Job 26:14

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Lo, these are parts {H7098} of his ways {H1870}: but how little {H8102} a portion {H1697} is heard {H8085} of him? but the thunder {H7482} of his power {H1369} who can understand {H995}?

Complete Jewish Bible

And these are but the fringes of his ways; how faint the echo we hear of him! But who is able to grasp the meaning of his thundering power?"

Berean Standard Bible

Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”

American Standard Version

Lo, these are but the outskirts of his ways: And how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 26:14 serves as a profound climax to Job's magnificent discourse on God's sovereignty and power over creation. In this verse, Job humbly acknowledges that even the most awe-inspiring cosmic wonders and divine acts he has described are but mere glimpses—the "parts" or "edges"—of God's infinite majesty and incomprehensible power. It underscores the vast chasm between humanity's finite understanding and the immeasurable reality of God's being, culminating in a rhetorical question that highlights the unsearchable depth of His might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 26:14 concludes Job's third and final response to Bildad, a speech notable for its shift from self-defense to a profound declaration of God's unparalleled sovereignty. Unlike previous chapters where Job wrestled with his suffering and questioned divine justice, here he silences his friends not by refuting their arguments directly, but by exalting God's power in a way that dwarfs all human understanding and theological debate. The preceding verses ([Job 26:5-13](/job/26-5 "Job 26:5-13 - God's Power Over Creation")) detail God's control over the underworld, the heavens, the clouds, the sea, and even mythical chaos monsters like Rahab and the fleeing serpent, building a crescendo of divine might. Verse 14 acts as the ultimate summation, declaring that all these grand displays are but the "fringes" of God's ways, leading to the rhetorical question about the incomprehensibility of His full power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of divine power was often associated with control over the chaotic forces of nature and the cosmos. Storm gods, like Baal, were revered for their thunder and rain, symbolizing their dominion. However, Job's description of Yahweh's power transcends these pagan conceptions. His reference to God taming "Rahab" and piercing "the fleeing serpent" ([Job 26:12-13](/job/26-12 "Job 26:12-13 - God's Victory Over Chaos")) echoes ancient creation myths where deities battled primordial chaos monsters to establish order. Job, however, attributes this ultimate, effortless control to Yahweh alone, not as a struggle but as a mere act of His will. This context elevates God's power beyond any human or mythological comparison, emphasizing His singular, unchallengeable authority over all creation and chaos, which was a radical theological assertion in its time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Transcendence and Incomprehensibility**, asserting that God's power, wisdom, and ways far exceed human capacity to grasp. What we perceive is only a tiny fraction of His reality, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 55:9](/isaiah/55-9 "Isaiah 55:9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours") where God declares His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Infinite Power and Majesty**. Despite the grand descriptions of creation in [Job 26](/job/26 "Job 26 - Job's Exaltation of God's Power"), Job insists these are merely "parts" or "extremities" of God's work. The "thunder of his power" symbolizes an overwhelming, uncontainable might that no human can fully comprehend or withstand. Finally, the verse underscores **Human Limitation and Humility**. Job's statement is a profound admission of humanity's finite understanding in the face of an infinite God. It calls for humility and reverence, acknowledging that our knowledge is always partial, a sentiment that resonates with [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parts (Hebrew, _qetsot'_):** The Hebrew word קְצֹות (_qetsot_), derived from the root קָצֶה (_qatseh_), literally means "ends," "extremities," "borders," or "fringes." In this context, it powerfully conveys that all the wonders Job has just described—God's control over the deep, the heavens, and even mythical creatures—are not the totality of God's work or power, but merely the outermost edges or borders of His immense being. It suggests an immeasurable vastness beyond what is revealed, hinting at the infinite nature of God.
* **Thunder (Hebrew, _ra'am'_):** The Hebrew word רַעַם (_ra'am_) refers to "thunder" or "a loud noise." In biblical literature, thunder is frequently associated with the direct voice, presence, or powerful manifestation of God. It signifies His overwhelming power, judgment, and majesty, often accompanying divine revelation or intervention (e.g., [Psalm 29:3-9](/psalm/29-3 "Psalm 29:3-9 - The Voice of the Lord")). It is a sound that inspires awe, fear, and reverence, being impossible for humans to fully comprehend, control, or escape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lo, these [are] parts of his ways:"** Job begins with an exclamation ("Lo!") to draw attention to the profound truth he is about to utter. The "these" refers to all the magnificent displays of God's power and creative might that Job has just enumerated in [Job 26:5-13](/job/26-5 "Job 26:5-13 - God's Power Over Creation"). By calling them "parts" or "extremities" (_qetsot_), Job asserts that even these grandest manifestations are not the full extent of God's being or activity, but merely the visible, perceivable fringes of His infinite power and wisdom. It's a humble recognition that humanity's grasp of God is inherently limited.
* **"but how little a portion is heard of him?"** This rhetorical question immediately follows, emphasizing the inadequacy of human perception and understanding. The "little portion" (literally "a whisper" or "a faint sound") suggests that what humans manage to "hear" or comprehend of God's vastness is incredibly minuscule, akin to a whisper compared to a roaring ocean. It highlights the profound mystery surrounding God and the limits of human knowledge in apprehending His full nature, wisdom, and purposes.
* **"but the thunder of his power who can understand?"** This final rhetorical question serves as the powerful climax. The "thunder of his power" refers to the full, overwhelming, and uncontainable might of God, symbolized by the most awe-inspiring and uncontrollable natural phenomenon. The question "who can understand?" expects the answer "no one," reinforcing the absolute incomprehensibility of God's ultimate power. It implies that if even the "whispers" of His ways are barely heard, then the full "thunder" of His power is utterly beyond human comprehension or intellectual grasp, demanding a posture of profound awe and humility.

