Job 36:5

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 36:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.
Job 36:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, God [is] mighty, etc.] This is a clear plain truth, easy to be discerned, and worthy of notice, and therefore introduced with a “behold”; that God is mighty, the most mighty, the Almighty, as appears from his works of nature and providence; making all things out of nothing, upholding them by the word of his power, and governing and overruling all things in the world, and doing in it whatever he pleases: and from the works of redemption and grace; ransoming his people out of the hands of them that are stronger than they; converting them by the power of his grace; assisting them to do all they do in a spiritual way; supporting them under all their troubles; protecting and defending…”
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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
“Rather, "strength of understanding" (heart) the force of the repetition of "mighty"; as "mighty" as God is, none is too low to be "despised" by Him; for His "might" lies especially in "His strength of understanding," whereby He searches out the most minute things, so as to give to each his right. Elihu confirms his exhortation (Job 35:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, God is Mighty - This is the first consideration which Elihu urges, and the purpose seems to be to affirm that God is so great that he has no occasion to modify his treatment of any class of people from a reference to himself. He is wholly independent of all, and can therefore be impartial in his dealings. If it were otherwise; if he were dependent upon human beings for any share of his happiness, he might be tempted to show special favor to the great and to the rich; to spare the mighty who are wicked, though he cut off the poor. But he has no such inducement, as he is wholly independent; and it is to be presumed, therefore, that he treats all impartially; see the notes at Job…”
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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
“Despiseth - His greatness doth not make him (as it doth men) despise, or oppress the meanest. Wisdom - His strength is guided by wisdom, and therefore cannot do any thing unbecoming God, or unjust to his creatures. Job 36:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“despiseth: Job 10:3, Job 31:13; Psa 22:24, Psa 138:6 mighty: Job 9:14, Job 9:19, Job 12:13-16, Job 26:12-14, Job 37:23; Psa 99:4, Psa 147:5; Jer 10:12, Jer 32:19; Co1 1:24-28 wisdom: Heb. heart Job 36:6”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“5 Behold, God is mighty, and yet doth not act scornfully, Mighty in power of understanding. 6 He preserveth not the life of the ungodly, And to the afflicted He giveth right. 7 He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne He establisheth them for ever, and they are exalted. The obj. that must be mentally supplied to ימאס ולא is, as in Job 42:6, to be derived from the connection. The idea of the verb is, as in Job 8:20 : He is exalted, without however looking down disdainfully (non despicit) from His height, or more definitely: without setting Himself above the justice due to even the meanest of His creatures - great in power of heart (comp. Job 34:33 אנשׁי…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification