Job 36:22

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

Behold, God {H410} exalteth {H7682} by his power {H3581}: who teacheth {H3384} like him?

"Look, God is exalted in his strength; who is a teacher like him?

Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?

Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?

Context

Job 36:22 is part of Elihu's discourse to Job and his three friends. Elihu, the youngest of the four, presents a perspective that aims to justify God's actions and wisdom, often suggesting that God uses suffering not necessarily as punishment for specific sin, but for instruction, purification, and to reveal His own majesty. In this chapter, Elihu emphasizes God's greatness, power, and justice, particularly as manifested in nature and His providential dealings with humanity. He calls Job and the others to consider God's sovereignty and His unparalleled wisdom in all things, setting the stage for God's own appearance later in the book.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty: The phrase "God exalteth by his power" highlights that God's supreme position and authority are inherent to His boundless strength. He doesn't need external validation; His power is the source of His greatness and ability to govern all creation. This speaks to God's absolute control and majesty over all things.
  • God as the Ultimate Teacher: The rhetorical question, "who teacheth like him?" underscores God's unique and unparalleled ability to instruct. God teaches not only through direct revelation and His Word, but also through life experiences, natural phenomena, and the consequences of actions. His teaching is perfect, comprehensive, and ultimately for our good, even when it comes through difficult circumstances, as seen in Psalm 94:12.
  • Unsearchable Wisdom: Elihu’s statement points to the profound depth of God's wisdom, which far surpasses human understanding. This wisdom is evident in His power and His methods of instruction, which are often beyond our comprehension, as emphasized in Isaiah 55:9 where God's thoughts and ways are described as higher than ours.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "exalteth" is nāśāʾ (נָשָׂא), which means "to lift up," "to carry," or "to exalt." Here, it speaks to God's self-exaltation and His inherent loftiness due to His power. The term for "teacheth" is yārāh (יָרָה), which means "to instruct," "to guide," or "to show the way." It implies a comprehensive form of instruction, not just imparting knowledge but guiding one along a path. The rhetorical question emphasizes God's unique pedagogical role, implying that no one else possesses such perfect wisdom and ability to instruct effectively.

Practical Application

Job 36:22 calls us to a posture of humility and reverence before God. Recognizing that God "exalteth by his power" encourages us to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we don't understand it. His power ensures His perfect control and ultimate good purposes. Furthermore, acknowledging that "who teacheth like him?" reminds us to eagerly seek God's instruction in all areas of life. Whether through His written Word, the lessons of nature, or the trials we face, God is continually teaching. This verse encourages us to be attentive students of God's wisdom, knowing that His guidance is always unparalleled and leads to true understanding and spiritual growth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 2:7

    The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

  • 1 Samuel 2:8

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

  • Luke 1:52

    He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.

  • Romans 13:1

    ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

  • Jeremiah 27:5

    I have made the earth, the man and the beast that [are] upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

  • Jeremiah 27:8

    And it shall come to pass, [that] the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

  • Isaiah 48:17

    Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back