Job 35:11

KJV

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

KJV (with Strong's)

Who teacheth {H502} us more than the beasts {H929} of the earth {H776}, and maketh us wiser {H2449} than the fowls {H5775} of heaven {H8064}?

Complete Jewish Bible

who teaches us more than he teaches wild animals and makes us wiser than the birds in the air?'

Berean Standard Bible

who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’

American Standard Version

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of the heavens?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 35:11, spoken by Elihu, profoundly distinguishes humanity from the animal kingdom, asserting that God uniquely instructs and imparts wisdom to human beings in a way that transcends the mere instinctual existence of beasts and fowls. This verse highlights humanity's exceptional capacity to receive divine teaching and understanding, underscoring God's active engagement with humankind and challenging Job's perception of divine indifference by emphasizing God's role as the ultimate source of wisdom and moral guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Elihu's speeches, spanning [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's First Speech") through [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu's Concluding Speech"), serve as a crucial interlude between the dialogues of Job and his three friends and God's direct address to Job. Elihu, presented as younger and more insightful, aims to correct what he perceives as Job's self-righteousness and the friends' inadequate explanations for suffering. He argues that God is just and sovereign, and that suffering can be a means of divine instruction or discipline, not necessarily punishment for specific sins. In [Job 35](/job/35 "Job 35 - Elihu Continues His Argument"), Elihu specifically addresses Job's complaints about God's apparent silence and lack of concern, asserting that God is far greater than humans and does not need to justify Himself. This particular verse, [Job 35:11](/job/35-11 "Job 35:11 - God's Unique Instruction for Humanity"), directly counters Job's lament by emphasizing God's active, unique relationship with humanity, providing wisdom that elevates them above the animal kingdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with divine revelation or insight. Sages and wise men were respected figures, and the pursuit of wisdom was a significant intellectual and spiritual endeavor. The book of Job itself is a wisdom text, grappling with profound questions about suffering, justice, and the nature of God. The distinction between humans and animals was a common observation, but the theological implication that God *teaches* humans in a unique way speaks to a deeper understanding of humanity's place in creation. Unlike cultures that might deify animals or see humans as merely advanced animals, the biblical worldview, particularly as expressed here, posits a qualitative difference, rooted in God's specific design and interaction with humanity, which foreshadows the concept of humanity being made in God's image, as seen in [Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity Created in God's Image").

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Human Exceptionalism and Dignity**, highlighting humanity's unique position in creation, endowed with a capacity for rational thought, moral discernment, and spiritual connection that animals lack. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Pedagogy and Wisdom**, presenting God as the ultimate instructor who actively imparts wisdom to humanity, distinguishing this divine teaching from mere instinct or natural learning. This aligns with the pervasive biblical theme that true wisdom originates from God, as stated in [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - God Gives Wisdom"). Thirdly, it reinforces **God's Sovereignty and Active Involvement**, countering Job's despair by asserting that God is not distant or indifferent but is intimately involved in instructing humanity, even through challenging circumstances. This implies that God's ways, though often inscrutable to humans, are always purposeful and ultimately aimed at instruction and growth, a theme echoed in [Psalm 32:8](/psalm/32-8 "Psalm 32:8 - God's Guidance and Instruction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **teacheth us (Hebrew, _ya'alləp̄ēnū'_):** Derived from the root *'ālap̄* (אָלַף), this verb means "to teach," "to instruct," or "to guide." It implies a deliberate, active impartation of knowledge and understanding, not merely a passive acquisition. This teaching goes beyond instinctual learning and encompasses moral, spiritual, and practical wisdom necessary for human flourishing and relating to God. It suggests a divine curriculum for humanity.
* **wiser (Hebrew, _ḥākam'_):** From the root *ḥākam* (חָכַם), meaning "to be wise," "to act wisely," or "to understand." This wisdom is not just intellectual acumen but a comprehensive understanding that includes discernment, moral insight, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively in life. It signifies a profound capacity for spiritual and ethical reasoning that distinguishes humans from creatures driven solely by biological imperatives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth,"**: This clause posits a rhetorical question, asserting God's unique and superior instruction of humanity. Unlike animals, which operate primarily on instinct and learned behaviors limited to their survival and natural environment, humans are endowed with the capacity to receive and process complex divine teaching. This teaching encompasses moral principles, spiritual truths, and a deeper understanding of existence, setting humanity apart as recipients of a higher form of instruction.
* **"and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?"**: This parallel clause reinforces the first, specifying the *quality* of God's instruction: it makes humans "wiser." The "fowls of heaven" represent another facet of the animal kingdom, emphasizing the comprehensive distinction. The wisdom imparted is not merely information but the ability to discern, understand, and apply truth in ways that elevate human existence beyond purely physical or instinctual concerns, enabling a relationship with the divine.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's statement in Job 35:11 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to underscore his point. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is not meant to be answered but to provoke thought and affirm an undeniable truth: God's unique relationship with humanity. By framing it as a question, Elihu challenges Job's implied premise that God is distant or uncaring. Secondly, the verse utilizes **Comparison and Contrast**, explicitly setting "us" (humanity) against "the beasts of the earth" and "the fowls of heaven." This stark contrast highlights the qualitative difference between human beings and the rest of creation, emphasizing humanity's elevated status and distinct capacity for divine instruction. Finally, there is a clear instance of **Parallelism**, specifically a synthetic or synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?") reiterates and amplifies the idea presented in the first clause ("Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth"). This repetition strengthens the assertion that God's teaching imparts not just knowledge, but profound wisdom, distinguishing humans from all other creatures.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 35:11 articulates a profound theological truth about humanity's unique standing in creation and God's particular relationship with us. It implies that our capacity for abstract thought, moral reasoning, and spiritual discernment is a direct gift from God, setting us apart from the instinct-driven animal kingdom. This distinction is not merely intellectual but spiritual, suggesting that God actively engages with humanity to impart wisdom that guides our lives and enables us to understand His ways. Elihu uses this point to counter Job's despair, reminding him that God is not silent but is always teaching, even through circumstances that seem inexplicable. This divine instruction elevates human existence beyond mere survival, calling us to a life of purpose and moral accountability rooted in God's wisdom.

