Job 5:9

KJV

Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

KJV (with Strong's)

Which doeth {H6213} great things {H1419} and unsearchable {H369}{H2714}; marvellous things {H6381} without number {H4557}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For God does great deeds beyond investigation, wonders beyond all reckoning.

Berean Standard Bible

the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.

American Standard Version

Who doeth great things and unsearchable, Marvellous things without number:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:9, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, serves as a profound theological declaration regarding the transcendent nature of God. It asserts God's boundless power and infinite wisdom, portraying Him as the one who performs "great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number." This verse highlights the divine capacity to act in ways that are both immense in scale and beyond human comprehension, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and the unfathomable depth of His works and purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Eliphaz's initial response to Job's profound lament (Job 4-5). Having listened to Job's cries of despair and his questioning of divine justice, Eliphaz attempts to offer comfort and counsel rooted in traditional wisdom. His argument posits that suffering is often a consequence of sin, and that God, in His justice, disciplines those He loves. Job 5:9 is part of Eliphaz's broader strategy to encourage Job to submit to God's discipline, believing that God's actions, though mysterious, are ultimately purposeful and just. It follows Eliphaz's assertion that God frustrates the plans of the crafty but saves the needy, leading to a call for Job to seek God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set within the milieu of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, which often explored the complexities of life, suffering, and divine justice. The friends of Job, including Eliphaz, represent the prevailing wisdom tradition of their time, which largely adhered to the retribution principle: righteousness leads to prosperity, and wickedness leads to suffering. This framework heavily influenced their interpretation of Job's calamities. While Eliphaz's theological understanding of God's attributes in this verse is sound, his application of it to Job's specific situation—presuming Job's suffering must be due to hidden sin—reflects the limitations of this traditional wisdom in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** Job 5:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. It underscores **Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control and boundless power to accomplish anything He wills, from the grand scale of creation to the intricacies of human life. The phrase "unsearchable" emphasizes the **Incomprehensibility of God**, highlighting the inherent limits of human understanding concerning God's ways, judgments, and purposes. His wisdom and plans are too vast for finite minds to fully grasp, echoing sentiments found throughout scripture about God's mysterious nature, such as in [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Judgments and Ways of God"). Furthermore, "marvellous things without number" points to the **Infinite Wonders and Works of God**, reminding us of the countless, awe-inspiring acts of God throughout history and in the natural world, which are beyond human enumeration, as celebrated in [Psalm 40:5](/psalm/40-5 "Psalm 40:5 - God's Many Wonderful Works and Thoughts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unsearchable (Hebrew, חָקַר _chaqar'_):** This verb means "to search out, to fathom, to investigate thoroughly, to explore." When applied to God, as it is here, it signifies that His depth, wisdom, and actions are beyond human ability to fully penetrate or comprehend. It conveys the idea of an infinite, inexhaustible mystery that finite minds cannot fully grasp, implying that God's ways are too profound for human investigation to fully uncover.
* **Marvellous (Hebrew, פֶּלֶא _pele'_):** Often translated as "wonder" or "miracle," this noun describes acts that are extraordinary, astounding, and inspire awe. It typically refers to divine interventions that transcend natural laws or human capability, pointing to the supernatural power and unique character of God's works. These are not merely impressive acts, but those that evoke astonishment and reverence due to their divine origin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which doeth great things":** This clause identifies God as the active subject, emphasizing His omnipotence and the immense scale of His operations. The "great things" (גְדֹלֹות - _g'dolot_) encompass His creative acts, His providential governance over all creation, His historical interventions, and His dealings with humanity. It speaks to the vastness and significance of His power and influence, demonstrating His active involvement in the world.
* **"and unsearchable":** This phrase qualifies the "great things," indicating that while God's actions are mighty, their full scope, purpose, and underlying wisdom are beyond human capacity to fully investigate or comprehend. It highlights God's transcendence and the inherent mystery of His ways, reminding humanity of its limited understanding in the face of divine infinitude.
* **"marvellous things without number":** This final clause further elaborates on the nature and extent of God's works. The "marvellous things" (נִפְלָאוֹת - _nifla'ot_, derived from _pele'_) are those that are wondrous, miraculous, and awe-inspiring, inspiring a sense of astonishment. The addition of "without number" (אֵין מִסְפָּר - _ein mispar_) emphasizes the infinite abundance and countless nature of these divine acts, from the intricate details of the natural world to His ongoing providential care and miraculous interventions throughout history.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:9 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Parallelism** is evident, particularly **synonymous parallelism**, where the two clauses "Which doeth great things and unsearchable" and "marvellous things without number" express similar ideas in different words, reinforcing the central concept of God's immense and incomprehensible power. The use of **Hyperbole** in "without number" serves to emphasize the sheer vastness and inexhaustibility of God's works, going beyond literal enumeration to convey infinite abundance. The language also evokes a strong sense of **Awe and Wonder**, aiming to inspire profound reverence and astonishment in the reader/listener at the contemplation of God's nature and actions. This cumulative effect underscores the majesty and mystery of the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:9 stands as a powerful affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty and transcendence. It establishes that God's ways are fundamentally higher than human ways, and His thoughts infinitely beyond our thoughts. This divine incomprehensibility is not a limitation but an essential attribute of His infinite nature, inviting humanity to a posture of humility and trust rather than demanding exhaustive understanding. It sets a foundational theological truth that resonates throughout scripture, preparing the reader for later biblical affirmations of God's unparalleled wisdom, power, and the unfathomable depths of His purposes, even when they are not immediately clear to human perception.

