Job 40:10
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
Original Language Analysis
עֲדֵ֥ה
Deck
H5710
עֲדֵ֥ה
Deck
Strong's:
H5710
Word #:
1 of 7
to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 7
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וְה֖וֹד
thyself with glory
H1935
וְה֖וֹד
thyself with glory
Strong's:
H1935
Word #:
5 of 7
grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)
Cross References
Psalms 93:1The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.Psalms 149:4For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.Isaiah 59:17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Historical Context
Ancient kings clothed themselves in magnificent garments symbolizing authority and glory. Yet even royal splendor paled before divine majesty. God's challenge reminded Job (and readers) that no human can assume divine prerogatives. This would humble pretensions to question God's governance.
Questions for Reflection
- What divine attributes do you wish you had, forgetting that only God can possess them?
- How does accepting your creaturely limitations paradoxically free you from anxiety?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty." God sarcastically challenges Job to clothe himself with divine attributes. The Hebrew verbs—adeh (עֲדֵה, "adorn yourself") with gaon (גָּאוֹן, "majesty/pride") and hod (הוֹד, "splendor/majesty")—describe royal or divine glory. This exposes human inability to assume God's role. We cannot fabricate the attributes necessary for righteous governance. The verse teaches that recognizing what we lack should produce humility, not resentment.