Job 37 · Verse 19

Job 37:19

Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
Job 37:19, King James Version

Job 37:19 in other translations

BSBTeach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness.
WEBTeach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
ASVTeach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.
YLTLet us know what we say to Him, We set not in array because of darkness.
DARBYTeach us what we shall say unto him! We cannot order our words by reason of darkness.
BBEMake clear to me what we are to say to him; we are unable to put our cause before him, because of the dark.
WebsterTeach us what we shall say to him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

What does Job 37:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. Men cannot explain God's wonders; we ought, therefore, to be dumb and not contend with God. If Job thinks we ought, "let him teach us, what we shall say." order--frame. darkness--of mind; ignorance. "The eyes are bewilderingly blinded, when turned in bold controversy with God towards the sunny heavens" (Job 37:18) [Umbreit].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him? - Thou pretendest to be so very wise, and to know every thing about God, pray make us as wise as thyself, that we may be able to approach with thy boldness the Sovereign of the world; and maintain our cause with thy confidence before him. As for our parts, we are ignorant; and, on all these subjects, are enveloped with darkness. Mr. Good translates: - "Teach us how we may address him, When arrayed in robes of darkness." It is a strong and biting irony, however we take it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 37:14-20

Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, So 4:16. The best of men are much in the dark concerning the glorious perfections of the Divine nature and the Divine government. Those who, through grace, know much of God…

Read the full comment on Job 37:14-20 →

Job 37:19 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּHo.di.'e.numake known to usH3045
מַה\־mah-what?H4100
נֹּ֣אמַרNo.marwill we sayH559
ל֑וֹloto him
לֹ֥א\־Lo'-notH3808
נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְna.'a.Rokhwe will set in orderH6186
מִפְּנֵי\־mi.pe.nei-<from> because ofH6440
חֹֽשֶׁךְ\׃Cho.shekhdarknessH2822

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 37:19

  • Psalms 73:16-17

    When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

  • Proverbs 30:2-4

    Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

  • Job 13:6

    Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

  • Job 38:2

    Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

  • 1 Corinthians 13:12

    For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

  • Job 13:3

    Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

  • Job 28:20-21

    Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

  • 1 John 3:2

    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

  • Job 12:3

    But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

  • Psalms 139:6

    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

  • Job 42:3

    Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

  • Job 26:14

    Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Teach.
12:3; 13:3,6
we.
26:14; 28:20,21; 38:2; 42:3; Ps 73:16,17,22; 139:6; Pr 30:2-4
1Co 13:12; 1Jo 3:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 37:18

    Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

  • Job 37:19

    Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

  • Job 37:20

    Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

Read all of Job 37

Job 37:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Muéstranos qué le hemos de decir; porque nosotros no podemos componer las ideas á causa de las tinieblas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Fais-nous savoir ce que nous lui dirons! Nous ne savons préparer des paroles, à cause de nos ténèbres.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Tue uns kund, was wir ihm sagen sollen! Wir können vor Finsternis nichts vorbringen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ostende nobis quid dicamus illi: nos quippe involvimur tenebris.