strict adherence to moral laws. Bildad's appeal to God's absolute dominion and the peace in His "high places" reflects a worldview where the divine realm is perfectly ordered, and any earthly disorder must, therefore, stem from human transgression.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **absolute sovereignty and dominion of God**, a central tenet of biblical theology. Bildad's assertion that "Dominion and fear are with him" echoes the ubiquitous scriptural affirmation of God's unchallengeable rule over all creation, as seen in [Psalm 103:19](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Sovereign Rule"). Secondly, the phrase "he maketh peace in his high places" highlights the theme of **divine order and cosmic harmony**. It speaks to God's meticulous control, not only over earthly affairs but also over the celestial realms, where perfect tranquility reigns. This contrasts sharply with the chaos and suffering Job experiences, implicitly challenging Job's perceived disorder in God's governance. Finally, while not explicitly stated, the verse, especially when read in conjunction with the subsequent verses (Job 25:3-6), implicitly reinforces the theme of **human insignificance and frailty before God's majesty**. The vast chasm between God's perfect, ordered dominion and humanity's limited understanding and inherent impurity is a recurring motif in the friends' arguments, aiming to humble Job, as also expressed in [Job 4:17-19](/job/4-17 "Job 4:17-19 - Can Mortal Man Be More Righteous Than God?").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dominion (Hebrew: מֶמְשָׁלָה, _memshalah_):** This noun signifies rule, authority, government, or power. Its use here emphasizes God's comprehensive and absolute control over all things, both visible and invisible. It denotes a universal and unchallengeable reign, not merely over a specific domain, but over all creation, from the smallest atom to the grandest galaxy.
* **Fear (Hebrew: וָפַחַד, _waphachad_):** This word, often translated as dread or terror, here conveys a profound sense of awe, reverence, and trembling that God's overwhelming power and majesty naturally inspire. It is not a servile fear of punishment, but a holy dread born from encountering the infinite, unapproachable glory of the Almighty, acknowledging His absolute supremacy and the appropriate response of all created beings.
* **High places (Hebrew: מְרוֹמָיו, _m'romav_):** This plural noun refers to the heights, the exalted places, or specifically the heavenly realms and celestial spheres. It signifies God's transcendent dwelling place and the sublime, spiritual dimension from which He exercises His universal rule. The "peace" made in these "high places" suggests a perfect, harmonious order within the divine and angelic realms, free from discord or chaos, serving as a testament to God's total control.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Dominion and fear [are] with him":** This opening clause asserts that absolute authority and the profound reverence it commands are inherent attributes of God. They are not external qualities bestowed upon Him, but intrinsic to His very being. "With him" emphasizes possession and inseparable association, meaning that God is the source and embodiment of all power and the object of all appropriate awe. This declaration immediately establishes God's supreme position above all creation.
* **"he maketh peace in his high places":** This second clause describes an active function of God's dominion: the establishment and maintenance of perfect order and harmony within the celestial realms. The "high places" refer to the heavenly spheres, the dwelling place of God and His angelic hosts. The "peace" (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם, _shalom_) here is not merely the absence of conflict, but a comprehensive well-being, wholeness, and perfect order. This signifies that God's control is so complete that even in the most exalted and powerful spiritual dimensions, He ensures perfect tranquility and alignment with His will, implying His ability to do the same on earth.

#### Literary Devices
Bildad's concise declaration in Job 25:2 employs several potent literary devices. The opening phrase, "**Dominion and fear [are] with him**," utilizes **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts (dominion representing power, fear representing the response to that power) are used to express a totality or a comprehensive concept – God's complete and awe-inspiring authority. This phrase also functions as a powerful **Assertion**, directly stating a fundamental truth about God's nature. The second clause, "**he maketh peace in his high places**," employs **Symbolism**, where "high places" metaphorically represent the heavenly, divine, and perfectly ordered realms, contrasting with the chaotic earthly experience. The act of "making peace" in such a transcendent realm highlights God's absolute control and His capacity to bring about perfect **Harmony**, even in the most sublime dimensions of existence. The verse as a whole serves as a form of **Didactic Statement**, intended to instruct and impress upon Job (and the reader) the unassailable truth of God's omnipotence and perfect order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 25:2, despite its origin in Bildad's flawed theological framework, articulates profound truths about God's character that resonate throughout scripture. It underscores the foundational biblical doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty, emphasizing that His dominion is not merely theoretical but actively exercised, bringing order and peace even to the most exalted realms. This divine control provides a theological anchor, assuring believers that despite appearances of chaos or suffering, a perfectly ordered divine will is ultimately at work. The peace God establishes in His "high places" serves as a powerful reminder of His capacity to bring shalom to all creation, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in His redemptive plan for humanity and the cosmos. This verse invites a posture of humble reverence and trust in the God who governs all things with perfect wisdom and power.

