Job 9:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Which doeth {H6213} great things {H1419} past {H369} finding out {H2714}; yea, and wonders {H6381} without number {H4557}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He does great, unsearchable things, wonders beyond counting.

Berean Standard Bible

He does great things beyond searching out, and wonders without number.

American Standard Version

That doeth great things past finding out, Yea, marvellous things without number.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 9:10 serves as a profound declaration by Job, articulating the infinite and utterly inscrutable nature of God. In this powerful statement, Job acknowledges the Almighty's absolute sovereignty and the boundless scope of His actions, which transcend all human capacity for full understanding or exhaustive investigation. This verse stands as a cornerstone for contemplating divine mystery, the unsearchable depths of God's wisdom and power, and the inherent limitations of finite humanity in fully grasping the ways of the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 9:10 is situated within Job’s impassioned and deeply theological response to his friend Bildad, who has just presented a rigid, traditional argument for God's justice and the inevitable punishment of the wicked (see [Job 8](/job/8 "Job 8 - Bildad's Speech")). While Job vehemently defends his own righteousness and challenges the simplistic application of the retribution principle by his friends, he never for a moment denies God's supreme power or justice. Instead, he highlights the unchallengeable might of God and the utter impossibility of any human being, no matter how righteous, to contend with Him or fully comprehend His ways. This verse immediately follows a series of awe-inspiring descriptions of God's cosmic power—His ability to move mountains, shake the earth, command the sun, and create constellations (see [Job 9:5-9](/job/9-5-9 "Job 9:5-9 - God's Cosmic Power"))—setting the stage for the climactic declaration of His unsearchable and innumerable wonders. It underscores Job’s recognition that God is utterly beyond human challenge or comprehension, even as he grapples with the inexplicable nature of his own suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in the land of Uz, a region possibly east of Palestine. The cultural backdrop is one where a prevailing understanding of divine justice, often termed the "retribution principle," held sway: righteousness leads to prosperity, and wickedness leads to suffering. Job’s friends are staunch proponents of this view, attempting to force Job’s suffering into this theological framework. However, Job’s experience directly challenges this simplistic correlation. In this context, Job 9:10 serves as a powerful counterpoint, suggesting that God's ways are far more complex and mysterious than human theological constructs can contain. It speaks to a worldview where the divine was perceived as immensely powerful and often inscrutable, capable of acts that defied human logic and control. The concept of a God who performs "wonders without number" would have resonated with ancient peoples who experienced the raw, untamed power of nature and attributed it to divine agency, yet Job pushes this understanding to an even deeper level of divine transcendence and incomprehensibility, challenging the notion that humans can fully grasp or predict divine actions.
* **Key Themes:** Job 9:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. The primary theme is **God's Incomprehensibility**, emphasizing that God's works, wisdom, and ways are utterly beyond human ability to fully investigate, comprehend, or explain. His wisdom and power are infinite, rendering His actions often mysterious to finite beings, as echoed in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"). Closely related is the theme of **Boundless Divine Power**, where the phrases "great things" and "wonders without number" underscore God's omnipotence and limitless capacity for action. There is no constraint on what God can do, and His creative, providential, and redemptive acts are countless and awe-inspiring, demonstrating His absolute control over all creation, as seen in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"). Finally, this verse reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting that God is the supreme ruler of the universe, acting according to His own will, independent of human counsel, understanding, or even perceived justice. His reign is absolute and unquestionable, a truth that Job grapples with throughout his ordeal, recognizing God's unchallengeable authority even in the midst of his suffering (cf. [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - Job's Confession of God's Omnipotence")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Past Finding Out (Hebrew, _chêqer'_):** The Hebrew word חֵקֶר (_chêqer_, H2714) conveys the idea of something that cannot be fully searched, explored, investigated, or fathomed. It implies an inscrutable, unsearchable depth or a mystery that is beyond human intellectual capacity to penetrate or exhaust. When applied to God's actions, it signifies that His works are not merely complex but are fundamentally beyond the limits of human comprehension and discovery. It suggests that there is an infinite dimension to God's wisdom and operations that remains forever inaccessible to finite minds, highlighting the profound transcendence of the divine.
* **Wonders (Hebrew, _pâlâʼ_):** The Hebrew term פָּלָא (_pâlâʼ_, H6381), from which the plural _pela'im_ (wonders) is derived, refers to actions that are extraordinary, miraculous, or astonishing. These are deeds that evoke awe and astonishment because they defy natural explanation or human expectation. In a biblical context, _pela'im_ often describes God's mighty acts of creation, deliverance, and judgment that reveal His unique power and character. The use of "wonders" emphasizes the multitude and variety of such miraculous interventions, while "without number" (literally "without counting") hyperbolically underscores their countless nature, reinforcing the idea of God's limitless power and creativity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which doeth great things past finding out":** This clause establishes God as the active agent, the one "who does" (from the Hebrew verb _'âsâh_). The "great things" refer to His mighty works, encompassing creation, providence, and all His dealings with humanity and the cosmos. The phrase "past finding out" (literally "without search" or "without investigation," from _chêqer_) emphatically states that these great works are not merely difficult to understand but are fundamentally inscrutable to human reason. They possess a depth and complexity that human intellect cannot fully plumb, signifying God's transcendent wisdom and power that operates on a scale far beyond our comprehension. This suggests a continuous, ongoing activity of God that remains shrouded in divine mystery, inviting humility rather than exhaustive analysis.
* **"yea, and wonders without number":** This second clause functions in parallel, intensifying and expanding upon the first. "Wonders" (from _pâlâʼ_, as discussed above) specifically highlights the miraculous, awe-inspiring, and extraordinary nature of God's deeds. These are not just "great things" in terms of scale, but "wonders" in terms of their supernatural quality and their capacity to evoke astonishment and reverence. The addition "without number" (literally "without counting," from _miçpâr_ preceded by the negative particle _'ayin_) serves as a hyperbole, emphasizing the sheer infinitude of God's miraculous acts. It conveys that God's interventions and displays of power are so numerous that they cannot be counted or cataloged by human beings, reinforcing His boundless omnipotence and the inexhaustible nature of His creative and redemptive activity.

