Job 37:19

KJV

Teach us what we shall say unto him; [for] we cannot order [our speech] by reason of darkness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Teach {H3045} us what we shall say {H559} unto him; for we cannot order {H6186} our speech by reason {H6440} of darkness {H2822}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Teach us what we should tell him, for the darkness keeps us from organizing our case.

Berean Standard Bible

Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness.

American Standard Version

Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 37:19 captures Elihu's profound humility and awe before God's incomprehensible majesty, particularly as revealed in the overwhelming forces of nature. It serves as a poignant admission of human intellectual and spiritual limitation, acknowledging that finite beings are utterly incapable of adequately comprehending or articulating the divine purposes and overwhelming power of the Almighty without divine instruction. This verse underscores the vast chasm between human understanding and God's infinite wisdom, emphasizing the essential need for humility and complete dependence on God's revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 37:19 is situated within Elihu's final and most expansive discourse, spanning chapters 32-37, which immediately precedes God's direct intervention and majestic address to Job from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"). Elihu, the youngest of Job's four interlocutors, positions himself as a more enlightened voice, aiming to correct the flawed theological perspectives of Job's three friends while also challenging Job's self-righteousness. His arguments emphasize God's justice, omnipotence, and the pedagogical purpose of suffering as a means of discipline and purification. Chapter 37 specifically focuses on God's awe-inspiring power as manifested in natural phenomena—storms, lightning, thunder, rain, and snow—to illustrate His absolute control and inscrutability. This verse acts as a climactic confession of Elihu's own inadequacy, recognizing that despite his lengthy and detailed arguments, he, too, is overwhelmed by the divine mystery and cannot properly articulate God's greatness. It serves as a vital bridge, setting the stage for God's own majestic address, which further highlights the profound limitations of human understanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a masterpiece of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) wisdom literature, exploring timeless and universal questions of suffering, divine justice, and the human relationship with an all-powerful God. While the precise historical setting is debated, it is generally placed in a patriarchal era, possibly in the land of Uz, a region likely east of Israel. The cultural backdrop includes a deep reverence for divine power, often observed through the awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying forces of nature. In ANE thought, deities were frequently associated with natural phenomena, but Job uniquely attributes these displays of power to Yahweh, the sovereign Creator, distinguishing Him from pagan storm gods. The concept of "ordering speech" or presenting a coherent and compelling case before a powerful figure was common in ancient legal, diplomatic, and royal court contexts, making Elihu's admission of his and humanity's inability particularly striking. The "darkness" also resonates with ancient perceptions of the unknown, the chaotic, and the mysterious, often associated with divine presence or judgment, as seen in the theophanies of [Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - God's Presence on Mount Sinai") or [Deuteronomy 4:11](/deuteronomy/4-11 "Deuteronomy 4:11 - God in the Darkness on Horeb"), where God reveals Himself amidst thick darkness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human limitation and finitude** in the face of divine infinitude. Elihu's plea, "Teach us what we shall say unto him," echoes the pervasive biblical message that human wisdom is utterly insufficient to grasp God's ways ([Job 11:7-9](/job/11-7 "Job 11:7-9 - Zophar on God's Unsearchable Wisdom")). Secondly, it highlights the **inscrutability and transcendence of God**, emphasizing that God's thoughts and ways profoundly transcend human comprehension ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")). The "darkness" symbolizes not only the literal obscurity of a storm but also the profound mystery of God's purposes, which humans cannot penetrate by their own intellect or reasoning. Thirdly, the verse promotes **awe and humility before God's majesty and sovereignty**. Elihu's admission foreshadows Job's own ultimate confession of ignorance and repentance ([Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Repentance and Confession of Ignorance")), reinforcing the biblical principle that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Teach (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to know" or "to ascertain by seeing." However, in its causative or Hiphil stem, as used here, it takes on the meaning "to instruct," "to teach," "to point out," or "to show." Elihu's use of this word is a humble and desperate request for divine guidance or revelation, suggesting that humans are incapable of knowing what to say to God unless God Himself provides the words, understanding, or illumination. It signifies a profound dependency on God for any meaningful discourse concerning Him.
* **Order (Hebrew, _ʻârak'_):** This primitive root means "to set in a row," "to arrange," "to put in order," or "to prepare." In the context of speech or argument, it refers to the ability to compose a coherent, appropriate, and effective statement or defense. Elihu is admitting that humanity lacks the inherent capacity to formulate a proper address or argument before God, one that would be worthy or even comprehensible in the face of His overwhelming power, wisdom, and majesty. Human reason and rhetoric are simply inadequate.
