Job 26

King James Version

Full text for Job Chapter 26

1¶ But Job answered and said,

2How hast thou helped [him that is] without power? [how] savest thou the arm [that hath] no strength?

3How hast thou counselled [him that hath] no wisdom? and [how] hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

4To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

5¶ Dead [things] are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

6Hell [is] naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.

8He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

9He holdeth back the face of his throne, [and] spreadeth his cloud upon it.

10He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

11The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

12He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.

13By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

14Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Job responds to his friends by sarcastically questioning the value of their counsel. He then shifts to a magnificent declaration of God's unparalleled power and wisdom in creation and governance. Job describes God's control over the underworld, the cosmos, and natural elements, asserting that these wonders are but a small glimpse of His incomprehensible might.

Medium Summary

Job begins chapter 26 by challenging the efficacy and wisdom of his friends' advice, implying their words offer no true help to the afflicted or the powerless. He then pivots to a profound declaration of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. Job describes God's dominion over the dead and the depths of hell, which are open before Him. He marvels at God's cosmic power, who stretches the northern sky over emptiness and suspends the earth without support. God binds waters in clouds, sets boundaries for the seas, and His rebuke causes the pillars of heaven to tremble. Job concludes by stating that these are only fragments of God's ways, and the full thunder of His power remains beyond human understanding.

Long Summary

In Job chapter 26, Job first addresses his friends, questioning the supposed help and wisdom they have offered to one without strength or understanding. His words carry a tone of sarcasm, suggesting their counsel has been ineffective and perhaps even misguided. Following this challenge, Job embarks on a powerful and poetic exposition of God's supreme power and wisdom, demonstrating his own profound understanding of the Almighty. He declares that dead things are formed beneath the waters, and hell itself is naked and uncovered before God, signifying His absolute dominion over the underworld. Job then describes God's creative and sustaining power in the cosmos, noting how He stretches the north over empty space and hangs the earth upon nothing. He controls the elements, binding waters in thick clouds without them breaking, and veiling His own throne with a cloud. God has set enduring bounds for the waters, which will remain until the end of day and night. The very pillars of heaven are said to tremble and be astonished at His reproof. Furthermore, God divides the sea with His power and, by His understanding, smites through the proud. His spirit garnishes the heavens, and His hand formed the "crooked serpent," a symbol of cosmic power or chaos. Job concludes this magnificent declaration by humbly stating that these wonders are but small portions of God's vast ways, and the full thunder of His incomprehensible power is beyond any human grasp.

Core Concepts

  • Divine OmnipotenceGod's absolute and unlimited power is demonstrated through His control over creation, the underworld, and cosmic forces, such as dividing the sea and forming the heavens.
  • Cosmic Creation and SustenanceGod's role in forming the universe is highlighted, as He stretches the north over emptiness, hangs the earth upon nothing, and sets enduring boundaries for the waters.
  • God's Unfathomable WisdomThe chapter emphasizes that God's ways and power are beyond human comprehension, with the wonders described being only a small portion of His full might.
  • Dominion Over the UnderworldGod's authority extends over "hell" (Sheol) and the dead, which are fully exposed and uncovered before Him, signifying His complete sovereignty.
  • Control Over Natural ElementsGod's power is evident in His ability to bind waters in thick clouds without them breaking, to divide the sea, and to cause the pillars of heaven to tremble at His rebuke.
  • The Crooked SerpentThis refers to a powerful, possibly chaotic, creature or force that God's hand has formed, symbolizing His ultimate control even over such formidable entities.