Job 38:2

Job 38:2

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

a. NLT: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?

b. NIV: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?

c. YLT: Who is this -- darkening counsel, By words without knowledge?

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

e. Septuagint: Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in [his] heart, and thinks to conceal [them] from me?

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Who is this who gives murky counsel, with words without knowledge?

1. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

a. Who is this that darkeneth [2821 * chashak] [Strong: a primitive root; to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken:--be black, be (make) dark, darken, cause darkness, be dim, hide.] [Outline of Biblical Usage, Larry Pierce: to be or become dark, grow dim, be darkened, be black, be hidden, to be or grow dark, to have a dark colour, to grow dim, to make dark, cause to be dark, to hide, conceal, to obscure, confuse (fig.)]

b. counsel [6098 * `etsah] [Strong: from 3289; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence:--advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose.]

c. by words [4405 *  millah] [Strong: from 4448 (plural masculine as if from milleh {mil-leh'}; a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic:--+ answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to speak(-ing), speak, talking, word.]

d. without knowledge [1847 * da`ath] [Strong: from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly).]

1). Instead of clearing things up and making everything understandable, Job and his friends were making things less clear. The words they were speaking were without true knowledge of what was going on, even though some of the things they were saying were true.