Job 26:6

KJV

Hell [is] naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hell {H7585} is naked {H6174} before him, and destruction {H11} hath no covering {H3682}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'ol is naked before him; Abaddon lies uncovered.

Berean Standard Bible

Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.

American Standard Version

Sheol is naked beforeGod, And Abaddon hath no covering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 26:6 stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute omniscience and boundless sovereignty, asserting His complete visibility and control over even the most hidden and terrifying realms of existence. This verse, embedded within Job's magnificent discourse on divine power, reveals that nothing, not even the deepest recesses of the underworld or the ultimate state of perdition, can escape God's all-penetrating gaze or His supreme authority. It underscores the unparalleled nature of God's knowledge, which extends far beyond human comprehension, encompassing all dimensions of reality, seen and unseen.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's powerful response to Bildad's brief and somewhat limited discourse in [Job 25](/job/25 "Job 25 - Bildad's Final Speech"). Job 26 marks a pivotal moment where Job, despite his suffering and ongoing debate with his friends, delivers a breathtaking poetic ode to God's incomprehensible power and wisdom. He systematically describes God's dominion over creation—the cosmos, the earth, and the seas—before moving to the unseen realms. Verse 6 specifically addresses God's sovereignty over Sheol and Abaddon, demonstrating that His power is not confined to the visible world but extends to the ultimate mysteries of death and destruction, thereby surpassing the theological scope of his friends.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of the underworld (often referred to as Sheol in Hebrew thought) was a pervasive, albeit mysterious, aspect of cosmology. It was generally understood as the shadowy realm where all the dead, regardless of their moral standing, resided. It was a place of no return, often depicted as deep, dark, and covered. The idea that this hidden, unsearchable place could be "naked" or "uncovered" before a deity was a radical assertion of that deity's supreme power and knowledge. This perspective contrasts sharply with the common human fear and ignorance surrounding death, highlighting God's unique transcendence over all limitations, including those perceived in the afterlife.
* **Key Themes:** Job 26:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Omniscience and Omnipresence**, emphasizing that God's knowledge and presence are not limited by any physical or metaphysical boundary. The verse also reinforces **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, particularly over life and death, demonstrating His ultimate control even over the finality of the grave and the forces of destruction. This challenges the human tendency to limit God's power or to believe that any realm exists outside His purview. Furthermore, it subtly underscores the theme of **Human Limitation vs. Divine Transcendence**, as Job's profound understanding of God's power far exceeds the more conventional and less expansive views of his friends, as seen in their earlier speeches (e.g., [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") or [Job 8](/job/8 "Job 8 - Bildad's First Speech")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hell (Hebrew, _Sheol'_):** In the Old Testament, _Sheol_ refers to the grave, the underworld, or the realm of the dead. It is not equivalent to the New Testament concept of Gehenna (a place of eternal conscious torment) but rather the common abode of all departed souls. The KJV's translation "Hell" here reflects an older English usage for the unseen world. Job's point is that even this mysterious, hidden realm, where human knowledge ceases, is fully exposed and transparent to God.
* **Destruction (Hebrew, _Abaddon'_):** This word literally means "place of destruction" or "perdition." It is often used in parallel with _Sheol_ and refers to the deepest parts of the underworld, a place of utter ruin or annihilation. The pairing of _Sheol_ and _Abaddon_ emphasizes the totality of the unseen, death-related realms. The declaration that _Abaddon_ "hath no covering" reiterates the absolute transparency of even the most profound depths of ruin to God's sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hell [is] naked before him":** This clause vividly portrays God's complete and unobstructed knowledge of _Sheol_, the realm of the dead. The imagery of "naked" implies utter exposure, transparency, and lack of concealment. Nothing within this mysterious, hidden domain—no departed soul, no secret of death—is hidden from God's all-seeing eyes. His knowledge penetrates every veil and reaches every depth.
* **"and destruction hath no covering":** This parallel clause reinforces the first, using _Abaddon_ (destruction) as a synonym or intensification of _Sheol_. The phrase "hath no covering" further emphasizes the absolute visibility and accessibility of these realms to God. It means that even the most profound depths of ruin and perdition are fully revealed to Him, lacking any form of concealment or protection from His divine gaze. This underscores God's total sovereignty and comprehensive knowledge over all aspects of existence, including those most terrifying and unknown to humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Job 26:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Personification** is evident in the depiction of "Hell" and "destruction" as entities that can be "naked" or "have no covering," giving them human-like attributes of being exposed. This vivid imagery enhances the sense of their vulnerability before God. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, where the second clause ("and destruction hath no covering") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("Hell [is] naked before him"). This synonymous parallelism reinforces the central idea of God's absolute knowledge and sovereignty over the unseen realms. Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** is present, as the concept of the underworld being "naked" or "uncovered" is an exaggerated way to emphasize God's limitless omniscience, implying a level of transparency that defies human understanding of hidden places.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 26:6 offers a profound theological statement about the nature of God, asserting His absolute omniscience and omnipresence. It teaches us that there is no place, no state of being, no secret, however deep or hidden, that is beyond God's knowledge or His sovereign control. This truth provides immense comfort, knowing that even in the face of death and the unknown, we are never outside of God's sight. Conversely, it also serves as a solemn reminder of divine accountability, as all things are laid bare before Him. This understanding elevates God far above any human or created power, establishing Him as the ultimate authority over all realms, visible and invisible.

