The Church Fathers on this verse

Job 36:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung.

Douay-Rheims

זְ֭כֹר כִּֽי־תַשְׂגִּ֣יא פָעֳל֑וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר שֹׁרְר֣וּ אֲנָשִֽׁים׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

Verse 24. Recall that you are unaware of His deeds, of whom men sing, as stated in Job 36:24. The Scriptures at times refer to angels, and at other times to those who lead exemplary lives, as ‘men.’ The prophet Daniel confirms that angels may be called ‘men,’ as seen in his words, "Behold, the man Gabriel" (Dan. 9:21). Likewise, the book of Wisdom refers to the righteous as ‘men’ when it proclaims, "To you men I call" (Proverbs 8:4). Thus, humans sing to the Lord when either heavenly beings or virtuous teachers reveal His might to us. However, His works remain largely unknown because even those who proclaim Him revere His unfathomable judgments.

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They know the One whom they proclaim, yet they are also ignorant of His deeds because they recognize, through grace, the One through whom they were created, but they cannot grasp His judgments, which are beyond understanding. The incomprehensibility of God’s works is affirmed by the Psalmist: "And with darkness hath He covered His secret" (Psalms 17:12). Additionally, "Thy judgments are a great abyss" (Psalm 35:7) and "deep as the abyss is His garment" (Psalms 103:6). Just as you are unaware of the ways of the wind, or how bones are formed in the womb of a pregnant woman, so too do you not know the works of God, the Creator of all things (Eccl. 11:5).

Instead of elaborating extensively, I will share a singular thought. Two infants enter this world; yet, one attains salvation through Baptism, while the other departs before receiving the cleansing waters. Often, a child of believing parents is taken away lacking faith, while an unbelieving child experiences renewal through the Sacrament of Faith. Some might argue that God foresaw that the latter would act wickedly even after Baptism, and thus did not grant him the grace of Baptism. If this is the case, it would imply that the sins of some are indeed punished prior to their commission. Who can believe that the Almighty God, who absolves some sins already committed, condemns others for the same sins, despite them not having yet acted on them? His judgments then are cloaked in mystery and deserve to be approached with humility, like an abyss or the darkness that prevents clarity. Let it be said, Remember that you are ignorant of His works, of whom men sing. This implies explicitly that His works, which the great speak of, remain concealed from your understanding because they surpass the limits of your knowledge, given your human nature. Hence, understanding is attained:

Ireneus (Orda)

19th centuryCommentator

After receiving no response from Job this time, Elihu makes another attempt to demonstrate the justice of God as manifested in the world’s workings. He contends that the Lord is not only just but also attentive to the integrity of the virtuous. Trials and tribulations are sent to purify them from their transgressions; should they repent, they will be rewarded. In contrast, those who remain unrepentant and hypocritical will face severe judgment. Consequently, Job will experience salvation if he is truly righteous; however, if he is wicked, he will find no escape from divine retribution. The inevitability of God’s judgment underscores the necessity for Job to recognize the magnitude of God’s creations.

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All elements of nature serve as testimonies to God’s care for humanity, exhibiting a just distribution of His blessings and adversities. The natural phenomena of raindrops and lightning, thunder and storms, are wielded by His hand either as instruments of punishment or vessels of grace. Given that humanity cannot comprehend the reasons behind these extraordinary manifestations, nor replicate them in any way, one must relinquish the impulse to challenge God and instead submit before His will in deep humility.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.