Job 42:2

KJV

I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

I know {H3045} that thou canst do {H3201} every thing, and that no thought {H4209} can be withholden {H1219} from thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I know that you can do everything, that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Berean Standard Bible

“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

American Standard Version

I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 42:2 encapsulates the profound climax of Job's spiritual journey and theological transformation, marking his ultimate surrender and confession of God's absolute sovereignty and infinite knowledge. Following the Almighty's majestic and overwhelming speeches from the whirlwind, Job, having wrestled with immense suffering and questioned divine justice, now humbles himself. He acknowledges the Creator's boundless power to accomplish all things and His perfect omniscience, from which no human thought, intention, or secret can ever be concealed. This verse signifies Job's complete submission, recognizing the vast, unbridgeable chasm between finite human understanding and the boundless perfections of the divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 42:2 stands as the pivotal declaration in Job's final response to God, directly following the Lord's awe-inspiring speeches delivered from the whirlwind in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches from the Whirlwind"). Throughout the preceding chapters, Job had vehemently defended his righteousness and repeatedly expressed his fervent desire to confront God, demanding an explanation for his inexplicable suffering. God's reply, however, was not a direct answer to Job's questions about justice or his personal plight. Instead, it was a breathtaking, sustained display of divine wisdom, power, and sovereign control over the entire cosmos, from the celestial bodies to the most untamed creatures of the earth. This overwhelming revelation of God's majesty silences Job's complaints, bringing him to a place of profound awe, humility, and repentance. This verse immediately follows Job's initial, brief and humbled response in [Job 40:3-5](/job/40-3 "Job 40:3-5 - Job's First Response"), where he admitted his unworthiness and placed his hand over his mouth, and it precedes his full and contrite repentance in [Job 42:6](/job/42-6 "Job 42:6 - Job's Repentance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a profound work of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, meticulously exploring the universal and perennial problem of innocent suffering and the nature of divine justice. While its precise historical setting remains a subject of scholarly debate, it vividly portrays a patriarchal society, likely predating the Mosaic Law, characterized by a deep reverence for God and a strong emphasis on wisdom and righteousness. Culturally, suffering was often simplistically linked directly to sin, a premise that the entire narrative of Job fundamentally challenges through Job's unwavering integrity. Job's confession in [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - Job's Confession of God's Omnipotence and Omniscience") represents a radical shift from a transactional understanding of God—where righteousness is believed to guarantee prosperity—to a more profound and transcendent understanding of God's nature, where His ways are ultimately beyond human comprehension. This theological development aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on God's unique and incomparable power and knowledge, sharply distinguishing Him from the limited, often capricious, and anthropomorphic deities of surrounding pagan cultures.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core theological themes central not only to the Book of Job but to the entirety of biblical theology. Firstly, **God's Omnipotence** is unequivocally affirmed, declaring His unlimited power and absolute capacity to accomplish anything He wills, a truth consistently echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Jeremiah 32:17](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17 - God's Great Power and Outstretched Arm"). Secondly, **God's Omniscience** is prominently highlighted, emphasizing that no human thought, intention, or plan can ever be hidden from Him, underscoring His perfect, comprehensive, and complete knowledge of all things, beautifully expressed in [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Presence"). Thirdly, the verse marks a profound moment of **Human Humility**, as Job, who once sought to contend with God and demand an audience, now bows in reverent recognition of his finite understanding in the face of infinite divine wisdom. Finally, underlying both omnipotence and omniscience is the overarching theme of **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, asserting that God is in complete and ultimate control, and His purposes cannot be thwarted by any human or circumstantial opposition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **canst (Hebrew, _yâkôl'_):** From H3201, a primitive root meaning "to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)." In this context, it emphasizes God's absolute capability and power. Job acknowledges that God possesses unlimited strength and authority to bring about whatever He desires. This word underscores the divine omnipotence, signifying that nothing is beyond God's reach or capacity to perform.
* **thought (Hebrew, _mᵉzimmâh'_):** From H4209, meaning "a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)." Here, it refers to human intentions, designs, or purposes, particularly those conceived in the mind. The context suggests both the deep, often hidden, intentions of the human heart and any plans or schemes that might be devised. Job confesses that even the most secret or intricate human "thought" is fully transparent to God.
* **withholden (Hebrew, _bâtsar'_):** From H1219, a primitive root meaning "to clip off; specifically...to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification); cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things, restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold." When applied to God, this word signifies that nothing can be restrained, prevented, or hidden from Him. It implies that God's plans cannot be thwarted or His knowledge obstructed by any human or created force. Job's confession is that God's purposes are unassailable, and His knowledge is unhindered by any attempt at concealment or obstruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I know that thou canst do every [thing]":** This initial clause represents Job's climactic declaration of God's omnipotence. After his intense questioning and suffering, Job has moved from intellectual understanding to a profound, experiential conviction of God's limitless power. The phrase "every [thing]" underscores the absolute and unqualified nature of God's capability; there is no act or outcome that is beyond His power to accomplish. This is not merely a statement of belief but a personal surrender to God's supreme dominion over all existence, acknowledging that nothing is impossible for the Creator.
* **"and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee":** This second clause expands upon God's omnipotence by affirming His perfect omniscience. Job confesses that God's knowledge is exhaustive, penetrating, and inescapable. "No thought" refers to the deepest human intentions, plans, and even the most private meditations of the heart. The word "withholden" emphasizes that nothing can be concealed, restrained, or prevented from God's awareness. This means God not only knows all human actions but also comprehends the very genesis of human intentions, and, furthermore, that His own divine purposes cannot be frustrated or hidden from His sovereign will.