* [Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns")
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Peace and Calamity")
* [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy in Creation and Sustenance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 25:2, though spoken by a friend whose counsel was ultimately deemed incomplete, offers a vital perspective on the nature of God that remains profoundly relevant for contemporary believers. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, conflict, and personal struggles that feel overwhelming, the declaration that "Dominion and fear are with him" and that "he maketh peace in his high places" provides a powerful antidote to anxiety and despair. It calls us to lift our gaze beyond our immediate circumstances and remember that an infinitely powerful, perfectly ordered, and sovereign God is ultimately in control. This truth fosters humility, encouraging us to relinquish our attempts to control what is beyond our grasp and instead to trust in His perfect governance. It also cultivates a deep sense of awe and reverence, reminding us that the God who orchestrates peace in the heavens is also intimately involved in our lives, capable of bringing His peace into our chaotic situations. This perspective empowers us to live with greater faith, knowing that our ultimate security rests not in our understanding or control, but in the unshakeable dominion of the Almighty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's absolute "dominion and fear" impact your perspective on personal struggles or global events?**
* **What does it mean for God to "make peace in his high places," and how might this truth bring comfort or challenge to your own understanding of divine order?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust more fully in God's sovereign peace?**

### FAQ

**What does Bildad mean by "high places" in this verse?**

Answer: When Bildad says God "maketh peace in his high places," the "high places" (Hebrew: _m'romav_) primarily refer to the heavenly realms, the celestial spheres, or the exalted dwelling place of God. It signifies the spiritual dimensions beyond human perception, where God's perfect order and harmony are maintained without deviation. This contrasts with the earthly realm, which often appears chaotic and full of suffering, implying that God's perfect governance is evident in His own domain, even if it is not always discernible on earth. This concept of God's dwelling in the heavens is common throughout scripture, as seen in [Psalm 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the Heavens").

**How does this verse relate to the overall message of the Book of Job?**

Answer: Job 25:2 encapsulates the core theological argument of Job's friends: God is absolutely sovereign, perfectly just, and beyond human questioning. For Bildad, this truth implies that Job's suffering must be a consequence of sin, as God would not allow chaos or injustice in His perfectly ordered universe without cause. While the verse itself contains a profound truth about God's character, its application by Bildad is flawed. The Book of Job ultimately challenges this simplistic retribution theology, demonstrating that God's ways are far more complex than human understanding, and suffering is not always a direct result of sin. However, the verse's affirmation of God's dominion remains a central, unassailable truth that even Job himself acknowledges in his later speeches, albeit with a deeper understanding of God's mysterious wisdom, as in [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - Job's Confession of God's Omnipotence").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 25:2 is a declaration from the Old Testament, it finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "dominion and fear" that reside with God are perfectly embodied in Christ, who is the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). Christ, as the pre-existent Word, was the agent through whom God "maketh peace in his high places," for "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")). More specifically, the "peace" that God establishes in His heavenly realms is brought to earth and into human hearts through Christ's redemptive work. He is the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), who, "by the blood of his cross," reconciles "all things to himself, whether on earth or in heaven" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Through His sacrificial death, Christ broke the power of sin and chaos, offering humanity a path to peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith, Peace with God")) and establishing the foundation for the new heavens and new earth where righteousness and perfect peace will dwell eternally ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Thus, the abstract declaration of God's dominion and peace in Job 25:2 becomes a tangible reality in the cosmic reign and reconciling work of Jesus Christ.

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

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

Job 26:5

¶ Dead [things] are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

Job 26:14

Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Ephesians 1:20

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],

Ephesians 1:21

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1 Chronicles 29:11

Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.