Job 35:15

This verse is part of Elihu's discourse, which begins in Job chapter 32. Elihu, the youngest of Job's counselors, aims to correct both Job's self-righteous complaints and the overly simplistic arguments of Job's three friends. He argues that God is just and powerful, and that suffering can be a form of divine discipline or instruction, not solely punishment for sin. In Job chapter 35, Elihu specifically addresses Job's assertion that God is indifferent to human actions or suffering. Job had implied there was no advantage in being righteous if God did not intervene or punish evil, as seen in Job 34:9. Elihu counters this by affirming God's active involvement and unfailing justice.

Meaning of the Verse

The King James Version of Job 35:15 presents a challenging and nuanced translation:

"But now, because [it is] not [so], he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth [it] not in great extremity:"

Elihu is essentially asserting that Job's perception of God's inactivity or indifference is mistaken. Let's break down the phrases:

• "But now, because [it is] not [so]": This refers to Job's mistaken belief that God is inactive or unconcerned with human affairs, or that God does not bring consequences for sin. Elihu insists this is not the case; God does act.
• "he hath visited in his anger": God intervenes and brings consequences, sometimes in anger, against injustice or rebellion. This directly refutes Job's idea of divine indifference and highlights God's active role in judging wickedness.
• "yet he knoweth [it] not in great extremity": This is the most debated and difficult phrase. It can be interpreted in several ways, often implying God's patience or Job's lack of full understanding:
  • God's Patience: God has acted, but not to the full extent of His wrath or judgment. He holds back "in great extremity" of His anger, showing immense patience and allowing for repentance rather than immediate, overwhelming judgment.
  • Job's Ignorance: Job, or humanity in general, does not fully comprehend the extent of God's ways, His justice, or the wisdom behind His actions. They do not grasp the "great extremity" of God's knowledge or power.

  Given Elihu's overall argument for God's profound wisdom and justice, and against Job's complaints of divine neglect, the interpretation leaning towards God's patience or Job's limited understanding seems most consistent with Elihu's discourse.

Key Themes

• Divine Justice and Sovereignty: Elihu emphasizes that God is not passive but actively involved in human affairs, ensuring justice, even if His methods or timing are not immediately clear to humans. This underscores God's absolute sovereignty and righteousness.
• Human Misunderstanding of God: A central theme throughout Job is the limited human perspective versus God's infinite wisdom and justice. Job, in his profound suffering, struggles to comprehend God's ways, and Elihu attempts to bridge this gap, asserting that God's thoughts are far above our own (Isaiah 55:8-9).
• God's Patience and Restraint: The phrase "he knoweth [it] not in great extremity" can highlight God's mercy and patience, suggesting that His judgment, though real, is often tempered with restraint, giving space for a change of heart.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew underlying "yet he knoweth [it] not in great extremity" (וְלֹא יָדַע בַּשֶּׁקֶל לָרֹב, ve-lo yada ba-sheqel la-rov) is indeed complex and contributes significantly to the verse's difficulty in translation. The word for "extremity" (לָרֹב, larov) can mean "abundance," "greatness," or "much." "Knoweth" (יָדַע, yada) can imply understanding, experiencing, or taking notice. Some scholars interpret this phrase as God not fully expressing or unleashing the full measure of His anger, or that Job does not perceive the full extent of God's justice or the reasons for His actions. This ambiguity underscores the profound mystery of God's dealings with humanity.

Practical Application

• Trust in God's Ways: This verse reminds us that even when we don't understand God's actions or why He allows certain circumstances, He remains just and sovereign. Our limited perspective often prevents us from seeing the full picture of His divine plan.
• God's Patience Endures: The idea that God does not act "in great extremity" of His anger can be a profound comfort, reminding us of His patience and His desire for humanity to turn to Him rather than face immediate, full judgment. This divine restraint is a call to repentance and faith.
• Re-evaluate Our Complaints: Like Job, we can sometimes accuse God of indifference or injustice when we face hardship. Elihu's words encourage us to re-examine our complaints and acknowledge God's active presence and righteous character, even amidst suffering. Who are we to question God?