#### Literary Devices
Job 9:10 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause, "yea, and wonders without number," reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first, "Which doeth great things past finding out." Both phrases convey the idea of God's immense and incomprehensible power, with "wonders" intensifying "great things" and "without number" stressing the infinitude implied by "past finding out." This creates a cumulative effect, reinforcing the central theme of divine transcendence. **Hyperbole** is also evident in "without number," a deliberate exaggeration to emphasize the countless nature of God's miraculous deeds, rather than a literal count. This device effectively communicates the boundless extent of divine activity and power. Furthermore, the verse evokes a strong sense of **Awe and the Sublime**, using language that points to a reality so vast and powerful that it overwhelms human understanding. This is achieved through the concepts of "great things," "wonders," and the impossibility of "finding out" or "numbering" them, fostering a posture of humility and reverence before the Almighty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 9:10 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical concept of God's transcendence and His inherent mystery. It asserts that while God is active and engaged in His creation, His ways are not always discernible or fully comprehensible to human reason. This does not imply that God is arbitrary or capricious, but rather that His wisdom and power operate on a plane infinitely superior to our own. This truth calls believers to a posture of profound humility, recognizing the limits of human intellect when confronted with divine infinitude. It encourages trust in God's character even when His specific actions or overarching plan remain obscure, fostering a faith that rests not on full comprehension but on the unshakeable reality of His greatness and goodness. The verse underscores that God's "great things" are not merely impressive but are "wonders," evoking awe and worship, reminding us that our God is always greater than our understanding of Him.

* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom and Knowledge")
* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - God's Greatness is Unsearchable")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Understanding is Unsearchable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 9:10 serves as a profound invitation to cultivate a posture of humility, awe, and unwavering trust in the face of life's mysteries and God's seemingly inscrutable ways. In a world that often demands immediate answers and complete understanding, this verse reminds us that true faith embraces the incomprehensibility of God. It encourages us to release the need to fully grasp every detail of God's plan, especially amidst suffering or confusion, and instead, to rest in the knowledge that the One who performs "great things past finding out" is sovereign, wise, and actively working. This understanding transforms our worship, moving it beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep, reverent adoration for a God whose power and wonders are truly without number. It calls us to surrender our limited perspectives and trust in His infinite wisdom, knowing that even when His purposes are hidden, His character remains steadfastly good and faithful. This verse fosters a resilient faith, enabling us to navigate uncertainty with peace, confident that the God who orchestrates cosmic wonders also holds our lives in His unfathomable hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's "unsearchable greatness" impact your personal prayers and expectations of divine intervention?**
* **In what areas of your life or understanding of biblical truth do you find yourself struggling to accept God's "wonders without number" or His ways "past finding out"?**
* **How can embracing the mystery of God, as presented in Job 9:10, deepen your trust in Him, especially during times of unanswered questions or suffering?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of awe and humility before the incomprehensible God?**

### FAQ
**How does Job 9:10 reconcile with the idea that God desires for us to know Him?**

Answer: Job 9:10 emphasizes God's transcendence and the limits of human comprehension, not His unknowability. The Bible consistently teaches that God desires a personal, relational knowledge of Him, as seen in [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Knowing the Lord") where knowing the Lord is about understanding His character (justice, righteousness, steadfast love). Similarly, [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God") states that eternal life is "to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." This "knowing" is relational and experiential, a deep intimacy and trust, rather than an exhaustive intellectual comprehension of His infinite being or all His ways. We can know God truly, intimately, and sufficiently for salvation and daily living, even if we can never fully "find out" or number all His great and wonderful works. His mystery invites worship, not despair; it cultivates humility and dependence, rather than intellectual mastery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 9:10, with its declaration of God's incomprehensible greatness and innumerable wonders, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "great things past finding out" and "wonders without number" of the Old Testament God are supremely manifested and made accessible in the Incarnation. It is through Christ, the very [wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God") and the [power of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), that the unsearchable depths of the Father are revealed in a way that is both mysterious and intimately personal. The creation itself, a primary example of God's "great things," was accomplished [through Him and for Him](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"). The greatest "wonder without number" is God's plan of salvation, a mystery hidden for ages but now unveiled in Christ's atoning work on the cross, demonstrating God's justice and love in an incomprehensible way (cf. [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). The profound humility of God becoming man, suffering, dying, and rising again—these are "wonders" that defy human logic and yet are the very foundation of our hope (cf. [Philippians 2:6-11](/philippians/2-6-11 "Philippians 2:6-11 - The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ")). In Christ, the transcendent God of Job 9:10 does not cease to be "past finding out," but He makes Himself knowable and relatable, inviting humanity into a relationship with the very source of all wonders and the ultimate expression of His boundless 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

Job 5:9

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

Psalms 72:18

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

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!

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Daniel 4:2

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

Daniel 4:3

How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

¶ He hath made every [thing] beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.