Job 36:5

KJV

¶ Behold, God [is] mighty, and despiseth not [any: he is] mighty in strength [and] wisdom.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, God {H410} is mighty {H3524}, and despiseth {H3988} not any: he is mighty {H3524} in strength {H3581} and wisdom {H3820}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Look, God is powerful and despises no one, powerful in his strength of understanding.

Berean Standard Bible

Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

American Standard Version

Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
A profound declaration by Elihu, articulates the majestic and unchallengeable nature of God, portraying Him as supremely powerful yet intimately attentive to all creation. This verse underscores that God's immense strength is not arbitrary but is always perfectly aligned with His infinite wisdom, ensuring His governance is both effective and just, never despising or disregarding any individual, even in their suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Elihu's extensive discourse, spanning [Job chapters 32-37](/job/32 "Job 32-37 - Elihu's Speeches"). Elihu, the youngest of Job's interlocutors, enters the debate after Job and his three friends have concluded their arguments, which largely centered on the premise that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. Elihu distinguishes himself by defending God's justice and sovereignty, suggesting that suffering can also serve as a means of divine discipline, instruction, or purification, rather than solely punishment. In the immediate context of [Job 36](/job/36 "Job 36 - Elihu's Defense of God's Justice"), Elihu is building a comprehensive case for God's greatness, wisdom, and perfect governance over creation, urging Job to reconsider his perception of God as indifferent or unjust. Elihu's aim is to correct Job's accusations against God's character and to foster a deeper trust in God's inscrutable ways, setting the stage for God's eventual direct address to Job.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely in the ancient Near East, a region where divine power and justice were central to religious understanding. In many ancient cultures, suffering was often directly correlated with divine disfavor or punishment for sin, a view strongly advocated by Job's first three friends. However, the book of Job challenges this simplistic theology. Elihu's statement in [Job 36:5](/job/36-5 "Job 36:5 - God's Mighty Wisdom and Impartiality") reflects a more nuanced understanding of God's character that transcends typical human retribution theology. The concept of a deity who is both immensely powerful and yet does not "despise" or disregard individuals, particularly the afflicted, would have been a profound theological assertion, challenging common perceptions of divine detachment or partiality toward the powerful. It speaks to a God whose justice is not merely retributive but also redemptive and wise, operating on principles far beyond human comprehension.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 36:5](/job/36-5 "Job 36:5 - God's Mighty Wisdom and Impartiality") encapsulates several core themes prevalent in the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **God's Omnipotence and Strength**, emphasizing His absolute power and irresistible force, a theme echoed throughout the book as a reminder that God's capabilities far exceed human comprehension or challenge. Secondly, the phrase "despiseth not any" introduces the theme of **God's Impartiality and Attentiveness**. This counters the notion that God might ignore the afflicted or only favor the powerful, asserting God's profound care and attentiveness to all, regardless of their status or suffering. This attribute of God's non-partiality is a cornerstone of His just character, as seen in passages like [Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality"). Thirdly, the verse underscores **God's Perfect Wisdom**, coupling His might with His unerring understanding. This signifies that God's power is not blind or arbitrary but is always guided by infinite wisdom and righteous judgment, ensuring His actions, though often mysterious to humans, are ultimately good and purposeful. The unsearchable depth of [God's wisdom is celebrated in Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mighty (Hebrew, _kabbîyr'_):** (H3524) This term, derived from a root meaning "to be vast," conveys overwhelming power and strength. When applied to God, it signifies His immense, unchallengeable might, not only in terms of physical force but also in His vastness of authority and influence. It speaks to His capacity to accomplish anything He purposes, reflecting His supreme dominion.