* **Darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be dark," this noun literally refers to physical darkness, often associated with storms, night, or the absence of light. Metaphorically, it is a powerful and pervasive biblical symbol for ignorance, confusion, chaos, judgment, or the unknown. Here, it signifies the profound intellectual and spiritual obscurity that envelops humanity when attempting to grasp God's infinite wisdom and mysterious ways. It suggests an impenetrable barrier to human understanding, highlighting God's transcendence and the limits of human perception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Teach us what we shall say unto him;":** This opening clause is a humble, almost desperate, plea from Elihu, who has just completed a lengthy attempt to articulate God's ways. Despite his extensive theological discourse, he recognizes the ultimate inadequacy of human words when addressing the Almighty. It's an acknowledgment that true understanding and appropriate speech concerning God must originate from God Himself, not from human intellect, eloquence, or rhetorical skill. It highlights a fundamental dependency on divine instruction and revelation.
* **"[for] we cannot order [our speech]":** This provides the direct rationale for the preceding plea. The phrase "order our speech" implies not merely a lack of words, but a fundamental incapacity to arrange, prepare, or articulate a coherent, fitting, or effective statement or argument before God. It speaks to the qualitative inadequacy of human thought and expression when confronted with the divine. Human reason and language, on their own, fall woefully short of being able to properly address or comprehend the infinite God.
* **"by reason of darkness.":** This final phrase explains the root cause of human inability to "order our speech." The "darkness" here functions on multiple levels: literally, it could refer to the physical darkness of the storm Elihu has been describing, which powerfully manifests God's presence and power; metaphorically, and more profoundly, it refers to the intellectual and spiritual "darkness" of human ignorance and finitude. It represents the impenetrable mystery of God's ways, His hidden purposes, and the vastness of His wisdom that remains veiled to human understanding, making it impossible for humans to speak appropriately about Him without His own self-revelation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metaphor** is prominently used with "darkness" representing not just physical obscurity but the profound intellectual and spiritual incomprehensibility of God's ways and purposes. This metaphorical darkness underscores human ignorance and the vast chasm between finite understanding and infinite divine wisdom. The phrase "Teach us what we shall say unto him" functions as a **rhetorical plea**, expressing Elihu's humility and the universal human need for divine instruction rather than a literal expectation of an immediate verbal lesson. There is also a subtle yet powerful **irony** in Elihu, who has just delivered a lengthy and detailed theological exposition, now admitting his own and humanity's inability to "order his speech" before God. This irony serves to magnify God's transcendence and humble all human attempts at fully comprehending or articulating the divine through mere human reason.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:19 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's transcendence and human finitude. It reminds us that God's wisdom, power, and ways are utterly beyond our full comprehension, residing in a "darkness" that our intellect cannot penetrate without divine light. This inscrutability is not a flaw in God, but a testament to His infinite nature, which infinitely surpasses all created understanding. Our inability to "order our speech" before Him compels us to a posture of humility, reverence, and a deep reliance on His self-revelation rather than our own reasoning. It teaches that true wisdom begins not with knowing all the answers, but with acknowledging our limitations and seeking God's instruction, recognizing that His thoughts are far above our own.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33-36 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depth of God's Wisdom and Knowledge")
* [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness is Wiser than Human Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 37:19 calls us to a posture of profound humility and dependence in our relationship with God. In a world that often values articulate expression, comprehensive understanding, and the ability to confidently present one's views, Elihu's admission reminds us that before the Almighty, our most eloquent words and deepest insights often fall short. This verse encourages us to approach God not with a prepared argument, a demand for immediate answers, or a need to fully understand His every move, but with a humble heart, acknowledging our inherent "darkness" concerning His vast purposes. It teaches us to trust in His sovereignty even when His ways are mysterious and His plan seems veiled. For the believer, this means surrendering our need to fully grasp every detail of our circumstances or God's will, and instead, to lean into His wisdom, knowing that He sees what we cannot. It also fosters a spirit of prayer that seeks divine instruction, asking God to "teach us what we shall say," rather than presuming to know. This humility deepens our worship, strengthens our trust in His unfailing character, and opens us to receive revelation from the One who truly knows all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Elihu's admission of "darkness" resonate with your own experience of God's mystery and the limits of human understanding?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own ability to "order your speech" or understand, rather than seeking God's teaching and trusting His hidden wisdom?**
* **How does acknowledging God's incomprehensibility deepen your worship, strengthen your trust, and increase your willingness to surrender to His sovereign plan, even when it is unclear?**

