Job 15:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 15:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself?
Job 15:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hast thou heard the secret of God? etc.] Or, “in the secret of God” f621 , in his cabinet council, what was said and done there? hast thou stood in the council of God? hast thou been one of his privy council, or counsellors, and been let into all the secrets of God, of his purposes and providence, and into the reasons of all his administrations, that thou talkest so freely, and boldly, and confidently as thou dost? Indeed Christ, the son of God, was the Angel of the great council; the counsel of peace was between him and his Father; yea, he was in his bosom, and privy to all his thoughts, designs, and decrees, and knew everything, what would be, and the reasons thereof; as well as the nature…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“secret--rather, "Wast thou a listener in the secret council of God?" The Hebrew means properly the cushions of a divan on which counsellors in the East usually sit. God's servants are admitted to God's secrets (Psa 25:14; Gen 18:17; Joh 15:15). restrain--Rather, didst thou take away, or borrow, thence (namely, from the divine secret council) thy wisdom? Eliphaz in this (Job 15:8-9) retorts Job's words upon himself (Job 12:2-3; Job 13:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hast thou heard the secret of God? - literally, “in the secret of God hast thou heard” - הסוד hasôd. The word rendered “secret” (סוד sôd) means properly a “couch” or “cushion,” on which one reclines - whether for sleep or at a table, or as a divan. Hence, it means a divan, or circle of persons sitting together for familiar conversation, Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 15:17; or of judges, counsellors, or advisers for consultation, as the word “divan” is now used in Oriental countries; Psalms 89:7; Jeremiah 33:18. Then it means any consultation, counsel, familiar conversation, or intimacy; Psalms 55:14; Proverbs 15:22. Here God is represented in Oriental language as seated in a “divan,” or council…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:8 The book’s readers know about God’s secret council (1:6-12; 2:1-6; see 1 Kgs 22:19-20; Ps 89:5-7), but Job and his company did not.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the secret: Job 11:6; Deu 29:29; Psa 25:14; Pro 3:32; Jer 23:18; Amo 3:7; Mat 11:25; Mat 13:11, Mat 13:35; Joh 15:15; Rom 11:34, Rom 16:25, Rom 16:26; Co1 2:9-11, Co1 2:16 thou restrain: Job 12:2, Job 13:5, Job 13:6 Job 15:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification