Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed! New Living Translation How you have enlightened my stupidity! What wise advice you have offered! English Standard Version How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge! Berean Standard Bible How you have counseled the unwise and provided fully sound insight! King James Bible How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? New King James Version How have you counseled one who has no wisdom? And how have you declared sound advice to many? New American Standard Bible “What advice you have given to one without wisdom! What helpful insight you have abundantly provided! NASB 1995 “What counsel you have given to one without wisdom! What helpful insight you have abundantly provided! NASB 1977 “What counsel you have given to one without wisdom! What helpful insight you have abundantly provided! Legacy Standard Bible What counsel you have given to one without wisdom! What sound wisdom you have abundantly made known! Amplified Bible “How you have counseled the one who has no wisdom! And how abundantly you have provided sound wisdom and helpful insight! Christian Standard Bible How you have counseled the unwise and abundantly provided insight! Holman Christian Standard Bible How you have counseled the unwise and thoroughly explained the path to success! American Standard Version How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, And plentifully declared sound knowledge! Contemporary English Version You have given great advice and wonderful wisdom to someone truly in need. English Revised Version How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge! GOD'S WORD® Translation You have advised the person who has no wisdom and offered so much assistance. Good News Translation You give such good advice and share your knowledge with a fool like me! International Standard Version What counsel you provide to the fool! What insight you provide so abundantly! NET Bible How you have advised the one without wisdom, and abundantly revealed your insight! New Heart English Bible How have you counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge. Webster's Bible Translation How hast thou counseled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou abundantly declared the thing as it is? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHow you have counseled the unwise and provided fully sound insight! World English Bible How have you counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHow you have given counsel to the unwise, "" And made known wise plans in abundance. Young's Literal Translation What -- thou hast given counsel to the unwise, And wise plans in abundance made known. Smith's Literal Translation How didst thou counsel to him of no wisdom? and didst thou make known help for abundance? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTo whom hast thou given counsel? perhaps to him that hath no wisdom, and thou hast shewn thy very great prudence. Catholic Public Domain Version To whom have you given advice? Perhaps it is to him that has no wisdom or prudence that you have revealed your many ideas. New American Bible How you give counsel to one without wisdom; how profuse is the advice you offer! New Revised Standard Version How you have counseled one who has no wisdom, and given much good advice! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHow have you counselled him who has no wisdom? And how have you expounded so many doctrines? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated How have you counseled him who is without wisdom, and how much instruction have you made known? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, And plentifully declared sound knowledge! Brenton Septuagint Translation To whom hast thou given counsel? is it not to him who has all wisdom? whom wilt thou follow? is it not one who has the greatest power? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job: Who Can Understand God's Majesty?…2“How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble! 3How you have counseled the unwise and provided fully sound insight! 4To whom have you uttered these words? And whose spirit spoke through you?… Cross References Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. Isaiah 40:13-14 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding? Romans 11:33-34 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Isaiah 28:29 This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Colossians 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Daniel 2:20-21 and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Ephesians 1:17-18 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. Jeremiah 10:12 The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. 1 Kings 4:29-30 And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Treasury of Scripture How have you counceled him that has no wisdom? and how have you plentifully declared the thing as it is? counselled Job 6:13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? Job 13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. plentifully Job 33:3,33 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly… Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Psalm 49:1-4 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: … Jump to Previous Abundance Abundantly Advice Clear Counsel Counseled Counselled Declared Displayed Fully Great Helpful Insight Offered Plans Plentifully Provided Sound Teaching True. Unwise Wisdom WiseJump to Next Abundance Abundantly Advice Clear Counsel Counseled Counselled Declared Displayed Fully Great Helpful Insight Offered Plans Plentifully Provided Sound Teaching True. Unwise Wisdom WiseJob 26 1. Job, reproving the uncharitable spirit of Bildad5. acknowledges the power of God to be infinite and unsearchable How you have counseled the unwise This phrase is part of Job's response to Bildad, one of his friends who has been offering advice throughout the dialogue. The term "unwise" here can be seen as ironic, as Job is critiquing the quality of the counsel he has received. In the broader biblical context, wisdom is a central theme in the Book of Job, contrasting human understanding with divine wisdom. The irony in Job's statement may reflect the limitations of human wisdom compared to God's infinite understanding, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trusting in the Lord rather than one's own insight. The cultural context of the time placed high value on wisdom and counsel, often associated with age and experience, yet Job challenges this notion by highlighting the inadequacy of his friends' advice. and provided fully sound insight! Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who endures immense suffering and questions the justice of God. 2. Bildad One of Job's three friends who attempts to explain Job's suffering by suggesting it is a result of sin, offering traditional wisdom that Job challenges. 3. Uz The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia. 4. God The ultimate source of wisdom and understanding, whose ways and thoughts are higher than human comprehension. 5. The Heavenly Court The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness. Teaching Points The Limitations of Human WisdomHuman wisdom, while valuable, is limited and often fails to grasp the full scope of God's purposes and plans. The Importance of Seeking Divine Insight Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who provides insight that is fully sound and surpasses human understanding. The Role of Counsel in Times of Suffering When offering counsel to those who are suffering, it is crucial to rely on God's wisdom rather than solely on human reasoning or tradition. Humility in Understanding Recognize the need for humility in our understanding and acknowledge that God's wisdom is beyond our full comprehension. The Value of True Wisdom True wisdom is characterized by its alignment with God's truth and its ability to provide genuine insight and guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 26:3?2. How does Job 26:3 challenge us to seek God's wisdom in difficulties? 3. What does Job 26:3 reveal about God's role in providing counsel and insight? 4. How can we apply Job 26:3 to our daily decision-making processes? 5. In what ways does Job 26:3 connect to Proverbs' teachings on wisdom? 6. How can Job 26:3 inspire us to support others with God's wisdom? 7. How does Job 26:3 challenge our understanding of wisdom and counsel in times of suffering? 8. What historical context influences the interpretation of Job 26:3? 9. How does Job 26:3 reflect the theme of divine wisdom versus human understanding? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 26? 11. When is it time to be silent or speak? 12. What is the manifold wisdom of God? 13. Job 26:7: Does the statement about the earth 'hanging on nothing' truly reflect advanced cosmological insight or is it simply poetic language? 14. How do we reconcile Zophar's rigid cause-and-effect theology in Job 20 with other biblical passages (like Psalm 73) that acknowledge the prosperity of the wicked without immediate judgment? What Does Job 26:3 Mean How you have counseledJob’s exclamation is edged with irony—he looks at Bildad’s pompous speech (Job 25) and says in effect, “So this is your great counseling!” • Scripture treats true counsel as life-giving (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22), yet Bildad’s words left Job no nearer to comfort or clarity. • Isaiah 40:13 and Romans 11:34 ask, “Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or instructed Him as counselor?” reminding us that only counsel rooted in God’s own wisdom carries weight. • The verse exposes the emptiness of mere rhetoric; flashy theology without love is “a noisy gong” (1 Corinthians 13:1). the unwise Job pictures himself as one who desperately needs wisdom, while his friends have tagged him as foolish because of his suffering. • Psalm 14:1 calls the one who dismisses God’s way a “fool,” yet Job has not turned his back on the Lord; the friends have misdiagnosed him. • James 1:5 promises that God “gives generously to all without finding fault” when we lack wisdom—something Job’s friends never urged him to seek. • 1 Corinthians 1:27 shows God often works through those the world brands “foolish,” underscoring that Job’s circumstances do not define his spiritual standing. and provided Bildad claimed to supply answers; Job points out the deficit. • True provision comes from the “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6); any human advice must echo His heart or it falls flat. • Luke 21:15 records Jesus’ pledge: “I will give you speech and wisdom,” highlighting that genuine insight is a gift, not a display of human cleverness. • All-sufficient provision for guidance is already packed into Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). fully sound insight! Job’s sarcasm crests here: their insight is anything but sound. • Psalm 119:130 declares, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” The friends quoted truth yet misapplied it, so light never reached Job’s darkness. • Colossians 2:3 says of Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Job longs for that treasure; his friends delivered trinkets. • Proverbs 2:6 insists, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” The “sound insight” Bildad needed was God-breathed, not self-generated. summary Job 26:3 is a gentle but piercing rebuke. He thanks Bildad with heavy irony, spotlighting the gap between true, God-given counsel and empty, human presumption. Real wisdom uplifts the struggling, points to the Lord, and rests on Scripture’s sure foundation—everything Job’s friends failed to supply. (3) The thing as it is?--Rather, How hast thou plentifully declared sound knowledge?Verse 3. - How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? What counsel or advice is there in anything that thou hast said, by following which I might be benefited? Admitting my own want of wisdom, how hast thou bettered my case? And how hast thou plenteously declared the thing as it is? rather, How hast thou plenteously declared sound knowledge? What can there be said to have been in the way of sound knowledge, or good practical common sense (חוּשִׁיָה), in the discourse which thou hast addressed to me? - a discourse made up of truisms.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Howמַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what you have counseled יָּ֭עַצְתָּ (yā·‘aṣ·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve the unwise לְלֹ֣א (lə·lō) Preposition-l | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no and provided הוֹדָֽעְתָּ׃ (hō·w·ḏā·‘ə·tā) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know fully sound לָרֹ֥ב (lā·rōḇ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness insight! וְ֝תוּשִׁיָּ֗ה (wə·ṯū·šî·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8454: Support, ability, help, an undertaking, understanding Links Job 26:3 NIVJob 26:3 NLT Job 26:3 ESV Job 26:3 NASB Job 26:3 KJV Job 26:3 BibleApps.com Job 26:3 Biblia Paralela Job 26:3 Chinese Bible Job 26:3 French Bible Job 26:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 26:3 How have you counseled him who has (Jb) |
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