‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job echoes God's own words back, but in doing so, he identifies himself as the one who "hides counsel without knowledge." This isn't just about speaking rashly; it’s about how his attempts to understand God's justice actually obscured God's wisdom, revealing his own profound ignorance of things far beyond his grasp.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After God speaks directly to Job from the whirlwind, challenging his understanding of the world and His own wisdom, Job responds with profound humility. He echoes God's own words back, acknowledging that he himself is the one who has spoken foolishly and obscured God's wise counsel without true knowledge. Job confesses that he has uttered things far beyond his grasp, revealing the depth of his ignorance about God’s vast and wonderful plans.
Job begins his confession by repeating God's own powerful question. What does this tell us about true repentance?
Job 42:3 starts with a question that God himself asked Job earlier in the book: "Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?" (Job 38:2). Job isn't just remembering this question; he's applying it to himself.
A Mirror to the Soul
God used this question to show Job the vastness of His wisdom and the limits of Job's understanding. Now, Job turns the mirror back on himself. He's saying, 'That's me. I am the one who has darkened understanding with my words, pretending to know things I couldn't possibly grasp.'
This isn't just an intellectual admission; it's a deep, heartfelt acknowledgment of his own presumption. True repentance often involves hearing God's truth and recognizing ourselves within it.
Job admits to speaking about things 'too wonderful' and 'which I did not know.' What does this reveal about God's ways?
The core of Job's confession is his realization of profound ignorance. He acknowledges that he spoke rashly about divine matters – God's plans and governance of the world – things that were far beyond his comprehension.
Beyond Our Grasp
Job had been trying to fit God into his own limited understanding of justice and fairness. But God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The phrase 'things too wonderful' points to the awe-inspiring, complex, and ultimately mysterious nature of God's wisdom and providence. Job learned that admitting we don't understand God's deep counsels is not a failure, but the beginning of true wisdom.
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Speech Reflects the Mind
His statement, 'therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,' shows a direct link between his limited perspective and his foolish words. When our minds are filled with assumptions or incomplete knowledge about God, our speech will likely reflect that ignorance.
Understand the original words
etsah · Hebrew Noun
Divine wisdom, advice, or a plan. It often refers to God’s hidden, eternal decisions regarding the governance of the world.
da'ath · Hebrew Noun
A term for facts, discernment, or spiritual awareness. In a biblical context, it often contrasts human limitation with the infinite depth of God’s reality.
pala' · Hebrew Adjective/Verb
That which is distinctively extraordinary, difficult to comprehend, or miraculous. It describes divine actions or attributes that exceed the bounds of human intellect.
This passage is directly quoted by Job, showing how God's own words to him about his lack of knowledge are now the basis of Job's confession and repentance.
Isaiah 40:13This verse questions who has instructed God, highlighting the incomprehensible wisdom of God that Job is now acknowledging he cannot grasp.
Romans 11:33Paul exclaims over the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, echoing Job's realization that God's ways and thoughts are far beyond human understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:20This verse states that God makes foolish the wisdom of the world, which aligns with Job's confession that his own 'wisdom' led him to speak without true knowledge of God's wonderful ways.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse describes the deceitfulness of the human heart, which can lead to speaking without proper understanding, reflecting Job's internal struggle and eventual confession of his rash words.
cambridgeJob 42:3: "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not."
3 . who is he that hideth ] That is, that obscures counsel. The words of the Almighty (ch. Job 38:2 ) echo through Job’s mind, and he repeats them, speaking of himself. The rest of the verse expands the idea of “obscuring counsel,” or states its consequence. As one that obscured counsel Job had uttered that which he understood not. The refer…
clarkeJob 42:3: "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not."
Who is he that hideth counsel - These are the words of Job, and they are a repetition of what Jehovah said, Job 38:2 : "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" Job now having heard the Almighty's speech, and having received his reproof, echoes back his words: "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge Alas, I am…
Job echoes God's own words back, but in doing so, he identifies himself as the one who "hides counsel without knowledge." This isn't just about speaking rashly; it’s about how his attempts to understand God's justice actually obscured God's wisdom, revealing his own profound ignorance of things far beyond his grasp.
After God speaks directly to Job from the whirlwind, challenging his understanding of the world and His own wisdom, Job responds with profound humility. He echoes God's own words back, acknowledging that he himself is the one who has spoken foolishly and obscured God's wise counsel without true knowledge. Job confesses that he has uttered things far beyond his grasp, revealing the depth of his ignorance about God’s vast and wonderful plans.
After God speaks directly to Job from the whirlwind, challenging his understanding of the world and His own wisdom, Job responds with profound humility. He echoes God's own words back, acknowledging that he himself is the one who has spoken foolishly and obscured God's wise counsel without true knowledge. Job confesses that he has uttered things far beyond his grasp, revealing the depth of his ignorance about God’s vast and wonderful plans.
"‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." — Job echoes God's own words back, but in doing so, he identifies himself as the one who "hides counsel without knowledge." This isn't just about speaking rashly; it’s about how his attempts to underst…
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Last reviewed October 2026