Job 37:19

19 “Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.

Job 37:19 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 “So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
The Message Bible (MSG)
19 "If you're so smart, give us a lesson in how to address God. We're in the dark and can't figure it out.
American Standard Version (ASV)
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; [For] we cannot set [our speech] in order by reason of darkness.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
19 Teach us what we should say to him. We are unable to prepare [a case] because of darkness.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
19 Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot prepare [our case] because of our darkness.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
19 "Job, tell us what we should say to God. We can't prepare our case because our minds are dark.

Job 37:19 Meaning and Commentary

Job 37:19

Teach us what we shall say unto him
To this wonder working God, of whose common works of nature we know so little; how we should reason with him about his works of Providence, when we know so little of these:

[for] we cannot order [our speech] by reason of darkness;
by reason of darkness in themselves, which is in all men naturally, and even in the saints in this state of imperfection; and by reason of the clouds and darkness which are about the Lord himself, who is incomprehensible in his nature and perfections; and by reason of the darkness cast about his providential dealings with men, so that they are unsearchable and past finding out; and the best of men are at a loss how to order their speech, or discourse with God concerning these things.

Job 37:19 In-Context

17 You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 “Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.

Cross References 3

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