Job 22:13
And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יָּ֣דַֽע
know
H3045
יָּ֣דַֽע
know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֵ֑ל
How doth God
H410
אֵ֑ל
How doth God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 7
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הַבְעַ֖ד
H1157
הַבְעַ֖ד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
5 of 7
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
Cross References
Ezekiel 8:12Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.Psalms 10:11He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.Psalms 73:11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?Isaiah 29:15Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?Psalms 59:7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?Ezekiel 9:9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.Psalms 64:5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
Historical Context
The question 'How doth God know?' appears in skeptical wisdom literature and psalms of the wicked. Ancient Israelite theology insisted on God's omniscience and justice (Psalm 139). Eliphaz weaponizes orthodox theology against Job by falsely associating him with the wicked man's worldview.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Eliphaz's false accusation illustrate the danger of attributing motives to suffering people without evidence?
- What is the difference between questioning God (as Job does honestly) and denying God's knowledge (as Eliphaz accuses)?
- How can orthodox theology become a weapon when used to judge rather than comfort the afflicted?
Analysis & Commentary
And thou sayest, How doth God know? (וְאָמַרְתָּ מַה־יָּדַע אֵל)—Eliphaz now accuses Job of practical atheism, claiming Job believes God is ignorant of human affairs. The verb yada (to know) implies intimate awareness and covenant relationship. Eliphaz falsely attributes to Job the wicked man's philosophy from Psalm 73:11, 94:7.
Can he judge through the dark cloud? (הַבְעַד עֲרָפֶל יִשְׁפּוֹט)—Araphel (dark cloud/thick darkness) is the same word used for God's presence at Sinai (Exodus 20:21, Deuteronomy 4:11). Eliphaz twists this: Job supposedly thinks God's transcendence means distance and indifference. In reality, Job desperately wants God to judge his case (13:3, 23:3-7)—the opposite of what Eliphaz claims.