* [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - Humanity Created in God's Image")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - God Gives Wisdom")
* [Psalm 32:8](/psalm/32-8 "Psalm 32:8 - God's Guidance and Instruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 35:11 serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent dignity and profound responsibility bestowed upon humanity. We are not merely advanced animals, but beings uniquely created with the capacity to receive, understand, and apply divine wisdom. This verse challenges us to live in a manner commensurate with this extraordinary gift. It calls us to move beyond a life governed solely by instinct, immediate gratification, or worldly pressures, and instead to actively seek and submit to God's higher instruction. Recognizing that God "teacheth us" implies an ongoing, dynamic relationship where we are called to be diligent students of His Word and His ways, even when those ways are difficult to comprehend, as Job experienced. Our pursuit of wisdom should therefore be rooted in a humble recognition of God as its ultimate source, leading to lives characterized by moral discernment, spiritual depth, and a purposeful engagement with the world that reflects God's own wisdom and character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I acknowledge and live out my unique capacity to be "taught" by God, distinguishing myself from a purely instinctual existence?**
* **How does my daily pursuit of knowledge and understanding align with or diverge from seeking the divine wisdom God offers?**
* **How does Elihu's assertion that God teaches us, even through difficult circumstances, reshape my perspective on suffering or unanswered prayers?**
* **What practical steps can I take to more actively seek and apply the wisdom that God imparts, as highlighted in this verse?**

### FAQ
**What is Elihu's main point in Job 35:11?**

Answer: Elihu's main point in [Job 35:11](/job/35-11 "Job 35:11 - God's Unique Instruction for Humanity") is to assert God's active and unique instruction of humanity, setting us apart from the animal kingdom. He argues that God imparts wisdom and understanding to humans that transcends mere instinct, thus implying that God is not indifferent or silent, as Job sometimes perceived. Instead, God is actively engaged in teaching and guiding humanity, even through suffering, which can serve as a form of divine discipline or instruction, as Elihu suggests throughout his discourse in [Job 32-37](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's Speeches").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of the "image of God"?**

Answer: While the book of Job does not explicitly use the phrase "image of God" (*imago Dei*), [Job 35:11](/job/35-11 "Job 35:11 - God's Unique Instruction for Humanity") strongly implies the theological concept. By stating that God "teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven," Elihu highlights humanity's unique capacity for rational thought, moral discernment, and spiritual reception. This capacity is a key aspect of what it means to be created in God's image, as described in [Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity Created in God's Image"). It signifies that humans are designed for a relationship with God, capable of understanding His will and receiving His wisdom, which is a privilege and responsibility not afforded to other creatures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 35:11, with its assertion that God uniquely teaches and imparts wisdom to humanity, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not merely a teacher, but the very embodiment of divine wisdom, the Logos through whom all things were created and in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom Are All Treasures of Wisdom")). In the Old Testament, God taught through prophets, laws, and experiences; in the New Covenant, He teaches us directly through His Son. Jesus, as the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), illuminates the path to true wisdom, which is knowing God. He is "our wisdom from God—and our righteousness, holiness and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). Through His life, teachings, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Christ reveals the very heart of God and provides the ultimate instruction for living a life that transcends mere earthly existence, enabling believers to live by the Spirit rather than by the flesh or instinct ([Romans 8:5-6](/romans/8-5 "Romans 8:5-6 - Mind Set on the Spirit")). He is the divine Teacher who not only imparts wisdom but empowers us to live it, fulfilling humanity's unique calling to reflect God's image and wisdom in the world.

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 94:12

¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Job 32:8

But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Job 36:22

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

Genesis 1:26

¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:7

And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.