Job 36:5-7
“Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God's "might" isn't just about raw power; it's rooted in his profound "strength of understanding." This deep comprehension means he sees every single person, no matter how small or insignificant they seem, with perfect clarity and justice, preventing him from ever despising them.
Elihu is arguing that Job's understanding of God is flawed because he believes God is unjust and shows favoritism. Elihu asserts that God is supremely powerful and wise, and therefore incapable of despising anyone or acting unfairly. This sets the stage for Elihu to explain how God's justice is evident even in suffering, which he will elaborate on in the following verses.
Have you ever felt like God is too distant or too grand to notice the small struggles of your life? This verse reminds us of something profound about God's power.
Elihu begins his argument by declaring God's immense might. This isn't just about physical strength; it’s about absolute power and sovereignty over all creation.
Absolute Power
God’s might means He is the ultimate source and sustainer of everything. He doesn't rely on anyone or anything. His power is self-existent and all-encompassing.
Sovereign Understanding
But His power isn't brute force. It's perfectly guided by His understanding. This means God possesses perfect wisdom and insight into every situation, every person, and every detail of existence. His might is inseparable from His intelligence and His perfect knowledge.
We often assume that powerful beings look down on the weak. But Elihu wants us to understand that God's greatness leads Him in the opposite direction.
The verse makes a crucial point: despite being infinitely powerful and wise, God 'does not despise any.' This is a direct contrast to how human power often operates.
Human Power vs. Divine Power
Human power, especially when unchecked, often leads to arrogance, looking down on those deemed less important or influential. But God, in His supreme might, doesn't operate this way. His greatness doesn't make Him disdainful.
The Basis of His Impartiality
Why doesn't God despise anyone? Because His supreme 'strength of understanding' allows Him to see the true worth and complexity of every person and every part of His creation. He values even the smallest, weakest, or most afflicted individual, not despising them as insignificant. His profound wisdom ensures His dealings are always just and appropriate for each person.
Understand the original words
kabbir · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to God’s greatness, power, and sovereign control; it emphasizes that He is unmatched in authority, majesty, and capability.
leb · Hebrew Noun
The ability to perceive, discern, and comprehend; in the Bible, it is often linked with wisdom and the divine capacity to know all things perfectly.
rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Refers to those who act in rebellion against God's moral order, lacking covenant faithfulness and persistently choosing evil over righteousness.
ani · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to those who are suffering, oppressed, or in humble circumstances; often used in Scripture to describe those who rely on God because they have no other recourse.
This passage beautifully echoes Job 36:5 by highlighting God's intimate knowledge of us, emphasizing that He sees and understands every detail of our lives, thus He cannot possibly despise us.
Matthew 10:29-31Jesus' words here directly connect to the idea that God doesn't despise the seemingly insignificant, using the example of sparrows to show His profound care and attention to detail for all His creation, reinforcing Elihu's point.
Isaiah 40:28-29This verse emphasizes God's immense power and wisdom, stating that He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak, which directly supports the assertion in Job 36:5 that God is mighty in strength and understanding, and doesn't overlook anyone.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29Paul's argument here mirrors Elihu's point by explaining that God often chooses the weak and lowly things of the world to shame the strong and powerful, demonstrating that God does not despise the humble but rather uses them, showcasing His wisdom.
clarkeJob 36:5: "Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom."
God is mighty and despiseth not any - He reproaches no man for his want of knowledge. If any man lack wisdom, he may come to God, who giveth liberally, and upbraideth not. I prefer this to the passive sense, will not be despised. He is mighty - Literally, "He is mighty in strength of heart;" he can never be terrified nor alarmed.
cambridgeJob 36:5: "Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom."
5 . and despiseth not ] Though God is mighty He despiseth or dis-daineth not, He gives the weakest his rights as much as the most powerful, for they are all the work of His hand, ch. Job 34:19 . The words express Elihu’s conception of God, which He opposes to the conception of Job (e.g. ch. 7 and often). in strength and wisdom ] Rather, in strength of understanding; lit of heart . It is this perfectio…
God's "might" isn't just about raw power; it's rooted in his profound "strength of understanding." This deep comprehension means he sees every single person, no matter how small or insignificant they seem, with perfect clarity and justice, preventing him from ever despising them.
Elihu is arguing that Job's understanding of God is flawed because he believes God is unjust and shows favoritism. Elihu asserts that God is supremely powerful and wise, and therefore incapable of despising anyone or acting unfairly. This sets the stage for Elihu to explain how God's justice is evident even in suffering, which he will elaborate on in the following verses.
Elihu is arguing that Job's understanding of God is flawed because he believes God is unjust and shows favoritism. Elihu asserts that God is supremely powerful and wise, and therefore incapable of despising anyone or acting unfairly. This sets the stage for Elihu to explain how God's justice is evident even in suffering, which he will elaborate on in the following verses.
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mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Refers to justice, legal cause, or a rightful claim; it implies a standard of rightness or judgment by which a person is vindicated.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who live in accordance with God’s standard of moral integrity and covenantal faithfulness; they are justified by faith and exhibit righteous conduct.
rum · Hebrew Verb
Describes the state of being raised up, honored, or lifted high, often by God's providence, in contrast to a previous state of humiliation or lowliness.
"“Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,…" — God's "might" isn't just about raw power; it's rooted in his profound "strength of understanding." This deep comprehension means he sees every single person, no matter how small or insignificant they…
