Job 9:5

KJV

Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which removeth {H6275} the mountains {H2022}, and they know {H3045} not: which overturneth {H2015} them in his anger {H639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"He moves the mountains, although they don't know it, when he overturns them in his anger.

Berean Standard Bible

He moves mountains without their knowledge and overturns them in His anger.

American Standard Version

Himthat removeth the mountains, and they know it not, When he overturneth them in his anger;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 9:5 powerfully declares the immeasurable and unchallengeable sovereignty of God over all creation, particularly highlighting His effortless ability to manipulate and even dismantle the most stable and enduring elements of the natural world, such as mountains. This verse serves as a profound testament to divine omnipotence, emphasizing that God's actions are often beyond human comprehension and can be executed with both creative and judicial intent, underscoring humanity's utter inability to contend with or fully grasp His majestic power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's initial response to Bildad the Shuhite in [Job 9](/job/9 "Job 9 - Job's Response to Bildad"). Bildad had just asserted that God is just and only punishes the wicked, implying Job's suffering must be due to his sin. Job, while agreeing with God's absolute righteousness and power, finds himself in an impossible dilemma: how can a mere human contend with such an omnipotent and inscrutable God, even if innocent? [Job 9:4-10](/job/9-4 "Job 9:4-10 - God's Unchallengeable Power") forms a poetic catalogue of God's awe-inspiring acts, from cosmic creation to the subtle movements of the earth, all designed to underscore His unapproachable majesty and the futility of any human attempt to justify themselves before Him. Verse 5 specifically contributes to this overwhelming portrayal of divine might, focusing on God's control over the very foundations of the earth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, mountains were often perceived as symbols of permanence, stability, and even divine dwelling places. To "remove" or "overturn" mountains was an act reserved for the most powerful deities, signifying ultimate dominion over the cosmos and the forces of nature. The imagery in [Job 9:5](/job/9-5 "Job 9:5 - God's Power Over Mountains") would have resonated deeply with an audience accustomed to understanding divine power through dramatic natural phenomena. Furthermore, the concept of divine anger (`'aph`) was well-established, often associated with righteous judgment and the dismantling of creation or human structures as a consequence of sin. Job's discourse reflects a worldview where God's power is not merely abstract but tangibly demonstrated in the world's order and occasional upheaval, shaping human destiny and the natural landscape.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Job 9](/job/9 "Job 9 - Job's Dilemma") and particularly in [Job 9:5](/job/9-5 "Job 9:5 - God's Power Over Mountains") is the **Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty**. God's ability to "remove" and "overturn" mountains without their awareness highlights His absolute, effortless control over even the most formidable aspects of nature, challenging any human notion of resistance or comprehension. This leads to the theme of **The Incomprehensibility of God's Actions**. The phrase "and they know not" can imply that God's workings are so vast and subtle that even the mountains themselves are unaware, or more profoundly, that human understanding is utterly insufficient to grasp the full scope of His mysterious ways. Finally, the phrase "in his anger" introduces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Righteous Anger**. God's power is not just for creation but also for righteous retribution, as seen in other biblical passages like [Nahum 1:6](/nahum/1-6 "Nahum 1:6 - Who Can Stand Before His Indignation?"), where His indignation is described as an unquenchable fire, demonstrating His holy wrath against unrighteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Removeth (Hebrew, _he'etiq_):** This verb conveys the idea of displacing, moving, or causing something to depart from its established place. In the context of mountains, it emphasizes the effortless ease with which God can alter even the most massive and seemingly immoveable natural formations, suggesting a divine power that transcends all earthly stability.
* **Overturneth (Hebrew, _haphakh_):** This is a strong, active verb often used in the Old Testament to describe God's powerful acts of overthrow, reversal, or destruction. It implies a complete turning upside down or a radical transformation, as seen in the judgment of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah ([Genesis 19:21](/genesis/19-21 "Genesis 19:21 - Overthrow of Sodom")). Here, it underscores the destructive potential of God's power when exercised in judgment.
* **Anger (Hebrew, _'aph_):** Literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," this term is a common idiom for intense anger, particularly divine righteous indignation. It signifies a holy wrath that is not capricious or uncontrolled, but a just and purposeful response to sin or rebellion. The inclusion of God's "anger" reveals that His immense power is not merely abstract force but is often directed by His moral character and judicial will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which removeth the mountains":** This clause establishes God's absolute sovereignty over the most formidable and seemingly permanent elements of the natural world. Mountains, often symbols of stability and strength, are depicted as easily displaced by God's command, highlighting His unparalleled power and the futility of any human attempt to resist His will or question His authority.
* **"and they know not":** This enigmatic phrase can be interpreted in two primary ways, both underscoring God's transcendence. First, it may suggest that the mountains themselves are unaware of their own displacement, emphasizing the subtle, effortless, and overwhelming nature of God's power. Second, and more profoundly, it can imply that human beings cannot comprehend or perceive the full scope and timing of God's mighty workings. His actions are beyond human understanding and observation, occurring in ways that defy our ability to grasp or anticipate.
* **"which overturneth them in his anger":** This final clause adds a crucial dimension to God's power: it is not merely a neutral force but is often directed by His righteous indignation. The act of "overturning" signifies a forceful, destructive, or transformative act of divine judgment. This reveals that God's power is employed not only in creation and sustenance but also in righteous retribution against sin, demonstrating His holy character and His capacity to bring about radical change or destruction when provoked by unrighteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Job 9:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey God's overwhelming power. **Imagery** is central, painting vivid pictures of God effortlessly manipulating mountains, which are universal symbols of permanence and stability. This creates a striking contrast between the immovability of the earth's foundations and the ease with which God can alter them. The phrase "and they know not" uses a form of **Personification**, attributing a lack of awareness to inanimate mountains, which serves to emphasize the sheer scale and imperceptibility of God's actions from a human perspective. Furthermore, the description of God's power to "remove" and "overturn" mountains can be seen as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating a truth to emphasize the boundless nature of divine omnipotence beyond human comprehension or challenge. Finally, the mention of "his anger" introduces **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human emotion (anger) to God, which helps the reader grasp the divine motivation behind such powerful, often destructive, acts of judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 9:5 is a profound statement on God's absolute sovereignty and power, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. It underscores that God is not merely powerful, but His power is unchallengeable, incomprehensible, and often exercised with a divine purpose that transcends human understanding. This verse contributes to the broader biblical narrative of God as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer, who also holds the power of righteous judgment. It invites awe and humility before a God whose ways are higher than our ways, and whose might can reshape the very foundations of the earth, whether for creation or for judgment. The "anger" mentioned is not capricious but righteous, reflecting His holy nature and His just response to sin.