#### Literary Devices
Job 26:14 is rich in **Imagery**, particularly the contrast between the "whisper" and the "thunder" of God's power, which vividly illustrates the vast disparity between human perception and divine reality. The verse employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the immeasurable nature of God's power; by stating that only a "little portion" is heard and that even the grand displays are just "parts," Job exaggerates the smallness of human understanding to highlight the infinite greatness of God. The entire verse culminates in a powerful **Rhetorical Question** ("but the thunder of his power who can understand?"), which is not meant to be answered but to provoke contemplation and underscore the unsearchable nature of God's might. The use of **Contrast** between the "parts" and the implied "whole," and between the "whisper" and the "thunder," further amplifies the central message of divine incomprehensibility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 26:14 profoundly articulates the theological concept of divine transcendence and incomprehensibility, a cornerstone of biblical theology. It asserts that God's being, power, and wisdom are so infinitely vast that human intellect can only ever grasp a fleeting glimpse, a mere "whisper" of His true nature. This truth cultivates humility and awe, reminding humanity of its finite limitations in the face of an infinite Creator. It stands as a powerful counter-narrative to any attempt to reduce God to human categories or to fully comprehend His ways, inviting a posture of worshipful wonder rather than exhaustive analysis. This perspective is not meant to frustrate but to inspire deeper trust in a God whose wisdom and power far exceed our capacity to understand, especially in times of suffering when His purposes may seem hidden.

* [Psalm 145:3](/psalm/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - God's Greatness Unsearchable")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - Doxology to God's Wisdom")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Understanding is Unsearchable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 26:14 calls us to a profound posture of humility and awe before the Creator. In a world that often seeks to dissect, categorize, and control everything, this verse stands as a powerful reminder that God remains ultimately mysterious and beyond our full grasp. It challenges us to move beyond a merely intellectual understanding of God and to embrace the wonder of His incomprehensible greatness. This means cultivating a heart that marvels at the vastness of His creation and the intricacies of His providence, recognizing that even what we perceive is but a tiny fraction of His glory. It encourages us to find comfort and peace not in fully understanding God's every move, but in trusting the character of a God whose infinite wisdom and power are always at work, even when His purposes are hidden from our limited view. This perspective can bring profound peace and resilience, especially when facing life's unanswerable questions or inexplicable sufferings, much like Job's own experience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's incomprehensible power impact your sense of awe and worship?**
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept God's ways as beyond your understanding?**
* **How can the "thunder of his power" bring you comfort or challenge in your current circumstances?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of humility before God's infinite wisdom?**

### FAQ
**What does Job mean by "parts of his ways" and "little a portion is heard of him"?**

Answer: By "parts of his ways" (Hebrew: _qetsot_), Job means that even the most spectacular and awe-inspiring displays of God's power and creative work that he has just described ([Job 26:5-13](/job/26-5 "Job 26:5-13 - God's Power Over Creation")) are merely the "extremities," "fringes," or "edges" of God's true, infinite being. They are not the totality but only a glimpse. The phrase "how little a portion is heard of him" (literally, "a whisper") further emphasizes this point. It means that what humanity is able to perceive or comprehend of God's vastness and activity is incredibly minuscule, akin to hearing only a faint whisper when God's full voice is a thunderous roar. It highlights the profound limitation of human understanding in grasping the infinite God.

**Why is "thunder" used to describe God's power in this context?**

Answer: "Thunder" (Hebrew: _ra'am_) is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's direct voice, presence, and overwhelming power. Throughout Scripture, thunder is often associated with divine revelation, judgment, and majestic might, such as when God speaks from Mount Sinai with thunder and lightning ([Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Thunder at Sinai")). In Job 26:14, the "thunder of his power" signifies the full, uncontainable, and utterly incomprehensible might of God that no human can fully grasp or withstand. It represents the raw, untamed, and infinite power of the Almighty, which stands in stark contrast to the "whisper" that is all humanity can perceive. It underscores that God's power is not just great, but utterly beyond human comprehension.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 26:14, with its declaration of God's incomprehensible power and wisdom, finds its ultimate fulfillment and revelation in Jesus Christ. While Job could only speak of the "parts" and "whispers" of God's ways, the New Testament reveals that in Christ, the fullness of God dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). Jesus is not merely a "part" of God's ways, but the very **Logos** through whom all things were made ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")), the exact imprint of God's nature ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). The "thunder of his power" that Job could not understand is made manifest in Christ's authority over creation, sickness, and death ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), and supremely in the power of His resurrection, which is the "immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe" ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Power in Resurrection")). In Christ, the previously unsearchable wisdom and power of God are revealed, not exhaustively, but sufficiently for humanity to know God personally and to be reconciled to Him, transforming the awe of the unknown into the worship of the known God who became flesh.

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

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth.

Isaiah 40:29

He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.

Psalms 145:3

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

Job 11:7

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

Job 11:9

The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Psalms 139:6

[Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.

1 Corinthians 13:9

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.