Job 9:4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֑חַ
in strength
H3581
כֹּ֑חַ
in strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
4 of 8
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 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 36:5Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.Ephesians 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Job 9:19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?Proverbs 29:1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.Ephesians 3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions often portrayed divine power as capricious. Job's monotheism insists God's power is matched by wisdom—He doesn't act arbitrarily. However, this compounds Job's problem: if God is wise, why does He treat the righteous like the wicked? The book wrestles with theodicy within monotheistic framework.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain confidence in God's goodness when His power seems directed against us?
- What does Job's question teach about the relationship between divine sovereignty and justice?
- In what ways does the cross demonstrate that God's power and wisdom serve redemptive rather than arbitrary purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
Job acknowledges God's wisdom and power: 'He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?' The phrase 'wise in heart' (chakam lebab, חֲכַם לֵבָב) attributes comprehensive understanding to God. 'Mighty in strength' (ammis koach, אַמִּיץ כֹּחַ) denotes irresistible power. The rhetorical question expects negative answer—none who hardens himself (qashah, קָשָׁה) against God prospers (shalom, שָׁלֵם, finds peace or success).
Job's affirmation of divine attributes doesn't comfort but terrifies—if God is all-wise and all-powerful, how can Job vindicate himself? The same attributes that should reassure instead threaten. This illustrates how suffering can invert our theological perception: God's sovereignty becomes frightening rather than comforting when we experience Him as adversary rather than ally. Job's friends assume God's power ensures justice; Job questions whether justice is possible when power is so asymmetrical.
The Reformed emphasis on God's sovereignty faces this same tension: if God ordains all things, how can we be confident He ordains them justly? The answer comes through Christ—God's power and wisdom ultimately manifest in the cross (1 Corinthians 1:23-24), where divine justice and mercy meet. Job lacks this revelation, making his faith all the more remarkable.