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Job 37 · a question people ask

"He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart" (37:24). Doesn't God want people to be wise?

In the text

The line is short, and Elihu doesn't explain it. In Hebrew regard is ra'ah, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "see", and wise of heart is chakhmei lev. The Law uses the same two words in "Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded" (Exodus 35:10). Job said of God himself, "God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength" (9:4), where heart is levav, a word Strong's says is "used also like 3820", lev. The first half of Elihu's verse is "Therefore men revere him" (37:24). Elihu doesn't say whom he has in mind, and these notes don't decide what he means.

The verses

“Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.””
Job 37:24 · World English Bible
““‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded:”
Exodus 35:10 · World English Bible
“God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?”
Job 9:4 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 37

Job 37: Stand still, and consider

Elihu names three purposes for what God sends, not one: "whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness" (37:13). And his storm (37:9) isn't the whirlwind of 38:1: the Hebrew has two different words.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions