King James Version

What Does Job 37:19 Mean?

Job 37:19 in the King James Version says “Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.” — study this verse from Job chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Job 37:19 · KJV

Context

17

How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

Read Job 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Teach us what we shall say unto him—Elihu acknowledges human inadequacy in addressing God. The phrase we cannot order our speech (לֹא־נַעֲרֹךְ, lo-naarokh) uses עָרַךְ (arakh), meaning to set in order, arrange, or prepare for battle. We cannot marshal arguments before God as warriors array battle lines. Why? By reason of darkness (מִפְּנֵי־חֹשֶׁךְ, miphnei-choshekh)—not moral darkness but intellectual darkness, the limitation of human understanding.

This confession anticipates Job's final response: 'I have uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not' (Job 42:3). Paul similarly writes, 'Now we see through a glass, darkly' (1 Corinthians 13:12). The 'darkness' isn't ignorance due to sin but creaturely limitation. Even regenerate minds cannot fully comprehend God's eternal purposes. Elihu's humility contrasts with Job's earlier demands for explanation (Job 13:22, 23:3-7). True wisdom acknowledges the epistemological gap between Creator and creature.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient legal settings, litigants carefully ordered speeches to present their case. Elihu admits that before God, no human can properly arrange arguments—not due to lack of skill but because divine wisdom infinitely surpasses human comprehension. This contrasts with Greek philosophy's confidence in human reason. Hebraic wisdom began with fearing God (Proverbs 1:7), recognizing human limitation.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you experienced the 'darkness' of not being able to understand God's purposes, and how did you respond?
  2. How should recognizing our intellectual limitations before God affect how we pray and make requests?
  3. Does admitting 'darkness' mean abandoning reason, or recognizing reason's proper limits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ1 of 8

“Teach”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַה2 of 8
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נֹּ֣אמַר3 of 8

“us what we shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֑וֹ4 of 8
H0
לֹ֥א5 of 8
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ6 of 8

“unto him for we cannot order”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

מִפְּנֵי7 of 8

“our speech by reason”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃8 of 8

“of darkness”

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 37:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 37:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 28:20-21Job 42:3Psalms 73:16-17Job 12:3Psalms 139:6Job 13:3

Test Your Knowledge

Job 37 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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