Job 42:5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:5-6

Hearsay and vision. I. HEARSAY IS NOT VISION . Hearsay may be distinguished from vision two ways. 1 . In respect of its nature. Hearsay, as the term signifies in common speech, is information received at second hand, by report, in contrast to that derived from personal observation and experience, which it is usual to describe as seeing. When applied to our knowledge of Divine things* the former may be understood as signifying all that instruction which comes to us from without,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 42:5

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear - Referring to the indistinct views which we have of anything by merely hearing of it, compared with the clear apprehension which is furnished by sight. Job had had such views of God as one may obtain by being told of him; he now had such views as are furnished by the sight. The meaning is, that his views of God before were dark and obscure.But now mine eye seeth thee - We are not to suppose that Job means to say that he actually “saw” God, but... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 42:5

Job 42:5. But now mine eye seeth thee “It is plain,” says Dr. Dodd, “that there is some privilege intended here that Job had never enjoyed before, and which he calls a sight of God. He had heard of him by the hearing of the ear, or the tradition delivered down from his forefathers; but he had now a clear and sensible perception of his being and divine perfections; some light thrown in upon his mind, which carried its own evidence with it; and which to him had all the certainty and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 42:1-6

Job submits to God (42:1-6)Although Job does not have the answer to his problems, he knows now that God does - and God will not fail. God has not given Job any reason for his sufferings, but he has given Job a fuller knowledge of the all-powerful and all-wise God, and this has changed Job’s thinking.Now Job sees that God is above all and in control of all; he is concerned about the smallest detail. Although Job may not understand the reason why God does things, he is assured that God is working... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 42:5

Job 42:5. I have heard of thee, &c.— It is plain that here is same privilege intended, which Job had never enjoyed before, and which he calls a sight of God. He had heard of him by the hearing of the ear, or the tradition delivered down from his forefathers: but he had now a clear and sensible perception of his being and divine perfections: some light thrown in upon the mind, which carried its own evidence with it, and of which, perhaps, we can form no notion; but which to him had all the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 42:5

5. hearing of the ear— ( :-, Margin). Hearing and seeing are often in antithesis (Job 29:11; Psalms 18:8). seeth—not God's face (Exodus 33:20), but His presence in the veil of a dark cloud (Exodus 33:20- :). Job implies also that, besides this literal seeing, he now saw spiritually what he had indistinctly taken on hearsay before God's infinite wisdom. He "now" proves this; he had seen in a literal sense before, at the beginning of God's speech, but he had not seen spiritually till "now" at its... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 42:1-6

4. Job’s second reply to God 42:1-6Job’s words reveal the changes that God’s revelations had produced in him. He was aware as never before that God had all power and all wisdom. This resulted in an attitude of awe and submission (Job 42:2). He saw that it was foolish for him to question God’s actions. God knew what He was doing even though Job did not.By quoting God’s first question back to Him (Job 42:3 a; Job 38:2), Job meant: "You were exactly right in asking, ’Who is this that hides counsel... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 42:1-6

Job’s Final WithdrawalJob at last has learned his lesson. The convincing evidences of wisdom, power, and love which God has offered him, have led him to lay aside his pride of intellect and pride of innocence. He feels that he may safely trust, even though he may never fully understand, and with Abraham he may rest convinced that the Judge of all the earth must do right.The difficulties of Job were the difficulties of the author and of the thoughtful men of his day. ’He had pondered the ethical... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 42:1-17

The Divine Attributes Job 42:2 The meaning is that there is no purpose which the Almighty cannot carry out. I. Though literally the words seem merely an acknowledgment of power they are also an admission of wisdom, the plans or purposes of which may be beyond the understanding of man. II. Job does not, as might have been expected, acknowledge the Divine righteousness. His confession corresponds to the Almighty's address to him. That address did not insist on any one Divine attribute, but... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 42:1-6

1XXVIII.THE RECONCILIATIONJob 38:1 - Job 42:6THE main argument of the address ascribed to the Almighty is contained in chapters 38 and 39 and in the opening verses of chapter 42. Job makes submission and owns his fault in doubting the faithfulness of Divine providence. The intervening passage containing descriptions of the great animals of the Nile is scarcely in the same high strain of poetic art or on the same high level of cogent reasoning. It seems rather of a hyperbolical kind, suggesting... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 42:5-6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 42:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 42:5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 42:1-6

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 42:5

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 42:5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 42:1-6

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 42:1-6

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 42:1-17

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 42:1-6

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