### FAQ
**Why does Elihu, who has spoken so much, suddenly admit he cannot speak?**

Answer: Elihu's admission in Job 37:19 is not a literal declaration of being mute, but rather a profound rhetorical shift emphasizing the *quality* and *appropriateness* of speech before God, not just the quantity. After delivering a lengthy and detailed discourse attempting to explain God's ways and defend His justice, Elihu reaches a point where he recognizes the ultimate inadequacy of human words and intellect to fully capture or comprehend God's majesty, especially when confronted with the overwhelming power of God displayed in nature. He is acknowledging that no human speech, however eloquent or reasoned, can truly "order" itself in a way that is fully commensurate with God's infinite wisdom and power. It's a moment of profound humility, setting the stage for God's own majestic intervention in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"), which further dwarfs human understanding and speech.

**What does "darkness" specifically refer to in this verse?**

Answer: The "darkness" in Job 37:19 carries a dual meaning, both literal and metaphorical, which are intertwined. Literally, Elihu has been describing God's power manifested in natural phenomena like storms, thunder, and lightning, which are often accompanied by literal dark clouds and atmospheric obscurity. Metaphorically, and more significantly, "darkness" represents the profound intellectual and spiritual inability of humans to fully grasp God's purposes, His hidden wisdom, and the mysterious ways in which He operates. It signifies the impenetrable veil of divine transcendence that human reason cannot pierce on its own. It is the "darkness" of human ignorance and finitude before the infinite light and knowledge of God, making it impossible for us to articulate a complete or fitting statement about Him without His own illumination. This idea is echoed in passages like [1 Corinthians 13:12](/1_corinthians/13-12 "1 Corinthians 13:12 - Seeing Through a Glass Dimly"), where our current understanding is described as seeing "through a glass, darkly."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 37:19, with its humble plea for divine instruction and profound admission of human inability to "order our speech by reason of darkness," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "darkness" of human ignorance and the inscrutability of God's ways, which Elihu so keenly lamented, are decisively overcome by the radiant light of Christ. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the perfect and complete revelation of the invisible God ([John 1:1-5](/john/1-1-5 "John 1:1-5 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us")). Where humanity could not "order its speech" or comprehend God's purposes, God Himself spoke definitively and exhaustively through His Son ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Jesus is not only the one who teaches us what we shall say, but He is the very truth we are to proclaim, the perfect message of God's love, and the only way by which we can truly approach the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Through Him, the profound mystery of God's plan for salvation, once shrouded in "darkness," is made gloriously clear, allowing us to speak confidently of God's love, grace, and redemptive purposes, not based on our own limited wisdom, but on the perfect and full revelation of Christ, who is the very image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Christ, the Image of the Invisible God and Creator")).

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

Proverbs 30:2

Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.

Proverbs 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

1 John 3:2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Job 38:2

Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Psalms 139:6

[Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.

Job 28:20

¶ Whence then cometh wisdom? and where [is] the place of understanding?

Job 28:21

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.