* **Despiseth (Hebrew, _mâʼaç'_):** (H3988) This primitive root means "to spurn," "to abhor," "to cast away," or "to reject." In the negative construction "despiseth not," it strongly affirms God's character as one who does not scorn, disregard, or reject any individual. This implies His constant attentiveness, care, and impartiality towards all people, regardless of their circumstances, status, or perceived worthiness, standing in stark contrast to human tendencies to dismiss the suffering or the lowly.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** (H3820) While often translated as "heart," this term extends figuratively to encompass the intellect, will, and feelings, representing the very core of one's being and understanding. In the context of God, _lêb_ here refers to His perfect, infinite, and unsearchable understanding, His capacity for discernment, and His ability to order creation and execute righteous judgment. It signifies that God's power is always exercised with perfect knowledge, insight, and purpose, ensuring His actions are always just and good, stemming from the very center of His divine nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, God is mighty":** This opening phrase serves as an emphatic call to attention, drawing the listener's focus to a profound truth about God's nature. "Mighty" (from _kabbîyr_) declares God's inherent, majestic power and supreme authority. It establishes His unchallengeable sovereignty and overwhelming greatness as the foundational premise of Elihu's argument, inviting awe and reverence.
* **"and despiseth not any":** This crucial clause reveals God's compassionate and impartial character. Despite His immense power, God does not scorn, reject, or disregard any individual. This means He is attentive to all, including the suffering, the weak, and the seemingly insignificant. It directly counters the notion that God might be indifferent to human plight or only concerned with the powerful or the perfectly righteous, emphasizing His universal care.
* **"he is mighty in strength and wisdom":** This concluding phrase reiterates God's immense power ("mighty in strength") but crucially qualifies it by adding "and wisdom." This highlights that God's strength is not blind, arbitrary, or wielded without purpose. Instead, His power is always guided and informed by His perfect, infinite wisdom (from _lêb_). This combination ensures that God's actions are always just, purposeful, and ultimately good, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension and appear inscrutable to human eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu employs several literary devices in [Job 36:5](/job/36-5 "Job 36:5 - God's Mighty Wisdom and Impartiality") to underscore his theological points. The verse begins with the interjection **"Behold,"** which functions as a rhetorical marker, immediately drawing the listener's attention and emphasizing the profound truth that follows. This creates a sense of urgency and importance, inviting the audience to consider deeply the nature of God. There is a clear instance of **Parallelism** in the repetition of "mighty" ("God is mighty... he is mighty in strength"), which serves to reinforce and amplify the concept of God's overwhelming power. This repetition creates a rhythmic emphasis, driving home the point of God's immense capability and irresistible force. Furthermore, the verse presents a profound **Contrast** between raw power and discerning character: God is "mighty," yet He "despiseth not any." This juxtaposition highlights that God's power is not tyrannical or uncaring but is tempered and guided by His compassionate nature and perfect wisdom. The inclusion of "wisdom" alongside "strength" also provides a crucial balance, ensuring that God's might is perceived as perfectly ordered and just, not chaotic or arbitrary, but always purposeful and righteous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 36:5 offers a profound theological statement about the character of God, integrating His omnipotence with His moral attributes. It presents a God who is not only supremely powerful but also perfectly just, compassionate, and wise. This challenges the simplistic cause-and-effect theology of Job's friends, who posited that suffering was always a direct consequence of sin. Elihu's declaration asserts that God's power is not wielded arbitrarily but is always informed by His infinite wisdom and His non-despising nature. This means that even in the midst of inexplicable suffering, God remains attentive and caring, and His purposes, though often hidden, are always rooted in perfect wisdom and righteousness. It calls for a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, acknowledging that His ways are higher than human understanding and that His governance is always for a righteous end, even when it involves discipline or testing.

