Job 5:9
Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
Original Language Analysis
עֹשֶׂ֣ה
Which doeth
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֣ה
Which doeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 8
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
גְ֭דֹלוֹת
great things
H1419
גְ֭דֹלוֹת
great things
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
2 of 8
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֵ֥ין
and unsearchable
H369
אֵ֥ין
and unsearchable
Strong's:
H369
Word #:
3 of 8
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת
marvellous things
H6381
נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת
marvellous things
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Psalms 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.Job 9:10Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.Psalms 72:18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.Psalms 86:10For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.Job 37:5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.Psalms 139:18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.Job 42:3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
Historical Context
Hymnic praise of divine incomprehensibility appears throughout ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. Eliphaz's doxology follows conventional patterns but applies the truth wrongly.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the doctrine of God's incomprehensibility affect how you counsel suffering people?
- In what ways should God's unsearchable wisdom make us hesitant to explain others' trials definitively?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz praises God: 'Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number.' The Hebrew 'gadol' (great), 'ein cheqer' (unsearchable—no investigation), and 'pele' (marvellous/wonderful) acknowledge God's incomprehensible wisdom. This is true theology—God's ways transcend human understanding (Romans 11:33). Ironically, Eliphaz uses this truth to support false conclusions. The fact that God's ways are unsearchable should humble us from dogmatic pronouncements about others' suffering, not embolden them.