Job 9:5-7
he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "and they know not" isn't about the mountains being unaware, but about the shocking suddenness of God's action, happening so swiftly that no one—not even the mountains themselves, if they could perceive—has any warning. This reveals God's power as so immense and instantaneous that His works of judgment or creation can occur before anyone can comprehend them.
Job is reeling from his suffering and arguing that God's power is so immense and his justice so inscrutable that trying to understand or contend with Him is utterly futile. He's describing cataclysmic events, like earthquakes, that dramatically alter the landscape in an instant, demonstrating God's overwhelming might and control over creation. This is part of Job's desperate attempt to grasp why he, a righteous man, is enduring such agony, concluding that God's ways are beyond human comprehension.
Ever feel like life changes in an instant, without warning? Job uses a dramatic image to describe God's power over creation.
Job isn't just talking about mountains in general. He's pointing to the earth-shattering power of God, like that seen in earthquakes. Mountains, which seem immovable and permanent, can be shifted, removed, or even swallowed up in moments. The phrase 'and they know it not' emphasizes the suddenness of these events. It's not a slow, predictable process, but something that happens so fast it catches everyone, even the mountains themselves (personified here), completely by surprise. This highlights God's absolute control over the very foundations of the earth.
Why would God overturn mountains? Job connects this immense power to His emotional state – specifically, His anger.
Job links God's power to overturn mountains directly with His 'anger.' This isn't petty human irritation; it's the holy displeasure of a perfect God against sin and rebellion. When God is angry, the very foundations of creation react violently. This imagery shows that God's power is not just immense, but also moral and purposeful. He isn't a distant, indifferent force; His actions, even destructive ones, are tied to His righteous judgment.
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Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
The divine emotion of displeasure or righteous indignation against sin, ungodliness, or opposition; it is God’s settled, holy reaction against that which violates His nature.
ragaz · Hebrew Verb
An act of God, often manifesting His power in creation or judgment, causing the foundations of the world to move or react to His presence.
ammud · Hebrew Noun
Metaphorical or literal supports of the earth, often representing the stability of the created order, which rests entirely upon the sustaining power of God.
tsavah · Hebrew Verb
The exercise of God’s sovereign authority over the celestial bodies, demonstrating His absolute control over the natural laws and rhythms of the universe.
chatham · Hebrew Verb
The act of setting a boundary or concealing, representing God's prerogative to restrict the light of the heavens or to withhold the manifestation of His glory.
This passage describes the earth shaking and mountains melting before the Lord, echoing Job's description of God's immense power over the natural world.
Psalm 65:6It directly parallels Job's imagery, stating that God 'by his strength..., who girdeth the mountains by his power,' showcasing God's sovereign control over creation.
Isaiah 40:12This verse further illustrates God's might by showing Him measuring the waters and weighing the mountains, emphasizing His power to manipulate the very foundations of the earth.
Jeremiah 4:24This prophetic passage uses the imagery of mountains quaking and hills trembling when God is angry, connecting divine wrath with cataclysmic natural events.
Matthew 17:20Jesus speaks about the power of faith being able to move mountains, offering a different perspective on this imagery but still acknowledging the immense force associated with it.
clarkeJob 9:5: "Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger."
Removeth the mountains, and they know not - This seems to refer to earthquakes. By those strong convulsions, mountains, valleys, hills, even whole islands, are removed in an instant; and to this latter circumstance the words, they know not, most probably refer. The work is done in the twinkling of an eye; no warning is given; the mountain, that seemed to be as firm as the earth on which it rested, w…
barnesJob 9:5: "Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger."
Which removeth the mountains - In order to show how vain it was to contend with God, Job refers to some exhibitions of his power and greatness. The "removal of the mountains" here denotes the changes which occur in earthquakes and other violent convulsions of nature. This illustration of the power of God is often referred to in the Scriptures; compare Judges 5:5 ; 1 Kings 19:11 ; Psalm 65:6 ; Psalm…
The phrase "and they know not" isn't about the mountains being unaware, but about the shocking suddenness of God's action, happening so swiftly that no one—not even the mountains themselves, if they could perceive—has any warning. This reveals God's power as so immense and instantaneous that His works of judgment or creation can occur before anyone can comprehend them.
Job is reeling from his suffering and arguing that God's power is so immense and his justice so inscrutable that trying to understand or contend with Him is utterly futile. He's describing cataclysmic events, like earthquakes, that dramatically alter the landscape in an instant, demonstrating God's overwhelming might and control over creation. This is part of Job's desperate attempt to grasp why he, a righteous man, is enduring such agony, concluding that God's ways are beyond human comprehension.
Job is reeling from his suffering and arguing that God's power is so immense and his justice so inscrutable that trying to understand or contend with Him is utterly futile. He's describing cataclysmic events, like earthquakes, that dramatically alter the landscape in an instant, demonstrating God's overwhelming might and control over creation. This is part of Job's desperate attempt to grasp why he, a righteous man, is enduring such agony, concluding that God's ways are beyond human comprehension.
"he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars;" — The phrase "and they know not" isn't about the mountains being unaware, but about the shocking suddenness of God's action, happening so swiftly that no one—not even the mountains themselves, if they…
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