Job 36:26
Job 36:26 in Multiple Translations
Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.
Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.
Truly, God is great, greater than all our knowledge; the number of his years may not be searched out.
See how great God is—more than we can understand! No one can count his years.
Beholde, God is excellent, and we knowe him not, neither can the nomber of his yeres bee searched out.
Lo, God [is] high, And we know not the number of His years, Yea, there [is] no searching.
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is inestimable.
“Hey, God is very great, and we are not able to know how great he is, and we do not know how old he is.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 36:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 36:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֶן
אֵ֣ל
שַׂ֭גִּיא
וְ/לֹ֣א
נֵדָ֑ע
מִסְפַּ֖ר
שָׁנָ֣י/ו
וְ/לֹא
חֵֽקֶר
הֶן
hên
H2005
look!
Part
אֵ֣ל
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
שַׂ֭גִּיא
saggîyʼ
H7689
great
Adj
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
נֵדָ֑ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
מִסְפַּ֖ר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
שָׁנָ֣י/ו
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fp | Suff
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
חֵֽקֶר
chêqer
H2714
search
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 36:26
הֶן
hên
H2005
"look!"
Part
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
אֵ֣ל
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
שַׂ֭גִּיא
saggîyʼ
H7689
"great"
Adj
This Hebrew word means great or mighty, often used to describe God's power. It appears in the Bible to emphasize God's excellence. In the KJV, it's translated as excellent or great.
Definition: great (of God) Aramaic equivalent: sag.gi (שַׂגִּיא "greatly" H7690)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: excellent, great. See also: Job 36:26; Job 37:23.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נֵדָ֑ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מִסְפַּ֖ר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
שָׁנָ֣י/ו
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fp | Suff
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
חֵֽקֶר
chêqer
H2714
"search"
N-ms
This word refers to a search or investigation, like trying to find something out. It is used in the Bible to describe examining or inquiring about something, and is often translated as search or finding out.
Definition: a search, investigation, searching, enquiry, thing to be searched out
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: finding out, number, (un-) search(-able, -ed, out, -ing). See also: Judges 5:16; Job 36:26; Psalms 145:3.
Study Notes — Job 36:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 36:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 36:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 36:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 36:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 36:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 36:26
- Cambridge Bible on Job 36:26
- Barnes' Notes on Job 36:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 36:26
- Sermons on Job 36:26
Context — Elihu Describes God’s Power
24Remember to magnify His work, which men have praised in song.
25All mankind has seen it; men behold it from afar.
26Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.
27For He draws up drops of water which distill the rain from the mist, 28which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 90:2 | Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. |
| 2 | Psalms 145:3 | Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Job 37:5 | God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 8:27 | But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. |
| 6 | Job 37:23 | The Almighty is beyond our reach; He is exalted in power! In His justice and great righteousness He does not oppress. |
| 7 | 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. |
| 8 | Job 26:14 | Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” |
| 9 | Psalms 102:24–27 | I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations. In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. |
| 10 | Hebrews 1:12 | You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” |
Job 36:26 Summary
This verse tells us that God is incredibly great, and we can't even begin to understand how great He is. It's like trying to count the number of stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the beach - it's just not possible. As it says in Psalm 139:6, 'Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.' This reminds us to be humble and have reverence for God, who is beyond our comprehension, yet still loves and cares for us deeply, as seen in Jeremiah 31:3, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God is great beyond our knowledge?
This phrase emphasizes God's infinite wisdom and power, which surpasses human understanding, as also seen in Romans 11:33, where it says, 'Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!'
Is God's greatness something we can fully comprehend?
No, according to Job 36:26, God's greatness is beyond our knowledge, and His years are unsearchable, highlighting the mystery and majesty of His nature, similar to what is expressed in Psalm 145:3, 'Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.'
How does the concept of God's unsearchable years relate to His eternal nature?
The idea that God's years are unsearchable points to His eternal existence, as stated in Psalm 90:2, 'Before the mountains were born, or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.'
What does this verse teach us about our relationship with God?
This verse reminds us of the vast difference between God's knowledge and power and our own, encouraging humility and reverence in our relationship with Him, as encouraged in 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.'
Reflection Questions
- How does the realization of God's greatness beyond our knowledge affect my daily life and decisions?
- In what ways can I acknowledge and honor God's infinite wisdom and power in my prayers and worship?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender my limited understanding and trust in God's unsearchable wisdom?
- How can I balance the mystery of God's nature with the intimacy and personal relationship He offers through Jesus Christ?
