This verse emphasizes that our human perception of darkness does not diminish God's ability to judge or know our circumstances.
Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, is speaking here and accuses Job of doubting God’s understanding by quoting to Job the words, “What does God know? Can He judge through the thick darkness?” (v.13). The question implies that Job might be suggesting God is too distant or surrounded by impenetrable clouds to perceive human affairs. Eliphaz, hailing from Teman—a region within Edom located southeast of ancient Palestine—lived sometime around the period traditionally associated with the patriarchs, which could be dated broadly to the second millennium BC. He carries on a conversation drenched in cultural references to divine justice, believing that God’s ability to see all things is absolute and that human circumstances are always within His grasp.
By raising the question, “What does God know? Can He judge through the thick darkness?” (v.13), Eliphaz tries to convict Job of impiety, implying Job has overstepped by doubting God’s omniscience. In the broader context of the book, Job has been grappling with severe suffering and searching for reasons why these calamities have befallen him, which leads his friends to make sweeping assumptions about his conduct and beliefs. Eliphaz’s assessment reflects a misunderstanding of Job’s lament, confusing honest spiritual struggle with outright rebellion against God. In Scripture, other passages emphasize the Lord’s all-seeing capability regardless of how deep the shadows are; for example, Psalm 139 tells of God’s presence even in the darkness, highlighting that no place is hidden from Him, and Jesus affirms that God sees what we do in secret (Matthew 6:4).
Eliphaz’s words underscore a key biblical theme: the sovereignty and omniscience of God. Though hardship or darkness may overshadow a believer’s life, God’s knowledge penetrates every situation. Jesus, in the New Testament, embodies this intimate understanding of the human condition. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, demonstrating that no difficulty or sorrow escapes His awareness. People in every generation can find comfort in the truth that God is not limited by darkness or distance.
Set to dark mode
Job 22:13 meaning
Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, is speaking here and accuses Job of doubting God’s understanding by quoting to Job the words, “What does God know? Can He judge through the thick darkness?” (v.13). The question implies that Job might be suggesting God is too distant or surrounded by impenetrable clouds to perceive human affairs. Eliphaz, hailing from Teman—a region within Edom located southeast of ancient Palestine—lived sometime around the period traditionally associated with the patriarchs, which could be dated broadly to the second millennium BC. He carries on a conversation drenched in cultural references to divine justice, believing that God’s ability to see all things is absolute and that human circumstances are always within His grasp.
By raising the question, “What does God know? Can He judge through the thick darkness?” (v.13), Eliphaz tries to convict Job of impiety, implying Job has overstepped by doubting God’s omniscience. In the broader context of the book, Job has been grappling with severe suffering and searching for reasons why these calamities have befallen him, which leads his friends to make sweeping assumptions about his conduct and beliefs. Eliphaz’s assessment reflects a misunderstanding of Job’s lament, confusing honest spiritual struggle with outright rebellion against God. In Scripture, other passages emphasize the Lord’s all-seeing capability regardless of how deep the shadows are; for example, Psalm 139 tells of God’s presence even in the darkness, highlighting that no place is hidden from Him, and Jesus affirms that God sees what we do in secret (Matthew 6:4).
Eliphaz’s words underscore a key biblical theme: the sovereignty and omniscience of God. Though hardship or darkness may overshadow a believer’s life, God’s knowledge penetrates every situation. Jesus, in the New Testament, embodies this intimate understanding of the human condition. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, demonstrating that no difficulty or sorrow escapes His awareness. People in every generation can find comfort in the truth that God is not limited by darkness or distance.