Job 9:5
Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
Original Language Analysis
הַמַּעְתִּ֣יק
Which removeth
H6275
הַמַּעְתִּ֣יק
Which removeth
Strong's:
H6275
Word #:
1 of 7
to remove (intransitive or transitive) figuratively, to grow old; specifically, to transcribe
הָ֭רִים
the mountains
H2022
הָ֭רִים
the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 7
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֑עוּ
and they know
H3045
יָדָ֑עוּ
and they know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 7
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Matthew 27:51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;Luke 21:11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.Revelation 11:13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.Habakkuk 3:10The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.Revelation 6:14And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.Matthew 21:21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Historical Context
Palestinian geography featured mountains as dominant topographical feature—Mount Hermon, mountains of Ephraim, hill country of Judea. Earthquakes occasionally devastated the region (Amos 1:1, Zechariah 14:5). Job uses natural catastrophe as metaphor for God's sovereign power that none can resist.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that what seems permanent to us (mountains) is temporary to God reshape our priorities?
- What does God's effortless power over creation teach about our inability to resist or escape His will?
- In what ways should awareness of divine omnipotence both terrify (in judgment) and comfort (in salvation)?
Analysis & Commentary
Job describes God's sovereign power over creation: 'Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.' The verb 'removeth' (ataq, עָתַק) means to move, proceed, or advance. Mountains—symbols of permanence and stability (Psalm 125:1-2)—yield to God's power without even knowing it happened. The phrase 'they know not' emphasizes divine sovereignty's effortless exercise. God 'overturneth' (haphak, הָפַךְ) them in His anger (aph, אַף), recalling earthquake imagery.
Job's description serves his argument: if God can overturn mountains unknowingly, what chance does Job have to defend himself? The same power that maintains creation can unmake it. This isn't praise but lament—God's omnipotence makes contending with Him impossible. Job moves toward the legal metaphor that will dominate chapters 9-10: he cannot take God to court because the defendant is also judge, jury, and executioner.
The imagery anticipates eschatological judgment when mountains flee from God's presence (Revelation 6:14-16, 16:20). What seems permanent to us—mountains, social structures, our own lives—exists only by divine permission. This should humble us (we are nothing) while assuring us (God who sustains all can sustain us through any trial).