Job 37:19
New International Version
“Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.

New Living Translation
“So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.

English Standard Version
Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.

Berean Standard Bible
Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness.

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

New King James Version
“Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.

New American Standard Bible
“Teach us what we are to say to Him; We cannot present our case because of darkness.

NASB 1995
“Teach us what we shall say to Him; We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.

NASB 1977
“Teach us what we shall say to Him; We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Make us know what we shall say to Him; We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.

Amplified Bible
“Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being; We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God].

Christian Standard Bible
Teach us what we should say to him; we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness.

American Standard Version
Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.

Contemporary English Version
Tell us what to say to God! Our minds are in the dark, and we don't know how to argue our case.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Teach us what we should say to him. We are unable to prepare [a case] because of darkness.

Good News Translation
Teach us what to say to God; our minds are blank; we have nothing to say.

International Standard Version
Tell us! What are we to say to him? Can we prepare our case to face him when our faces are in darkness?

Majority Standard Bible
Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness.

NET Bible
Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.

New Heart English Bible
Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.

Webster's Bible Translation
Teach us what we shall say to him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

World English Bible
Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Let us know what we say to Him, "" We do not set in array because of darkness.

Young's Literal Translation
Let us know what we say to Him, We set not in array because of darkness.

Smith's Literal Translation
Make known to us what we shall say to him we shall not set in order from the face of darkness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shew us what we may say to him : for we are wrapped up in darkness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Reveal to us what we should say to him, for, of course, we are wrapped in darkness.

New American Bible
Teach us then what we shall say to him; we cannot, for the darkness, make our plea.

New Revised Standard Version
Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Teach us what we shall say to him, that we may not hide because of the darkness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Teach me what I shall say to him, and we shall not be destroyed from before the darkness
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Teach us what we shall say unto Him; For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Wherefore teach me, what shall we say to him? and let us cease from saying much.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty
18can you, like Him, spread out the skies to reflect the heat like a mirror of bronze? 19Teach us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case when our faces are in darkness. 20Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up?…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.

Romans 11:33-34
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

1 Corinthians 2:11
For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:13-14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

Job 11:7-9
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.

Romans 9:20
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”


Treasury of Scripture

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

Teach

Job 12:3
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

Job 13:3,6
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God…

we

Job 26:14
Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Job 28:20,21
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? …

Job 38:2
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

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Arrange Case Cause Clear Dark Darkness Draw Order Reason Speech Teach Unable Words
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Arrange Case Cause Clear Dark Darkness Draw Order Reason Speech Teach Unable Words
Job 37
1. God is to be feared because of his great works
15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them














Teach us
The phrase "Teach us" reflects a humble request for divine guidance and wisdom. In the Hebrew context, the word for "teach" often implies a deep, instructive process that goes beyond mere information transfer. It suggests a transformation of understanding and character. This plea acknowledges human limitations and the need for God's revelation to comprehend His ways. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of wisdom as a divine gift, not merely human achievement.

what we should say
This phrase underscores the importance of speech and communication with God. In the Hebrew tradition, words hold significant power and responsibility. The request for instruction on "what we should say" indicates a desire to approach God with reverence and correctness. It reflects the biblical principle that our words should align with divine truth and wisdom, as seen throughout the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

to Him
The reference "to Him" clearly points to God, emphasizing the direct relationship and communication between humanity and the divine. In the context of Job, this highlights the struggle to understand and articulate one's position before an omnipotent and omniscient Creator. The personal nature of this address reflects the intimate and covenantal relationship God desires with His people, as seen throughout Scripture.

we cannot draw up our case
This phrase acknowledges human inadequacy in presenting a defense or argument before God. The legal imagery here is significant, as it reflects the ancient practice of presenting one's case in a court setting. The acknowledgment of inability suggests a recognition of God's ultimate authority and justice. It echoes the biblical theme that human wisdom and righteousness are insufficient without divine intervention and grace.

because of our darkness
The term "darkness" symbolizes ignorance, sin, and the limitations of human understanding. In the Hebrew Bible, darkness often contrasts with the light of God's truth and revelation. This phrase admits the inherent blindness and confusion that sin brings to human perception. It serves as a reminder of the need for God's light to illuminate our minds and hearts, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament revelation of Christ as the Light of the World.

(19) Teach us what we shall say unto (or, concerning) him--i.e., the sun. "He is altogether hidden by the clouds; but is he gone? is he not still there behind them?"

Verse 19. - Teach us what we shall say unto him. Elihu indulges in irony. If thou art so wise as thou pretendest to be, then he pleased to "teach us." We acknowledge our ignorance - we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Enlighten us, if thou canst.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Teach
ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ (hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

us what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

we should say
נֹּ֣אמַר (nō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Him;
ל֑וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

we cannot
לֹ֥א־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

draw up our case
נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ (na·‘ă·rōḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

when our faces
מִפְּנֵי־ (mip·pə·nê-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

are in darkness.
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ (ḥō·šeḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness


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OT Poetry: Job 37:19 Teach us what we shall tell him (Jb)
Job 37:18
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