Job 26:4
To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
מִ֭י
H4310
מִ֭י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הִגַּ֣דְתָּ
To whom hast thou uttered
H5046
הִגַּ֣דְתָּ
To whom hast thou uttered
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
מִלִּ֑ין
words
H4405
מִלִּ֑ין
words
Strong's:
H4405
Word #:
4 of 8
a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
וְנִשְׁמַת
and whose spirit
H5397
וְנִשְׁמַת
and whose spirit
Strong's:
H5397
Word #:
5 of 8
a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal
מִ֝י
H4310
מִ֝י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
6 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Job 32:18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.Job 20:3I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.1 Corinthians 12:3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions claimed divine origins—Egyptian wisdom literature attributed teachings to gods, and Mesopotamian sages claimed divine inspiration. Israel's wisdom tradition (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) similarly grounded wisdom in "the fear of the LORD" (Proverbs 9:10). Job's challenge questions whether his friends' words truly reflect divine wisdom or merely human tradition. This distinction between human and divine wisdom appears throughout Scripture, culminating in Christ as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Questions for Reflection
- How can we discern whether our theological conclusions reflect Spirit-guided understanding or merely cultural assumptions?
- What is the relationship between orthodox doctrine and spiritual discernment in pastoral ministry?
- How does Job's question challenge us to examine the source and motivation of our words to the suffering?
Analysis & Commentary
Job challenges his friends with biting irony: "To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?" The interrogative construction demands identification of the source of their wisdom. Job implies their words lack divine inspiration—they speak from human prejudice, not heavenly revelation. The phrase "whose spirit" (ruach-mi, רוּחַ־מִי) asks whether the Holy Spirit truly animates their speech. This anticipates the New Testament teaching that true wisdom comes from above (James 3:17) and that prophecy comes not by human will but by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). From a Reformed perspective, this highlights the distinction between human religious opinion and Spirit-illuminated truth. The friends' theology, though containing elements of truth, lacks the discernment that comes from genuine divine guidance. Job's question reminds us that orthodox words without spiritual insight can become weapons that wound rather than heal.