Job 9:12
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 9
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ
who can hinder
H7725
יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ
who can hinder
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 9
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 9
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Isaiah 45:9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?Job 11:10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?Job 23:13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.Job 34:29When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:Romans 11:34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?Job 33:13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.Jeremiah 18:6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.Matthew 20:15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings exercised absolute power within their domains—'Who can say to the king, What doest thou?' was rhetorical question asserting royal sovereignty. Job applies this to God's cosmic sovereignty, recognizing divine kingship that far exceeds human monarchs' limited power.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile God's sovereign right to act without our approval with our legitimate questions about His purposes?
- What does Job's acknowledgment of divine sovereignty teach about the proper bounds of questioning God?
- In what ways does the gospel reveal that God's sovereign 'taking away' ultimately serves redemptive purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
Job acknowledges divine sovereignty: 'Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?' The verb 'taketh away' (chathaph, חָתַף) means to seize or snatch away violently. 'Hinder' (shub, שׁוּב) means to turn back or restrain. Job declares God's absolute sovereignty—none can resist His will or demand accountability. The rhetorical questions expect negative answers: no one can hinder God or question His actions.
Job's confession mirrors Romans 9:20: 'who art thou that repliest against God?' Yet the contexts differ: Paul celebrates sovereign grace in salvation, while Job wrestles with sovereign power in affliction. Same doctrine, different pastoral application. Job correctly identifies divine sovereignty but lacks the fuller revelation of how God exercises it redemptively. He sees God's power to take away but not yet the full picture of God's purpose in doing so.
The Reformed tradition highly values divine sovereignty—God's absolute control over all things. But this doctrine must be held alongside divine goodness and wisdom. God's right to act without human approval doesn't mean He acts arbitrarily. His purposes, though inscrutable to Job, are redemptive and wise. Job will learn that 'What doest thou?' isn't rebellion when asked in faith, but presumption when demanded in unbelief.