Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

JOB 36:26KJV
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Job 36:26 (KJV)

What does Job 36:26 mean?

Job 36:26 describes how God is far greater than human understanding can grasp, and that no one can measure the length of God’s existence. The verse emphasizes the vastness and mystery of God, pointing out that people cannot fully know or search out God’s years.

In this part of the book of Job, Elihu is speaking to Job and his friends, trying to explain God’s greatness and wisdom. Elihu wants his listeners to realize that God’s nature and age are beyond human ability to comprehend or investigate. The verse sets up a contrast between God’s infinite nature and human limitation, encouraging humility before the mystery of God.

The Hebrew behind Job 36:26

  • God (אֵל, 'el): This word highlights God’s might and power, reminding the listener that the subject is not just any being, but the all-powerful Creator.
  • Great (שַׂגִּיא, saggi): This word means “exceedingly great” or “vast,” underscoring the idea that God’s greatness goes beyond ordinary limits.
  • Know (יָדַע, yada‘): The word here means more than just intellectual knowledge; it often includes the idea of deep understanding or relationship. The verse stresses that even this kind of knowing falls short when it comes to God.
  • Number (מִסְפָּר, mispar) and Years (שָׁנָה, shanah): These words together point to the idea that God’s existence cannot be counted or measured in time like human life can.
  • Out (חֵקֶר, cheqer): This word means “to search out” or “to investigate deeply.” The verse says that even the most thorough search cannot uncover the full extent of God’s years.

Why Job 36:26 matters

  • Job 36:26 clears up any idea that people can fully understand or explain God, reminding readers that some things about God will always remain mysterious.
  • The verse emphasizes humility, showing that even wise people like Elihu admit the limits of human knowledge about God.
  • This statement connects to the larger argument in Job, where human suffering and God’s ways are often beyond explanation, encouraging trust rather than complete understanding.

Where else these words appear

“great” Hebrew H7689 · used in 2 verses

  • Job 37:23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

“out” Hebrew H2714 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
  • Job 9:10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
  • Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 2:2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: