Job 37:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu wonders whether God should even be told that he speaks, for a man who challenges Him would be overwhelmed.
What Does Job 37:20 Mean?
Elihu continues his confession of human smallness before God. Should it even be reported to God that a man wishes to speak against Him? If anyone presumes to contend with the Almighty, surely he would be swallowed up, undone by the encounter. The thought of challenging God fills Elihu with holy dread.
There is wisdom in this fear. To approach the Maker as an equal, demanding to argue our case, is to court ruin, for no creature can stand against his Creator in a contest of words. Yet the gospel hope is that we need not be swallowed up, for God Himself makes a way to draw near in reverence rather than rebellion. The believer comes not to argue but to bow, and finds that the God whose majesty would overwhelm the proud welcomes the humble.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 37:20
What does Job 37:20 mean?
Elihu wonders whether God should even be told that he speaks, for a man who challenges Him would be overwhelmed.