* [Psalm 46:2-3](/psalm/46-2 "God is Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Isaiah 40:12](/isaiah/40-12 "God's Immeasurable Power")
* [Revelation 6:14](/revelation/6-14 "Mountains Moved in Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 9:5 calls us to a posture of profound awe and humility before the Almighty God. In a world that often exalts human achievement and seeks control, this verse reminds us that there is a power infinitely greater than our own, one that can effortlessly move mountains—both literal and metaphorical. It encourages us to trust in a God who is capable of anything, even when the obstacles in our lives seem as insurmountable as mountains. This divine power is not arbitrary; when exercised "in his anger," it reminds us of God's perfect justice and the seriousness of sin. Therefore, our response should be one of reverence, recognizing our utter dependence on Him and the futility of contending with His will. It encourages us to surrender our limited understanding and anxieties to the One who holds all power, finding peace in His unchallengeable sovereignty even amidst life's most perplexing trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God moving mountains challenge my perception of what is "impossible" in my own life or in the world?**
* **In what ways do I tend to rely on my own strength or understanding rather than submitting to God's incomprehensible power and wisdom?**
* **How does knowing that God's power can be exercised "in his anger" shape my understanding of His justice and holiness?**

### FAQ
**Does "and they know not" mean God's actions are random or unperceived?**

Answer: The phrase "and they know not" in [Job 9:5](/job/9-5 "Job 9:5 - God's Power Over Mountains") does not imply that God's actions are random or without purpose. Rather, it emphasizes the overwhelming and often imperceptible nature of His power from a human perspective. It can be interpreted in two primary ways: first, that the mountains themselves (as inanimate objects) are unaware of their own displacement, highlighting the effortless and subtle manner in which God enacts His will. Second, and more significantly for human understanding, it suggests that God's workings are so vast, profound, and beyond human comprehension that we often do not perceive or understand the full scope of His actions until after they have occurred, if at all. This underscores God's transcendence and the mystery of His sovereign ways, reinforcing the idea that His wisdom and power are far beyond our grasp, as also suggested in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The unchallengeable power and sovereignty of God described in [Job 9:5](/job/9-5 "Job 9:5 - God's Power Over Mountains") find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the God who "removes the mountains" and "overturns them in his anger." Jesus demonstrated this divine power over creation by calming storms ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), walking on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), and multiplying food ([John 6:11](/john/6-11 "John 6:11 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")), showing that the Creator's power was fully present in Him. Furthermore, the "anger" of God against sin is perfectly executed and satisfied in Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He bore the full wrath of God for humanity's transgressions ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Christ")). Through His resurrection, Christ "overturned" the dominion of death and sin, removing the greatest spiritual "mountains" that separated humanity from God ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Powers")). Thus, the terrifying and incomprehensible power of God in Job is revealed in Christ as a redemptive, saving power, establishing His ultimate authority as King of kings and Lord of lords, before whom every knee will bow ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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

Luke 21:11

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Matthew 27:51

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Revelation 16:18

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.

Revelation 16:20

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

Revelation 11:13

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Habakkuk 3:10

The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, [and] lifted up his hands on high.

Revelation 6:14

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.