Job 42:2

2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Job 42:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
ESV
2 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
NLT
2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
MSG
2 "I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
CSB
2 I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Job 42:2 Meaning and Commentary

Job 42:2

I know that thou canst do every [thing]
As the works of creation, and the sustentation of them, show; so the Targum,

``thou sustainest all things,''

and can manage, every creature made by him, even such as were not tractable by men, such as behemoth and leviathan, the creatures last instanced in; and was able to abase and bring low the proud, which Job could not do; and could also save him by his right hand, and bring him out of his low estate in which he was, and raise him to great prosperity again, which Job always despaired of till now; and though he had a theoretical knowledge of the omnipotence of God before, see ( Job 9:4-10 ) ; yet not a practical experimental knowledge of it; at least not to such a degree as he now had, working upon his heart, bowing his will, and bringing him to a resignation to the will of God; he not only knew he could do all things, but that he had a right to do what he pleased; and that whatever he did he did well and wisely, and in a righteous manner, of which before he seemed to have some doubt. And that no thought can be withholden from thee; either no thought of men, good or bad, of God or of themselves, and so is an acknowledgment of the omniscience of God, and may be an appeal to that; that God, who knows the secrets of men's hearts, knew what thoughts Job now had of God; of the wisdom, righteousness, and goodness of God in the dispensations of his providence, different from what he had before; see ( John 21:17 ) ; or rather it may be understood of every thought of God's heart, of every secret purpose and wise counsel of his; which, as they are all well known to him, and cannot be withheld from having effect, or the performance of them hindered, Job now saw and was fully assured that all that had befallen him was according to the sovereign and inscrutable purposes of God, and according to the wise counsels of his will; he knew that not only God could do everything, but that he also did whatever he pleased.

Job 42:2 In-Context

1 Then Job replied to the LORD:
2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 18:14; S Matthew 19:26
  • 2. S 2 Chronicles 20:6; S Job 16:19; Acts 4:28; Ephesians 1:11
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.