Job 42:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Job repeats God's own question back and admits he spoke of things beyond his understanding.
What Does Job 42:3 Mean?
Job quotes the Lord's opening rebuke ("Who is this that darkeneth counsel?") and turns it upon himself. In the heat of his suffering he had spoken boldly about God's governance of the world. Now, having glimpsed the vastness of that governance, he sees how small his vantage point really was.
His confession is not that he sinned in grief, but that he reached past the limits of a creature. The works of God are "too wonderful" for him, just as Psalm 139 marvels that such knowledge is too high to attain. There is freedom in this admission. We were never meant to comprehend all of God's ways; we were meant to trust the God whose ways they are.
Job 42:3 in the Original Language
pala (פָּלָא), 'wonderful' -- that which is extraordinary, surpassing human ability to grasp.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 42:3
What does Job 42:3 mean?
Job repeats God's own question back and admits he spoke of things beyond his understanding.