Job 35:11

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 35:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of the heavens?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of the heavens?
Job 35:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of the heavens?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth? etc.] Who are taught and know much, especially some of them; but not so much as man, (see <230103>Isaiah 1:3,4); and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? who are wise to provide food and nests for themselves and their young; and such as are birds of passage, as the turtledove, the crane, the stork, and the swallow, to know the time of their coming and returning, (see <240807>Jeremiah 8:7-9). But then neither the beasts not; the fowls, though they are endowed with much knowledge and sagacity, according to their natures, yet not with reason and understanding, as men are, so as to make reflections on things they see and hear, and reason…”
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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
“Man's spirit, which distinguishes him from the brute, is the strongest proof of God's beneficence; by the use of it we may understand that God is the Almighty helper of all sufferers who humbly seek Him; and that they err who do not so seek Him. fowls--(see on Job 28:21).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth - Who is able to teach us mere than the irrational creation; that is, in regard to the nature and design of affliction. They suffer without knowing why. They are subjected to toil and hardships; endure pain, and die, without any knowledge why all this occurs, and without any rational view of the government and plans of God. It is not, or need not be so, says Elihu, when man suffers. He is intelligent. He can understand why he is afflicted. He has only to make use of his superior endowments, and apply to his Maker, and he will see so much of the reason of his doings that he will acquiesce in the wise arrangement. Perhaps there is an implied…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who - This is an aggravation of mens neglect of God in their misery. God hath given men, what he hath denied to beasts, wisdom to know God and themselves. Therefore they are inexcusable, for not using that wisdom, by calling on God in the time of trouble. Job 35:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 32:8; Gen 1:26, Gen 2:7; Psa 94:12 Job 35:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification