Job 36:23

KJV

Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

KJV (with Strong's)

Who hath enjoined {H6485} him his way {H1870}? or who can say {H559}, Thou hast wrought {H6466} iniquity {H5766}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Who ever prescribed his course for him? Who ever said, 'What you are doing is wrong'?

Berean Standard Bible

Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’?

American Standard Version

Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 36:23, spoken by Elihu, serves as a profound rhetorical declaration of God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty, wisdom, and perfect righteousness. It asserts that no created being possesses the authority to dictate God's actions or to accuse Him of any wrongdoing or injustice. The verse encapsulates the theological truth that God operates according to His own perfect counsel, beyond human comprehension or judgment, thereby inviting humility and trust in His divine character amidst life's perplexing circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 36:23 is situated within Elihu's final and most extensive discourse, spanning chapters 32-37. Elihu, a younger man, positions himself as a mediator between Job and God, claiming to offer a fresh, divinely inspired perspective that surpasses the limited understanding of Job's three older friends. His speeches are characterized by a strong emphasis on God's majesty, power, and justice, often contrasting God's perfect ways with human fallibility and ignorance. In this particular section (Job 36:22-33), Elihu is extolling God's incomparable greatness, particularly His wisdom and power displayed in natural phenomena, as a means to humble Job and encourage him to submit to divine authority. Verse 23 acts as a powerful rhetorical climax to his argument that God is beyond human critique, setting the stage for Elihu's subsequent descriptions of God's awesome control over creation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a cultural milieu where the concept of divine sovereignty was paramount. Rulers and deities were often seen as absolute authorities, whose decrees were not to be questioned by their subjects. However, the specific cultural challenge in Job's narrative revolves around the prevailing retribution theology—the belief that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. Elihu, while departing from the friends' simplistic application of this theology, still operates within a framework that seeks to justify God's actions, even if those actions appear inscrutable to humans. The cultural expectation was that a righteous God would always act justly, and any perceived injustice by humans was a failure of human understanding, not divine character. This verse reinforces the ancient understanding of a transcendent deity whose ways are inherently higher than human paths, reflecting a common reverence for the unapproachable majesty of the divine.

* **Key Themes:** Job 36:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's Unquestionable Sovereignty and Aseity**. Elihu argues that God is not beholden to any external counsel or authority; He is self-existent and self-sufficient, acting purely from His own perfect will. This resonates with passages like [Psalm 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.") and [Isaiah 40:13-14](/isaiah/40-13-14 "Isaiah 40:13-14 - Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as his counselor has instructed him?"). Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Perfect Justice and Righteousness**. By asserting that no one can accuse God of iniquity, Elihu affirms God's intrinsic moral perfection, even when His actions seem inscrutable to human eyes. This theme is foundational to understanding God's character throughout Scripture, as seen in [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."). Finally, the verse implicitly emphasizes **Human Limitation and Humility before God**. The rhetorical questions expose the profound chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine wisdom, urging Job—and all readers—to adopt a posture of humility and reverence rather than presumptuous judgment. This aligns with the wisdom literature's call to fear the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, as stated in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enjoined (Hebrew, פקד, _paqad_):** This verb carries a wide semantic range, including "to visit, appoint, command, muster, inspect, take account of." In this context, "enjoined" (KJV) or "appointed" (ESV) signifies giving orders, dictating, or imposing a command. The rhetorical question "Who hath enjoined him his way?" thus challenges the notion that any being could possibly instruct or command God, emphasizing His absolute autonomy and supreme authority. God is not subject to external counsel or higher decree; He is the ultimate Lawgiver and orchestrator.
* **Way (Hebrew, דרך, _derekh_):** This noun refers to a "path, road, journey," but metaphorically, it denotes one's conduct, course of action, or manner of life. When applied to God, "His way" refers to His divine plan, His methods, His moral character, and the entirety of His actions in creation and providence. The question implies that God's actions are self-determined and perfectly aligned with His inherent nature, not influenced or directed by any external entity.
* **Wrought Iniquity (Hebrew, עשה עול, _'asah 'awel_):** This phrase literally means "to do wrong" or "to commit injustice." The noun _'awel_ (עול) specifically denotes perversity, injustice, or unrighteousness. The rhetorical question "or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?" is a forceful denial of any possibility that God could act unjustly, unfairly, or wickedly. It affirms God's absolute moral perfection, His inherent holiness, and His unwavering commitment to righteousness in all His dealings, even when those dealings are beyond human comprehension.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who hath enjoined him his way?":** This first rhetorical question challenges the very premise of anyone having authority over God. It asserts that God is utterly sovereign and independent. No one has the right, power, or wisdom to dictate God's actions, plans, or methods. He is the ultimate source of all authority, not subject to any higher power or external counsel. This highlights God's aseity—His existence and nature are entirely from Himself, not derived from anything else.
* **"or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?":** This second rhetorical question serves as a powerful affirmation of God's perfect moral character. It refutes any notion that God could be accused of injustice, wrongdoing, or moral error. Elihu is declaring God's absolute righteousness and integrity. Even in the face of Job's immense suffering, which might tempt one to question God's fairness, Elihu insists that God's actions are always just and righteous, even if their purpose is hidden from human understanding.

