Job 21:22

Modern

Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high?

Traditional

Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

Literal

Can one teach knowledge to God, since He judges those being high?

Latin

Numquid Deus docebit quispiam scientiam, qui excelsos judicat?

Hebrew

English

Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high?

This question assumes the answer that no one can teach God a lesson (Isaiah 40:13–14; 45:9; Romans 11:34; 1 Corinthians 2:16).
The phrase those on high might refer to good or bad angels (demons) (1 Corinthians 6:3; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 20:1–3). Or, more likely, it refers to powerful people on earth (Job 34:17–19).

Romans 11:34
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”
1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Isaiah 40:13–14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?
Revelation 20:12–15
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.
2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Job 35:11
…who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’
Job 4:18
If God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error,
Job 34:17–19
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
Job 40:2
“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
Psalm 113:5–6
Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?
Psalm 82:1
A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God