Job 37:20
New International Version
Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?

New Living Translation
Should God be notified that I want to speak? Can people even speak when they are confused?

English Standard Version
Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up?

Berean Standard Bible
Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up?

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

New King James Version
Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.

New American Standard Bible
“Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?

NASB 1995
“Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?

NASB 1977
“Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?

Legacy Standard Bible
Shall it be recounted to Him that I would speak? If a man says a word, will He indeed be swallowed up?

Amplified Bible
“So shall it be told Him that I wish to speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up [and destroyed by God]?

Christian Standard Bible
Should he be told that I want to speak? Can a man speak when he is confused?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Should He be told that I want to speak? Can a man speak when he is confused?

American Standard Version
Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

Contemporary English Version
Should I risk my life by telling God that I want to speak?

English Revised Version
Shall it be told him that I would speak? or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Should he be told that I want to speak? Can a person speak when he is confused?

Good News Translation
I won't ask to speak with God; why should I give him a chance to destroy me?

International Standard Version
Has it been relayed to God that I want to talk? Can a person speak when he is confused?"

Majority Standard Bible
Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up?

NET Bible
Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!

New Heart English Bible
Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

Webster's Bible Translation
Shall it be told him that I speak? If a man shall speak, surely he will be swallowed up.

World English Bible
Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Is it declared to Him that I speak? If a man has spoken, surely he is swallowed up.

Young's Literal Translation
Is it declared to Him that I speak? If a man hath spoken, surely he is swallowed up.

Smith's Literal Translation
Shall it be recounted to him that I shall speak? If a man spake, then shall he be swallowed down.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who shall tell him the things I speak? even if a man shall speak, he shall be swallowed up.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Who will explain to him the things that I am saying? Even while a man is still speaking, he will be devoured.

New American Bible
Will he be told about it when I speak? Can anyone talk when he is being destroyed?

New Revised Standard Version
Should he be told that I want to speak? Did anyone ever wish to be swallowed up?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Relate to him that which he has said; and if a man speaks, surely he shall be consumed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall tell him what I shall say, and if a man will speak, he would be swallowed up
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Have I a book or a scribe my me, that I may stand and put man to silence?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty
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? 21Now no one can gaze at the sun when it is bright in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.…

Cross References
Job 9:3
If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.

Job 15:14-16
What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? / If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes, / how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

Job 33:12-13
Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. / Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

Job 40:4-5
“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. / I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”

Job 42:3
You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Psalm 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.

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

Psalm 139:17-18
How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! / If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.

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?

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.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

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.

1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Shall it

Psalm 139:4
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Matthew 12:36,37
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment…

surely

Job 6:3
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

Job 11:7,8
Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? …

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Job 37
1. God is to be feared because of his great works
15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them














Should He be told
This phrase suggests the audacity of informing God of our intentions or desires. In the Hebrew context, the word "told" (נַגֵּ֣ד, nagged) implies declaring or making known. It reflects the human tendency to assume that God needs to be informed of our thoughts or plans, which contrasts with His omniscience. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine beings as needing to be appeased or informed, yet the God of Israel is portrayed as all-knowing and sovereign.

that I want to speak?
The desire to speak before God highlights the human inclination to justify oneself or seek answers. The Hebrew root for "speak" (דָּבַר, dabar) encompasses not just verbal communication but also the act of reasoning or arguing a case. In the context of Job, this reflects Job's struggle to understand his suffering and his desire to present his case before God. It underscores the tension between human limitation and divine wisdom, reminding believers of the importance of humility and trust in God's greater plan.

Would a man ask
This rhetorical question emphasizes the absurdity of a human presuming to question or challenge God. The Hebrew word for "ask" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) can also mean to inquire or demand. It suggests a posture of humility versus arrogance. In the broader scriptural context, it serves as a reminder of the proper relationship between humanity and the Creator, where reverence and submission are paramount.

to be swallowed up?
The imagery of being "swallowed up" (בִּלַּֽע, bala) conveys the idea of being overwhelmed or destroyed. In ancient literature, this often depicted the fate of those who defied divine authority. Here, it serves as a warning against the presumption of challenging God, as such actions could lead to one's downfall. Theologically, it reflects the belief in God's ultimate justice and the futility of human pride. This phrase encourages believers to approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing His power and our dependence on His mercy.

(20) Be swallowed up.--The sense will vary, according as we understand this of God or of the sun. In the first case, it is a simple expression of awe at God's majesty: "Shall it be told Him that I would speak? If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up;" but unquestionably the sense is clearer if we understand it of the sun: "Shall it be told of him? Shall I, indeed, speak it? or hath any man ever ventured to say, in such a case, that the sun is swallowed up, extinguished?"

Verse 20. - Shall it be told him that I speak? rather, that I would speak (comp. Job 31:35). Job had expressed the wish that God would "hear him, and answer him." Elihu, intending to rebuke this presumption, yet shrinking from doing so directly, puts himself in Job's place, and asks, "Would it be fitting that I should demand to speak with God?" If not, it cannot be fitting that Job should do so. If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. This is probably the true meaning, though another has been suggested by some commentators, who prefer to render, "Or should a man wish that he were destroyed?" (So Ewald, Dillmann, Canon Cook, and our Revisers.) If we adopt this rendering, we must understand Elihu as appending to his first rebuke a second, levelled against Job's desire to have his life ended.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Should He be told
הַֽיְסֻפַּר־ (hay·sup·par-)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I want to speak?
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר (’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

Would a man
אִ֝֗ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

ask
אָ֥מַר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to be swallowed up?
יְבֻלָּֽע׃ (yə·ḇul·lā‘)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1104: To swallow down, swallow up, engulf


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OT Poetry: Job 37:20 Shall it be told him that (Jb)
Job 37:19
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