the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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King James Version
Job 38:2
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- InternationalParallel Translations
"Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
"Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true?
"Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge?
Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
"Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
"Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
and seide, Who is this man, wlappynge sentences with vnwise wordis?
"Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge?
Why do you talk so much when you know so little?
Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?
Who is this who makes the purpose of God dark by words without knowledge?
"Who is this, darkening my plans with his ignorant words?
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
"Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Who is this that darkneth counsell by words without knowledge?
"Who is this that makes words of wisdom dark by speaking without much learning?
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Who is this that darkeneth the counsell by wordes without knowledge?
Who is this that gives counsel by words without knowledge?
The Lord
Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words?Who is it that darkeneth counsel, by words, without knowledge?
Who is this that wrappeth up sentences in unskilful words?
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
What is he that darkeneth his counsaile by wordes without knowledge?
Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in his heart, and thinks to conceal them from me?
Who is this who obscures my counselwith ignorant words?
"Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
"Who is this darkening counsel by words without knowledge?
Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Who [is] this -- darkening counsel, By words without knowledge?
what is he, that hydeth his mynde with foolysh wordes?
"Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night. Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose, And said, ‘Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'
"Who is this who darkens the divine plan By words without knowledge?
"Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
"Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
"Who is this that darkens counselBy words without knowledge?
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Job 12:3, Job 23:4, Job 23:5, Job 24:25, Job 26:3, Job 27:11, Job 34:35, Job 35:16, Job 42:3, 1 Timothy 1:7
Reciprocal: Job 6:26 - reprove Job 11:5 - General Job 33:3 - my lips Job 37:19 - we Psalms 106:33 - he spake Psalms 139:4 - there is not Romans 9:20 - who art Colossians 2:18 - intruding James 4:12 - who
Cross-References
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
And I will make thee swear by the Lord , the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the Lord ; and he slew him.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Who [is] this,.... Meaning not Elihu the last speaker, as some think; and there are some who suppose not only that these words are directed to him, but all that is said in this and the following chapter: but it was Job the Lord spoke to and answered, as expressed in
Job 38:1; and these words are taken by Job to himself, Job 42:3. Concerning whom the Lord inquires, not as ignorant of him, who he was; but wondering that such a man as he should talk as he did; and as angry with him, and rebuking him for it;
that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? either his own counsel, his sense and sentiments of things, which were delivered in such an obscure manner as not to be intelligible by those that heard them; whereby they were led, as Job's friends were, into some mistaken notions of him: or rather the counsel of God, his works of providence, which are done according to the counsel of his will, and were misrepresented by Job, as not being wise and good, just and equitable; see Job 34:3.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Who is this - Referring doubtless to Job, for he is specified in the previous verse. Some have understood it of Elihu (see Schultens), but the connection evidently demands that it should be understood as referring to Job. The object was, to reprove him for the presumptuous manner in which he had spoken of God and of his government. It was important before God manifested his approval of Job, that he should declare his sense of what he had said, and show him how improper it was to indulge in language such as he had used.
That darkeneth counsel - That makes the subject darker. Instead of explaining the reason of the divine dealings, and vindicating God from the objections alleged against him and his government, the only tendency of what he had said had been to make his government appear dark, and severe, and unjust in the view of his friends. It might have been expected of Job, being a friend of God, that all that he said would have tended to inspire confidence in him, and to explain and vindicate the divine dealings; but, God had seen much that was the very reverse. Even the true friends of God, in the dark times of trial, may say much that will tend to make people doubt the wisdom and goodness of his government, and to prejudice the minds of the wicked against him.
By words without knowledge - Words that did not contain a true explanation of the difficulty. They conveyed no light about his dealings; they did not tend to satisfy the mind, or to make the subject more clear than it was before. There is much of this kind of speaking in the world; much that is written, and much that fails from the lips in debate, in preaching, and in conversation, that explains nothing, and that even leaves the subject more perplexed than it was before. We see from this verse that God does not and cannot approve of such “words.” If his friends speak, they should vindicate his government; they should at least express their conviction that he is right; they should aim to explain his doings, and to show to the world that they are reasonable. If they cannot do this, they should adore in silence. The Savior never spoke of God in such a way as to leave any doubt that his ways could be vindicated, never so as to leave the impression that he was harsh or severe in his administration, or so as to lend the least countenance to a spirit of murmuring and complaining.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Job 38:2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel — As if he had said, Who art thou who pretendest to speak on the deep things of God, and the administration of his justice and providence, which thou canst not comprehend; and leavest my counsels and designs the darker for thy explanation?
