Job 25:2
Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.
Original Language Analysis
וָפַ֣חַד
and fear
H6343
וָפַ֣חַד
and fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
2 of 6
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
עִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 6
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
are with him he maketh
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
are with him he maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 6
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cosmology conceived of divine councils where gods maintained cosmic order. Bildad's reference to God making peace 'in his high places' reflects this widespread worldview, adapted to monotheistic Israelite faith. The book of Job frequently engages these cosmological concepts (see Job 1:6-12, 38:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How can accurate theology be pastorally harmful when divorced from compassion?
- In what ways do you emphasize God's transcendence at the expense of His immanence, or vice versa?
- How does Job's dialogue warn against using doctrinal correctness as a bludgeon?
Analysis & Commentary
Dominion and fear are with him (מֶמְשָׁלָה וָפַחַד עִמּוֹ)—Bildad emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty (מֶמְשָׁלָה, memshalah) and the terror (פַחַד, pachad) He inspires. While theologically true, Bildad wields these truths as weapons rather than comfort. He maketh peace in his high places (עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו)—The participle emphasizes God's continual cosmic ordering. The meromav ('high places') refers to the heavenly realm where God governs angelic hosts.
Ironically, Bildad describes divine transcendence to silence Job's complaints, yet Job craves precisely this sovereign God's personal attention (Job 23:3-5). The theology is orthodox but pastorally bankrupt—accurate doctrine deployed without love becomes a 'noisy gong' (1 Corinthians 13:1). Bildad's God is distant sovereign, not covenant Father.