* [Psalm 145:3](/psalm/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - The Lord is Great and Greatly to be Praised")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher Than Ours")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches, Wisdom, and Knowledge of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In the midst of life's perplexing trials and suffering, like those experienced by Job, this verse offers a crucial anchor: God is always actively at work, performing "great things" and "marvellous things," even when His purposes and methods remain "unsearchable" to our finite minds. This truth calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, acknowledging the inherent limits of our understanding in the face of infinite wisdom. It encourages a deep and abiding trust in God's character, knowing that His actions, though often mysterious, are always perfect, just, and ultimately for His glory and our good. Reflecting on the countless wonders of God's creation and His providential care should lead us to continuous worship and adoration, recognizing that the Creator of such immeasurable majesty is also intimately involved in the details of our lives, inviting us to rest in His sovereign care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's "unsearchable" ways impact your trust in Him during times of personal uncertainty or suffering?**
* **What "marvellous things" in your life, in nature, or in the history of redemption point to God's infinite power and creativity?**
* **How can reflecting on God's transcendence and incomprehensibility lead to deeper humility and more fervent worship in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Is Eliphaz's statement about God entirely correct, even if his application to Job is flawed?**

Answer: Yes, Eliphaz's description of God's attributes in Job 5:9 is theologically sound and aligns with broader biblical revelation. The problem lies not in his understanding of God's power and wisdom, but in his rigid application of the retribution principle to Job's specific suffering. He correctly identifies God as one who "doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number," but incorrectly assumes Job's suffering must be a direct result of hidden sin. He fails to grasp the deeper, mysterious purposes of God revealed later in the book of Job, where God's sovereignty is affirmed beyond human comprehension, as seen in passages like [Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Confession of God's Unsearchable Wisdom").

**How does "unsearchable" relate to God's knowability?**

Answer: "Unsearchable" (חָקַר - _chaqar_) signifies that God's full depth, wisdom, and the totality of His works are beyond human ability to exhaustively investigate or comprehend. It does not mean God is unknowable, but rather that He is infinitely greater than our capacity to fully grasp. We can know God truly through His self-revelation (e.g., in His Word, in creation, and supremely in Christ), but we can never fully comprehend Him in His entirety. This concept fosters humility and encourages a lifelong pursuit of knowing Him more deeply, while acknowledging His infinite mystery, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Understanding is Unsearchable"). Our knowledge of God is real and true, but always partial, inviting endless discovery and worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Eliphaz's words in Job 5:9 speak generally of God's majestic power and wisdom, they find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "great things and unsearchable" and "marvellous things without number" that God does are supremely demonstrated in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The greatest "marvellous thing" is the mystery of God becoming man, a truth "unsearchable" to human reason apart from divine revelation, yet revealed in Christ Jesus ([1 Timothy 3:16](/1_timothy/3-16 "1 Timothy 3:16 - The Mystery of Godliness")). Christ's miracles—healing the sick, raising the dead, calming storms—were "marvellous things" that revealed divine power and testified to His identity as God incarnate ([John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - Jesus' First Miracle at Cana")). His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His triumphant resurrection are the greatest "great things" God has ever accomplished, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe, a plan conceived in unsearchable wisdom before the foundation of the world ([Ephesians 1:7-10](/ephesians/1-7-10 "Ephesians 1:7-10 - God's Plan of Redemption in Christ")). Through Christ, the incomprehensible God has made Himself known, inviting us into a relationship that allows us to experience His "marvellous light" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Called Out of Darkness into Light")) and participate in His great and unsearchable purposes for the redemption of humanity and creation.

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 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.

Job 9:10

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Psalms 72:18

¶ Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

Psalms 86:10

For thou [art] great, and doest wondrous things: thou [art] God alone.

Job 37:5

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Romans 11:33

¶ 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 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.