Job 36:23
New International Version
Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?

New Living Translation
No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’

English Standard Version
Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?

Berean Standard Bible
Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’?

King James Bible
Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

New King James Version
Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?

New American Standard Bible
“Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?

NASB 1995
“Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘You have done wrong ‘?

NASB 1977
“Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘Thou hast done wrong’?

Legacy Standard Bible
Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘You have worked out unrighteousness’?

Amplified Bible
“Who has appointed God His way, And who can say [to Him], ‘You have done wrong’?

Christian Standard Bible
Who has appointed his way for him, and who has declared, “You have done wrong”?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who has appointed His way for Him, and who has declared, “You have done wrong"?

American Standard Version
Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Contemporary English Version
to guide or correct him.

English Revised Version
Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Who can tell him which way he should go? Who can say to him, 'You did wrong'?

Good News Translation
No one can tell God what to do or accuse him of doing evil.

International Standard Version
Who ordained his path for him, and who has asked him, 'You are wrong, aren't you?'

Majority Standard Bible
Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ?You have done wrong??

NET Bible
Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'?

New Heart English Bible
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'

Webster's Bible Translation
Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

World English Bible
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who has appointed to Him His way? And who said, You have done iniquity?

Young's Literal Translation
Who hath appointed unto Him his way? And who said, 'Thou hast done iniquity?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Who charged upon him his way? and who said, Thou didst iniquity?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him : Thou has wrought iniquity?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Who is able to investigate his ways? And who can say, “You have done iniquity,” to him?

New American Bible
Who prescribes for him his way? Who says, “You have done wrong”?

New Revised Standard Version
Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who has enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who commands concerning his ways, and who says to him: ‘You have done evil?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who hath enjoined Him His way? Or who hath said: 'Thou hast wrought unrighteousness'?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And who is he that examines his works? or who can say, he has wrought injustice?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Declares God's Justice and Power
22Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him? 23Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’? 24Remember to magnify His work, which men have praised in song.…

Cross References
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 11:34
“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.

Isaiah 45:9-12
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? / Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to his mother, ‘What have you brought forth?’” / Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “Concerning things to come, do you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands? ...

Jeremiah 18:6
“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 14:27
The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” / But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Psalm 115:3
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Psalm 135:6
The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.

Ecclesiastes 8:4
For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”


Treasury of Scripture

Who has enjoined him his way? or who can say, You have worked iniquity?

Who hath

Job 34:13-33
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? …

Isaiah 40:13,14
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him? …

Romans 11:34
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

Thou

Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Job 34:10
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

Job 40:8
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

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Appointed Committed Enjoined Iniquity Orders Prescribed Thou Unrighteousness Way Ways Wrong Wrought
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Appointed Committed Enjoined Iniquity Orders Prescribed Thou Unrighteousness Way Ways Wrong Wrought
Job 36
1. Elihu shows how God is just in his ways
16. How Job's sins hinder God's blessings
24. God's works are to be magnified














Who has appointed His way for Him
This phrase challenges the notion of any being having authority over God. The Hebrew root for "appointed" is "paqad," which often implies oversight or command. In the context of Job, this rhetorical question underscores God's sovereignty and independence. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of deities as supreme rulers, but uniquely, the God of Israel is depicted as having no equal or overseer. This aligns with the conservative Christian view that God is the ultimate authority, self-sufficient and self-directed, needing no guidance or correction from His creation.

or told Him
The phrase "or told Him" suggests the audacity of attempting to instruct or correct God. The Hebrew verb "nagad" means to declare or make known. In the context of Job, it emphasizes the futility and arrogance of humans trying to impose their limited understanding on the divine. This reflects a broader biblical theme found in Isaiah 40:13-14, where the prophet questions who has understood the mind of the Lord. From a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a reminder of the vast chasm between human and divine wisdom, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect knowledge and plan.

‘You have done wrong’
This phrase directly addresses the concept of divine justice and righteousness. The Hebrew word for "wrong" is "avel," which denotes iniquity or injustice. In the context of Job, it highlights the absurdity of accusing God of wrongdoing. Job's friends have implied that suffering is a direct result of sin, yet Elihu, the speaker here, points out that God's actions are beyond human judgment. From a conservative Christian standpoint, this reinforces the belief in God's inherent goodness and justice, affirming that His ways, though sometimes inscrutable, are always right and just. This encourages believers to maintain faith in God's righteousness, even amidst suffering and confusion.

Verse 23. - Who hath enjoined him his way? (comp. Job 34:13). While God is thus the universal and all-perfect Teacher, there are some who would fain instruct him, dictate the course which he ought to pursue, improve and amend his universe. Something of this spirit has appeared in Job's remonstrances, which seem to insinuate that the Divine government of the world might be carried on better than it is (see Job 9:22-24; Job 10:3; Job 13:20-26; Job 16:11-17, etc.). Elihu's intention is to reprove Job for his presumption. Or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? Job has not said this; but he has gone near to saying it (Job 9:24; Job 10:3; Job 21:7-26; Job 24:2-12, etc.); compare the comment on Job 34:5-12.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Who
מִֽי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has appointed
פָקַ֣ד (p̄ā·qaḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

His way
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

for Him,
עָלָ֣יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

or
וּמִֽי־ (ū·mî-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

told Him,
אָ֝מַ֗ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘You have done
פָּעַ֥לְתָּ (pā·‘al·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6466: To do, make, to practise

wrong’?
עַוְלָֽה׃ (‘aw·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5766: Injustice, unrighteousness


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OT Poetry: Job 36:23 Who has prescribed his way for him? (Jb)
Job 36:22
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