#### Literary Devices
Job 42:2 functions as a profound **Confession** by Job, signaling the culmination of his spiritual journey and his dramatic transformation from complaint to humble submission. The verse employs striking **Parallelism** in its structure, with the two clauses reinforcing and expanding upon each other: God's ability to do "every [thing]" is directly paralleled by the inability to "withhold any thought" from Him, thereby inextricably linking His boundless power with His perfect knowledge. This construction also exhibits a form of **Merism**, where the comprehensive scope of "every [thing]" combined with "no thought" together encompasses the totality of God's power and knowledge over all creation and all human intentions. The verse also serves as a powerful **Antithesis** to Job's earlier arguments and his limited human perspective, dramatically illustrating the profound shift in his understanding after the **Theophany** (God's direct appearance and speech from the whirlwind). The concise, declarative nature of the statement lends it an air of **Authority** and finality, underscoring the weight and sincerity of Job's newfound conviction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 42:2 stands as a foundational theological statement, unequivocally affirming the twin pillars of God's omnipotence and omniscience, which are inextricably linked to His absolute sovereignty. This confession transcends mere intellectual assent, blossoming into a heartfelt acknowledgment of God's unchallengeable authority over all creation and all human affairs. It teaches us that God's power is not merely a raw force, but a purposeful, knowing power, meaning His plans are not only achievable but also perfectly conceived, meticulously detailed, and flawlessly executed. This profound truth offers immense comfort in His providential care, assuring us that He is fully aware of our circumstances and capable of working all things for His good purposes. Simultaneously, it calls us to profound humility, recognizing that our finite human understanding cannot possibly grasp the depths of His wisdom or the breadth of His eternal purposes. It challenges any notion of human autonomy that seeks to operate outside or in defiance of divine will, reinforcing the timeless biblical truth that true wisdom begins with reverent submission to the all-knowing, all-powerful God.

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalm/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.'")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/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!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 42:2 offers a profound and transformative invitation to re-evaluate our posture before God, particularly in seasons of profound suffering, confusion, or apparent injustice. When life's circumstances defy our understanding, when our carefully constructed plans unravel, or when we feel overwhelmed by forces beyond our control, Job's confession serves as a powerful reminder that God's power and knowledge remain absolute, unhindered, and perfectly in control. This verse calls us to move beyond demanding explanations from God to embracing a posture of humble and radical trust, recognizing that His ways are infinitely higher than our ways, and His thoughts immeasurably deeper than our thoughts. It encourages a complete surrender of our anxieties, fears, and even our most unarticulated questions, knowing that they are fully known to Him. Such a realization can profoundly transform our prayer life from one of anxious pleading or frustrated complaint to one of confident submission and worship, knowing that the One who holds all things in His hands also holds our lives, and His perfect plan will ultimately prevail for our ultimate good and His eternal glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's confession of God's omnipotence and omniscience challenge your own understanding of control and uncertainty in your life, especially when facing difficult circumstances?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to "withhold" thoughts, plans, or even secret doubts from God, and what might it look like to fully surrender them to His all-knowing wisdom?**
* **How can the truth that "no thought can be withholden" from God bring you profound comfort in your struggles, and how might it simultaneously bring conviction regarding your underlying motives and intentions?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of awe, reverence, and humble submission before God, mirroring Job's transformative experience?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 42:2 imply that humans have no free will, since God knows all thoughts and can do "every [thing]"?**

Answer: Job 42:2 profoundly emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, omnipotence, and omniscience, meaning He possesses the power to accomplish His will and has perfect knowledge of all things, including every human thought and intention. However, this foundational truth does not negate or diminish human free will. The Bible consistently portrays humans as morally responsible agents who make genuine choices, even as God remains sovereign over all creation and history. God's foreknowledge of our thoughts and future actions is not the *cause* of those actions; rather, it is a perfect and eternal awareness of what we will freely choose. His ability to "do every [thing]" means that His ultimate plans cannot be thwarted by human rebellion or opposition, but He often accomplishes His purposes *through* the free choices of individuals, whether those choices are good or bad. This represents a profound theological tension in Scripture, where divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist, as powerfully illustrated in passages like [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Human Responsibility") concerning the crucifixion of Christ, where God's definite plan was carried out by lawless men.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 42:2, with its profound declaration of God's omnipotence and omniscience, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment and living expression of God's boundless power and perfect wisdom, the One through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together by His sustaining power, as beautifully affirmed in [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, the Creator and Sustainer"). The "thought" or eternal plan of God, which Job confessed could not be withheld or thwarted, is precisely the grand redemptive purpose centered on Christ—a divine mystery hidden for ages but now gloriously revealed through Him to His church ([Ephesians 3:9-11](/ephesians/3-9 "Ephesians 3:9-11 - The Mystery of Christ Revealed")). In Jesus, we witness God's omnipotent power to save to the uttermost all who come to Him ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Power to Save Completely")), His absolute authority over sin, death, and even His own life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus' Authority Over His Life")), and His perfect omniscience, demonstrated by His profound knowledge of the human heart and all that is within humanity ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). Job's confession points to a God whose purposes cannot be thwarted, and the New Testament unequivocally reveals that God's ultimate purpose is the glorification of His Son and the redemption of humanity through Him. Thus, Christ is the "every [thing]" God can do, and the perfect revelation of the "no thought" that can be withheld from Him, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of God in Christ")), making Him the ultimate answer to Job's suffering and the ultimate display of God's sovereign power and wisdom.

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

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: