Job 42:2

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 42:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.
Job 42:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 42

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I know that thou canst do every [thing], etc.] As the works of creation, and the sustentation of them, show; so the Targum, “thou sustainest all things,” and can manage, every creature made by him, even such as were not tractable by men, such as behemoth and leviathan, the creatures last instanced in; and was able to abase and bring low the proud, which Job could not do; and could also save him by his right hand, and bring him out of his low estate in which he was, and raise him to great prosperity again, which Job always despaired of till now; and though he had a theoretical knowledge of the omnipotence of God before, (see <180904>Job 9:4-10); yet not a practical experimental knowledge of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I know that thou canst do everything - This is said by Job in view of what had been declared by the Almighty in the previous chapters. It is an acknowledgment that God was omnipotent, and that man ought to be submissive, under the putting forth of his infinite power. One great object of the address of the Almighty was to convince Job of his majesty, and that object was fully accomplished. And that no thought - No purpose or plan of thine. God was able to execute all his designs. Can be withholden from thee - Margin, “or, of thine can be hindered.” Literally, “cut off” - בצר bâtsar. The word, however, means also “to cut off access to,” and then to prevent, hinder, restrain. This is its…”
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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
“Thou canst, &c. - Job here subscribes to God's unlimited power, knowledge and dominion, to prove which was the scope of God's discourse out of the whirlwind. And his judgment being convinced of these, his conscience also was convinced, of his own folly in speaking so irreverently concerning him. No thought can be withholden from thee - No thought of ours can be withholden from thy knowledge. And there is no thought of thine, which thou canst be hindered from bringing into execution. Job 42:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou: Gen 18:14; Isa 43:13; Jer 32:17; Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27, Mar 14:36; Luk 18:27 no: Psa 44:21, Psa 139:2; Jer 17:10; Eze 38:10; Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Joh 21:17; Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13 can be withholden from thee: or, of thine can be hindered, Job 23:13; Pro 19:21; Ecc 3:14; Isa 14:27, Isa 46:10; Dan 4:35; Eph 1:11 Job 42:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification