Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. New Living Translation “So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments. English Standard Version Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. Berean Standard Bible Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. King James Bible Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. New King James Version “Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness. New American Standard Bible “Teach us what we are to say to Him; We cannot present our case because of darkness. NASB 1995 “Teach us what we shall say to Him; We cannot arrange our case because of darkness. NASB 1977 “Teach us what we shall say to Him; We cannot arrange our case because of darkness. Legacy Standard Bible Make us know what we shall say to Him; We cannot arrange our case because of darkness. Amplified Bible “Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being; We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God]. Christian Standard Bible Teach us what we should say to him; we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness. Holman Christian Standard Bible Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness. American Standard Version Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness. Contemporary English Version Tell us what to say to God! Our minds are in the dark, and we don't know how to argue our case. English Revised Version Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. GOD'S WORD® Translation Teach us what we should say to him. We are unable to prepare [a case] because of darkness. Good News Translation Teach us what to say to God; our minds are blank; we have nothing to say. International Standard Version Tell us! What are we to say to him? Can we prepare our case to face him when our faces are in darkness? NET Bible Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness. New Heart English Bible Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness. Webster's Bible Translation Teach us what we shall say to him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTeach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. World English Bible Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionLet us know what we say to Him, "" We do not set in array because of darkness. Young's Literal Translation Let us know what we say to Him, We set not in array because of darkness. Smith's Literal Translation Make known to us what we shall say to him we shall not set in order from the face of darkness. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleShew us what we may say to him : for we are wrapped up in darkness. Catholic Public Domain Version Reveal to us what we should say to him, for, of course, we are wrapped in darkness. New American Bible Teach us then what we shall say to him; we cannot, for the darkness, make our plea. New Revised Standard Version Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTeach us what we shall say to him, that we may not hide because of the darkness. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Teach me what I shall say to him, and we shall not be destroyed from before the darkness OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Teach us what we shall say unto Him; For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Brenton Septuagint Translation Wherefore teach me, what shall we say to him? and let us cease from saying much. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty…18can you, like Him, spread out the skies to reflect the heat like a mirror of bronze? 19Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness. 20Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up?… Cross References Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. 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 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. 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? Job 11:7-9 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know! Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. Romans 9:20 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?” Treasury of Scripture Teach us what we shall say to him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Teach 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 13:3,6 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God… we Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? Job 28:20,21 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? … Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Jump to Previous Arrange Case Cause Clear Dark Darkness Draw Order Reason Speech Teach Unable WordsJump to Next Arrange Case Cause Clear Dark Darkness Draw Order Reason Speech Teach Unable WordsJob 37 1. God is to be feared because of his great works15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them Teach us what we should say to Him; This phrase reflects a humble acknowledgment of human limitations in understanding and communicating with God. In the context of the Book of Job, Elihu is speaking, emphasizing the need for divine wisdom to approach God appropriately. This echoes the biblical theme of seeking God's guidance, as seen in James 1:5, where believers are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. The phrase also highlights the importance of reverence and humility before God, reminiscent of Moses' encounter with God in Exodus 3, where he is instructed on how to speak and act in God's presence. we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice. 2. Elihu A younger friend of Job who speaks in chapters 32-37. He offers a different perspective on Job's suffering, emphasizing God's greatness and the limitations of human understanding. 3. God The Almighty Creator, whose wisdom and power are beyond human comprehension. Elihu is preparing Job and his friends for God's response. 4. Darkness Symbolic of human ignorance and limited understanding, especially in the context of divine matters. 5. The Heavens Often referenced in Job as a testament to God's majesty and power, serving as a backdrop to Elihu's speeches. Teaching Points Human Limitation and Divine WisdomRecognize our limitations in understanding God's ways. Like Job, we often face situations where our knowledge is insufficient, and we must rely on God's wisdom. The Role of Humility in Seeking God Approach God with humility, acknowledging our "darkness" or lack of understanding. This humility is crucial in our relationship with God and in seeking His guidance. The Importance of Seeking God's Guidance In times of confusion or suffering, turn to God for wisdom and understanding. Elihu's call to "teach us what we should say" emphasizes the need for divine instruction. Trusting in God's Sovereignty Trust in God's sovereign plan, even when we cannot comprehend it. Elihu's speech prepares Job to hear from God, reminding us to trust in God's ultimate wisdom and justice. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 37:19?2. How does Job 37:19 emphasize our limited understanding of God's wisdom? 3. What does Job 37:19 teach about seeking God's guidance in prayer? 4. How can Job 37:19 inspire humility in our daily walk with God? 5. Connect Job 37:19 with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God's understanding. 6. How can Job 37:19 influence our approach to life's unanswered questions? 7. How does Job 37:19 challenge our understanding of God's wisdom compared to human knowledge? 8. What does Job 37:19 reveal about the limitations of human speech before God? 9. How does Job 37:19 fit into the broader theme of divine mystery in the Book of Job? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 37? 11. Do the despairing references to the grave and Sheol in Job 17:13-16 conflict with later biblical teachings on hope and resurrection? 12. If 'a man reaps what he sows' (Galatians 6:7) is universally true, why do injustices and unmerited suffering persist? 13. Job 37:6-7 suggests God commands the weather to teach humans their frailty; is there historical or scientific proof of this divine lesson? 14. If Job 19:27 implies a personal, bodily resurrection, does this conflict with other Old Testament notions of the afterlife? What Does Job 37:19 Mean Teach us• The plea “Teach us” acknowledges that true wisdom originates with God, not within ourselves (James 1:5; Psalm 25:4–5). • It models the teachable heart commended throughout Scripture—one that invites God to correct, instruct, and guide (Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 2:3). • Elihu, speaking here, implicitly urges every listener to adopt this posture of humility before the Almighty (Job 32:6–8). what we should say to Him • Right speech before God requires divine direction (Ecclesiastes 5:1–2; Matthew 6:9). • Scripture cautions against careless words in prayer or complaint; instead, it calls for reverent, truthful, and faith-filled speech (Psalm 19:14; Hebrews 4:16). • Like Moses (Exodus 4:10–12) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6–9), we depend on God to place the proper words in our mouths. we cannot draw up our case • “Draw up our case” pictures a courtroom: finite humans trying to mount legal arguments before the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25; Romans 3:19). • Job had attempted to present such a case (Job 13:3; 23:3–4), yet Elihu reminds him—and us—that self-defense collapses under divine scrutiny (Psalm 143:2; Isaiah 64:6). • The line underscores our need for an advocate outside ourselves, ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who intercedes for us (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25). because of our darkness • “Darkness” refers to the limits and fallenness of human understanding (Ephesians 4:17–18; 1 Corinthians 13:12). • Sin clouds perception, making us unfit to assess God’s ways unaided (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:21–22). • Only the light of divine revelation dispels this darkness (Psalm 119:105; John 8:12), leading believers to trust rather than accuse. summary Job 37:19 calls believers to humble, teachable hearts, recognizing our inability to speak rightly or argue our case before God apart from His illumination. Confronted with our own darkness, we seek His instruction, rely on His provided Advocate, and submit to the wisdom that only He supplies. (19) Teach us what we shall say unto (or, concerning) him--i.e., the sun. "He is altogether hidden by the clouds; but is he gone? is he not still there behind them?"Verse 19. - Teach us what we shall say unto him. Elihu indulges in irony. If thou art so wise as thou pretendest to be, then he pleased to "teach us." We acknowledge our ignorance - we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Enlighten us, if thou canst.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Teachה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ (hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common plural Strong's 3045: To know us what מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what we should say נֹּ֣אמַר (nō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 559: To utter, say to Him; ל֑וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew we cannot לֹ֥א־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no draw up our case נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ (na·‘ă·rōḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order when our faces מִפְּנֵי־ (mip·pə·nê-) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6440: The face are in darkness. חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ (ḥō·šeḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness Links Job 37:19 NIVJob 37:19 NLT Job 37:19 ESV Job 37:19 NASB Job 37:19 KJV Job 37:19 BibleApps.com Job 37:19 Biblia Paralela Job 37:19 Chinese Bible Job 37:19 French Bible Job 37:19 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 37:19 Teach us what we shall tell him (Jb) |
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