Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.

JOB 25:2KJV
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Job 25:2 (KJV)

What does Job 25:2 mean?

Job 25:2 says that God holds supreme authority and inspires awe, and that He establishes peace in the highest realms. The verse highlights God’s unmatched power and the order He brings to even the most exalted places.

In this verse, Bildad the Shuhite is speaking to Job as part of a short speech about God’s greatness. Bildad is reminding Job and the listeners that God’s rule (dominion) and the fear He inspires are absolute, and that God alone brings harmony to the heavens or “high places.” This statement sets up Bildad’s argument that humans, by contrast, are insignificant before such a majestic God.

The Hebrew behind Job 25:2

  • "Dominion" (מֶמְשָׁלָה, memshalah, H4910) means rule or authority. Bildad uses this word to stress that God’s control is total and unchallenged.
  • "Fear" (פַּחַד, pachad, H6343) refers to awe or terror. The word suggests not just being afraid, but a deep reverence that God’s presence brings.
  • "Maketh" (עָשָׂה, asah, H6213) is a common verb for “to make” or “to do.” Here, it emphasizes that God actively creates or maintains peace.
  • "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom, H7965) means more than just the absence of conflict; it includes wholeness, harmony, and well-being. Bildad is saying God brings complete order.
  • "Places" (מָרוֹם, marom, H4791) means heights or high places, often referring to the heavens. This points to God’s ability to bring peace even in the most exalted or spiritual realms.

Why Job 25:2 matters

  • Job 25:2 clarifies that Bildad is not just talking about God’s power on earth, but in the highest, most unreachable places, showing the vastness of God’s reign.
  • The verse sets up a contrast between God’s perfection and the smallness of humanity, which is important for understanding the argument Bildad is making in the chapter.
  • Understanding the original words for “dominion,” “fear,” and “peace” helps show that Bildad is describing not just authority, but a kind of order and awe that only God can establish everywhere, even where humans cannot reach.

Where else these words appear

“fear” Hebrew H6343 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
  • Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

“places” Hebrew H4791 · used in 52 verses

  • Judges 5:18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
  • Psalms 93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
  • Isaiah 37:24 By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.

“Dominion” Hebrew H4910 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
  • Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.