* [Proverbs 15:11](/proverbs/15-11 "Proverbs 15:11 - God Sees Sheol and Abaddon")
* [Psalm 139:7-8](/psalm/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-8 - God's Omnipresence in Sheol")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 26:6 calls us to a deeper awe and reverence for the God who sees all and knows all, even the mysteries of death and destruction. In a world where so much is hidden, unknown, or feared, this verse assures us that God's gaze penetrates every veil. For those who walk through seasons of profound grief, loss, or uncertainty, it offers immense comfort: our loved ones who have passed are not in a realm unknown to God; He sees them, and He reigns over that domain. For those who struggle with hidden sins or secret fears, it reminds us that true freedom comes from acknowledging that nothing is hidden from Him, prompting genuine repentance and trust in His grace. This verse encourages us to live with integrity, knowing that our every thought and action, whether public or private, is fully known to the One who oversees all. It compels us to trust in His sovereignty even when life's circumstances seem chaotic or beyond our comprehension, resting in the truth that He is in control of all things, even those we cannot see.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the knowledge that "Hell is naked before him" impact your understanding of God's omniscience and sovereignty?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to feel hidden or believe things are unknown to God? How does this verse challenge those perceptions?**
* **How can the truth of God's complete knowledge over death and the unseen bring comfort or challenge to your faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "Hell" mean in Job 26:6?**

Answer: In Job 26:6, the King James Version's translation of "Hell" refers to the Hebrew word _Sheol_ (שְׁאוֹל). In the Old Testament, _Sheol_ generally denotes the grave, the underworld, or the realm of the dead—the common abode where all departed souls go. It does not carry the specific New Testament connotation of a place of eternal conscious torment (like Gehenna, as seen in [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear Him Who Can Destroy Soul and Body in Hell")). Job's point is that even this mysterious, unseen realm of the dead, which is hidden from human eyes, is fully transparent and known to God. The parallel term "destruction" (Hebrew _Abaddon_) further emphasizes this, referring to the deepest parts of the underworld, also completely exposed to God's divine gaze.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 26:6, with its declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over "Hell" (Sheol) and "destruction" (Abaddon), finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job speaks of God's *knowledge* and *dominion* over these realms, the New Testament reveals God's *victory* over them through His Son. Jesus Christ, through His death, burial, and resurrection, entered the realm of death and emerged victorious, thereby demonstrating God's ultimate power over Sheol. The Apostle Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, proclaimed that God "raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it" ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus, Loosing the Pangs of Death")). Furthermore, Christ holds "the keys of Death and Hades" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")), signifying His supreme authority over these very realms that Job declared were "naked before Him." The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate demonstration that not only is the underworld visible to God, but it is also subject to His power to bring forth life, conquering the very "destruction" that Job mentions. Through Christ, believers are assured that death is not the final word, for He has swallowed up death in victory ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")).

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

Psalms 139:8

If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].

Proverbs 15:11

¶ Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Job 28:22

Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

Amos 9:2

Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

Isaiah 14:9

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet [thee] at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, [even] all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

Job 11:8

[It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

Psalms 139:11

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.