Job 42:3

Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

Who is he that hideth {H5956} counsel {H6098} without knowledge {H1847}? therefore have I uttered {H5046} that I understood {H995} not; things too wonderful {H6381} for me, which I knew {H3045} not.

"[You asked,] 'Who is this, hiding counsel, without having knowledge?'Yes, I spoke, without understanding, of wonders far beyond me, which I didn't know.

You asked, โ€˜Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?โ€™ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

Commentary

Job 42:3 marks a pivotal moment in the Book of Job, representing Job's profound confession and humble surrender after God's majestic speeches from the whirlwind. This verse is Jobโ€™s direct response to Godโ€™s earlier challenge, acknowledging his own lack of understanding and presumptuous speech.

Context

For chapters leading up to this verse (specifically Job 38 through 41), God has been questioning Job's wisdom and understanding of the universe, creation, and divine governance. Godโ€™s powerful interrogation humbles Job, who initially sought to justify himself before God. In Job 38:2, God asks, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" Job 42:3 is Jobโ€™s direct, humbled echo of that very question, admitting that he was the one guilty of speaking without true knowledge. This profound humility sets the stage for God's restoration of Job.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Inscrutable Wisdom: The verse highlights the infinite gap between God's perfect, all-encompassing wisdom and human finite understanding. God's ways are beyond full human comprehension, emphasizing His absolute control and perfect plan.
  • Human Humility and Ignorance: Jobโ€™s confession, "therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not," is a powerful admission of human limitation. It underscores the necessity of humility before the Creator. This contrasts sharply with Job's earlier self-righteousness and demands for explanation, as seen in his earlier, less complete humility in Job 40:4-5.
  • Repentance and Transformation: This verse is the beginning of Job's full repentance, leading to his profound declaration in Job 42:5-6. His direct encounter with God transforms his perspective from intellectual debate to reverent awe and submission.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?" is a direct quotation by Job of God's question to him in Job 38:2. By repeating it, Job is not questioning God, but rather applying God's question to himself, confessing his own error. The Hebrew word translated "wonderful" (ืคึผืœืื•ึนืช, pela'ot) in "things too wonderful for me" signifies things that are extraordinary, miraculous, or beyond ordinary human understanding. It conveys a sense of awe and the incomprehensibility of divine works, aligning with the idea that God's thoughts are far above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Practical Application

Job 42:3 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us of the importance of humility in our spiritual walk, especially when we face trials or difficult questions about God's providence. Instead of questioning God's wisdom or demanding answers, we are called to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we don't fully understand it. This verse encourages us to recognize the limits of our knowledge and to bow in awe before the infinite wisdom of our Creator. It highlights that a true encounter with God often leads to a deeper sense of humility and a greater capacity for trust in His perfect timing and purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 131:1

    ยถ A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 40:5

    Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

  • 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?