7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is as high [1] as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? 11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? 12 For vain [2] man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens above-what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below-what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 "If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him? 11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? 12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born human.
7 "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? 8 It is higher than heaven
7 "Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? Do you think you can diagram God Almighty? 8 God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend, 9 Stretching farther than earth's horizons, far wider than the endless ocean. 10 If he happens along, throws you in jail then hauls you into court, can you do anything about it? 11 He sees through vain pretensions, spots evil a long way off - no one pulls the wool over his eyes! 12 Hollow men, hollow women, will wise up about the same time mules learn to talk. Reach Out to God
7 "Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. 10 "If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him? 11 For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? 12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey's colt is born a man.
7 "Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? 8 Such knowledge is higher than the heavens- and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld - what do you know? 9 It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? 11 For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. 12 An empty-headed person won't become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 11:7-12
Commentary on Job 11:7-12
(Read Job 11:7-12)
Zophar speaks well concerning God and his greatness and glory, concerning man and his vanity and folly. See here what man is; and let him be humbled. God sees this concerning vain man, that he would be wise, would be thought so, though he is born like a wild ass's colt, so unteachable and untameable. Man is a vain creature; empty, so the word is. Yet he is a proud creature, and self-conceited. He would be wise, would be thought so, though he will not submit to the laws of wisdom. He would be wise, he reaches after forbidden wisdom, and, like his first parents, aiming to be wise above what is written, loses the tree of life for the tree of knowledge. Is such a creature as this fit to contend with God?