Gill's Exposition on Job 36:26
Behold, God [is] great,.... In his power and might, in his wisdom and knowledge, in his truth and faithfulness, in his love, grace, and mercy, and that to admiration; and it is worthy of notice and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 36:26
Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. God's greatness in heaven and earth: a reason why Job should bow under His afflicting hand.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 36:26
God is great; infinite in majesty, and power, and wisdom, and all perfections, and therefore just in all his ways. We know him not, to wit, perfectly. Though we see something of him in his works, as was now said, yet we see and know but little of him in comparison of that which is in him. He is incomprehensibly great in his essence and in his works, and therefore be not so rash, O Job, as to censure those ways of God which thou canst not fully understand. He is from everlasting to everlasting, eternal, as in his being, so in all his counsels; which therefore must be infinitely wise, and above the comprehension of short-lived men.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 36:26
Job 36:26 Behold, God [is] great, and we know [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.Ver. 26. Behold, God is great] Yea, he is maximus in minimis, greatest and most of all seen in the meanest creatures; as in ants more than in elephants, &c. God showeth in his works of all sorts, se aliquantum esse; sed quantus sit rursus operibus involvit; that he is very great, but how great he is that appears not (Brent.). Neither can the number of his years be searched out] How should they say, when as his countenance is beyond all count, Psalms 102:24; Psalms 102:27. Years are here ascribed unto him, and he is elsewhere called "Ancient of days," Daniel 7:9, and the hairs of his head are said to be white like snow, Revelation 1:14; but all this is spoken of God after the manner of men; and should teach us, neither curiously to inquire into his counsels, nor discontentedly to complain of his doings.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 36:26
Verse 26. God is great] He is omnipotent. We know him not] He is unsearchable. Neither can the number of his years be searched out.] He is eternal. These three propositions are an ample foundation for endless disquisition. As to paraphrase and comment, they need none in this place; they are too profound, comprehensive, and sublime.
Cambridge Bible on Job 36:26
Chap. Job 36:26-33. The greatness and unsearchableness of God, seen in His marvellous operations in the skies; and exhortation to Job to allow these wonders duly to impress him, and to bow beneath the greatness of God, who surpasses all comprehension The passage has two sections: First, ch. Job 36:26 to Job 37:13, the incomprehensible greatness of God, seen in the phenomena of the atmosphere: in the formation of the rain-drops (ch. Job 36:26-28); in the thunder-storm (ch. Job 36:29 to Job 37:5); in snow and ice, which seals up the hand of man and makes him powerless before the mighty power of God (Job 36:6-10); in His lading the cloud with moisture, and guiding it to the fulfilment of His varied behests upon the whole earth (Job 36:11-13). Second, ch. Job 37:14-21, Elihu exhorts Job to consider these marvels of Him which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working, and to let them duly impress him; bidding him behold the wonderful balancing of the summer cloud in the heavens, when the earth is still with the south wind (Job 36:14-17), and the burnished sky is stretched out like a molten mirror (Job 36:18). With what words shall man come before the Omnipotent to contend with Him! Man, who is dazzled by the light of the sky, how should he behold the terrible glory around God!
Therefore all men do fear Him; and He hath not respect to those that are wise in their own understanding (Job 36:19-21). Ch. Job 36:26 to Job 37:13, The greatness of God and the wonderfulness of His operations in the phenomena of the atmosphere.
Barnes' Notes on Job 36:26
Behold, God is great, and we know him not - That is, we cannot fully comprehend him; see the notes at Job 11:7-9. Neither can the number of his years be searched out - That is, he is eternal.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 36:26
Strophe b — The infinitely exalted and eternal God displays his beneficence in the subtle elaboration of rain, a work which blends together wisdom and power, providence and love, and which can be
Sermons on Job 36:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Attributes of God - Part 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the greatness of God and His ability to behold and count the things in heaven and on earth. The preacher references Psalm 113:6, which state |
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Job #3: The Spirit's Interpretation by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the journey of Job in the book of Job, specifically focusing on chapters 29 to 31. The speaker highlights how Job's life was initially filled |
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Distress of Job - Part 2 by W.F. Anderson | The video is a sermon on the book of Job in the Bible. It begins by describing the structure of the book, with a prologue and three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends. |
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The Greatness of God by Joy Dawson | Joy Dawson emphasizes the greatness of God, sharing her personal experiences that affirm God's supremacy over all aspects of life, including our understanding, problems, and even o |
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Showers and Sunshine by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the promise of showers of blessings from God, emphasizing that even in seasons of drought or darkness, God will send various blessings to His peopl |
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Evening Thoughts - April by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow reflects on the nature of God and the believer's relationship with Him, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's spiritual essence in prayer. He encourage |
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(John - Part 2): In the Beginning Was the Word by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging the difficulty of preaching on the phrase "in the beginning." He compares it to the impossible task of lifting oneself up on a |