* [Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality"): "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons."
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom"): "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
* [Isaiah 55:9](/isaiah/55-9 "Isaiah 55:9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher"): "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 36:5 provides immense comfort and a profound challenge for believers today. For those grappling with suffering, it is a powerful reminder that the mighty God of the universe does not overlook or despise their pain. He is attentive, compassionate, and His power is always guided by perfect wisdom. This truth encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances are bewildering or seemingly unjust. It calls us to humility, acknowledging that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own, and that His wisdom far surpasses our limited understanding. Instead of questioning God's character in adversity, we are invited to lean into His unfathomable wisdom and unwavering care. This verse also challenges us to reflect God's non-despising nature in our own lives, extending compassion and attention to those who are suffering, marginalized, or different from us, rather than judging or dismissing them based on superficial observations or assumptions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the combination of God's "might" and His not "despising any" reshape your understanding of His character, especially in times of personal struggle or perceived injustice?**
* **In what ways might we, like Job's friends, mistakenly limit God's wisdom or misinterpret His actions based on our own human understanding of justice and fairness?**
* **How can recognizing God's perfect "wisdom" (as encompassing His intellect and heart) alongside His "strength" help you to trust Him more fully when His purposes seem unclear or His actions inscrutable?**
* **What practical steps can you take to embody God's "despiseth not any" attitude towards others in your community or sphere of influence, particularly those who are overlooked or struggling?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Elihu's declaration about God's might and wisdom in the broader context of the book of Job?**

Answer: Elihu's declaration in [Job 36:5](/job/36-5 "Job 36:5 - God's Mighty Wisdom and Impartiality") is highly significant because it offers a corrective to the limited and often flawed perspectives of both Job and his three friends. While Job accuses God of injustice and his friends accuse Job of hidden sin, Elihu presents a more holistic view of God's character. He emphasizes that God's immense power ("mighty in strength") is always coupled with His perfect wisdom. This means God's actions are never arbitrary or cruel, but always purposeful and just, even when they involve suffering that serves as discipline or instruction, as Elihu argues throughout [Job 36](/job/36 "Job 36 - Elihu's Defense of God's Justice"). This verse sets the stage for God's own dramatic appearance in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job"), where He demonstrates His unchallengeable power and wisdom in creation, ultimately silencing Job's complaints and inviting his humble submission.

**How does "despiseth not any" apply to people experiencing deep suffering, like Job?**

Answer: The phrase "despiseth not any" is profoundly comforting for those enduring deep suffering. It asserts that despite His immense power and transcendence, God does not scorn, reject, or disregard any individual, regardless of their condition or perceived status. For someone like Job, who felt abandoned and unjustly afflicted by God, this declaration would have been a powerful reassurance that God was not indifferent to his pain. It means God is attentive, compassionate, and cares deeply for all His creation, including those who are suffering. This challenges the idea that suffering automatically implies God's disfavor or contempt, instead highlighting His impartial and caring nature, as seen in passages like [Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted"), which states, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound truths declared in [Job 36:5](/job/36-5 "Job 36:5 - God's Mighty Wisdom and Impartiality") find their ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "might," for through Him "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")). The power of God, which Elihu extols, is perfectly manifest in Christ's miracles, His authority over creation, and ultimately, His triumph over sin and death through the resurrection ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - The Power of Christ's Resurrection")). Moreover, Jesus perfectly demonstrates that God "despiseth not any." He did not come to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")), reaching out to the marginalized, the sick, the sinful, and the outcast, showing no partiality but boundless compassion. His incarnation itself is the ultimate act of God not despising humanity, but rather entering into its suffering and brokenness to redeem it ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Finally, Christ is the very wisdom of God personified. "In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom All Wisdom Dwells")), and His redemptive plan, culminating in the cross, is revealed as God's perfect wisdom for salvation, a wisdom that often appears as foolishness to the world but is divine power and wisdom to those who are being saved ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")). Thus, in Christ, God's majestic might, His non-despising love, and His perfect wisdom converge to accomplish the greatest work of redemption, inviting all to find solace and salvation in Him.

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 22:24

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Jeremiah 10:12

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Psalms 138:6

¶ Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Psalms 147:5

Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.

Jeremiah 32:19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Job 37:23

[Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: [he is] excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

Job 31:13

If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;