#### Literary Devices
Job 36:23 primarily employs **Rhetorical Questions**. Elihu poses two direct questions not to elicit information, but to make a forceful assertion: no one can command God, and no one can accuse Him of injustice. These questions compel the listener (Job, and by extension, the reader) to acknowledge the self-evident truth of God's supreme authority and perfect righteousness. The structure also exhibits a form of **Parallelism** or **Antithesis**, where the two questions, though distinct, reinforce a singular overarching theme of God's unchallengeable nature. The first question focuses on God's sovereignty over His actions ("His way"), while the second focuses on His moral character ("wrought iniquity"), together forming a comprehensive declaration of His absolute perfection in both power and ethics. This dual emphasis creates a powerful and undeniable statement about the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 36:23 articulates a core theological truth about God's nature: His absolute sovereignty and perfect righteousness are beyond human questioning or judgment. This verse speaks to God's aseity, meaning He is self-existent and not dependent on anything outside of Himself, nor is He accountable to anyone. His "way" is His own, perfectly conceived and executed, and His actions are inherently just because they flow from His perfectly righteous character. This perspective is vital for cultivating humility and trust in believers, especially when faced with suffering or inexplicable circumstances, reminding us that God's wisdom and justice operate on a plane far above human comprehension. It calls us to rest in the assurance that the one who governs all things is incapable of error or malice.

* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.")
* [Isaiah 45:9](/isaiah/45-9 "Isaiah 45:9 - Woe to him who strives with his Maker, an earthen vessel with the potter! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making'? or 'Your work has no handles'?")
* [Psalm 145:17](/psalms/145-17 "Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 36:23 presents a profound challenge and comfort to the human spirit. In a world where we often feel entitled to understand and even critique every event, this verse calls us to a posture of profound humility before the Creator. It reminds us that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.")). When life's circumstances seem chaotic, unjust, or inexplicable, this verse provides an anchor: our God is perfectly just, perfectly wise, and perfectly sovereign. We are invited not to understand all of His reasons, but to trust in His character. This trust frees us from the burden of needing to justify God or to comprehend His every move, allowing us instead to rest in His unfailing goodness and unblemished righteousness. It encourages us to shift from questioning His actions to worshipping His nature, finding peace in His ultimate control and perfect design, even when the path ahead is shrouded in mystery.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's unquestionable sovereignty affect my perspective on personal suffering or global injustices?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to question God's "way" or accuse Him of "iniquity," and how can I cultivate greater trust?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my humility and reverence before God, rather than presuming to understand or judge His actions?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that humans should never ask "why" or express their pain to God, as Job did?**

Answer: Not at all. While Job 36:23 emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and perfect righteousness, it doesn't forbid honest lament or questioning from a place of pain and dependence, as seen throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?")). The key distinction lies in the posture of the heart. Job's initial laments, though raw, ultimately stemmed from a desire for vindication and understanding from God, not an accusation of inherent injustice or a demand for God to conform to human standards. Elihu's point, and the ultimate message of Job, is that while we can cry out to God, we must do so with humility, recognizing His infinite wisdom and our finite understanding. We cannot "enjoin" Him His way or legitimately accuse Him of "iniquity" as if we were His judge. True faith allows for honest wrestling while maintaining a foundational trust in God's good character, as Job himself ultimately did when he declared, "[I know that my Redeemer lives](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 36:23, with its declaration of God's unchallengeable sovereignty and perfect righteousness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "way" of God, which no one can enjoin, is perfectly embodied in the life and mission of Christ, who declared, "[I am the way, and the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"). Jesus perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.")), demonstrating that God's "way" is one of self-giving love and redemptive purpose. Furthermore, the assertion that no one can accuse God of having "wrought iniquity" is powerfully vindicated in Christ. Jesus, "[who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.")," lived a perfectly righteous life, fulfilling all justice on our behalf. His atoning sacrifice on the cross was not an act of divine injustice, but the ultimate demonstration of God's righteousness and love, satisfying the demands of His holy law while providing salvation for sinners ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.")). Thus, in Christ, we see the perfect "way" of God unfolded and His impeccable righteousness displayed, inviting us not to question, but to worship the One who is "[the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.").

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

Job 8:3

Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Isaiah 40:13

Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or [being] his counsellor hath taught him?

Isaiah 40:14

With whom took he counsel, and [who] instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Job 34:10

¶ Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity.

Romans 11:34

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?