Bible Strands
Job 42:2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Job speaks to the LORD in the book's closing exchange, answering God's questions from the whirlwind (Job 38–41) and immediately confessing his own ignorance (Job 42:3).
The words — יִבָּצֵר (yi.ba.Tzer) carries the root sense of "narrowed" or "straitened"; the verse says no purpose is made narrow or impossible for God.
The thread — The same claim of divine omnipotence appears in Genesis 18:14 ("Is anything too difficult for the LORD?") and in Jesus' words at Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27 ("all things are possible with God").
Why it lands — It asks the reader to set aside the assumption that they can audit God's plans and to hold their own understanding as provisional.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
Cross-references
- Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
- Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
- Genesis 18:14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Jeremiah 32:17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
- Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
- Ephesians 1:11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
- Psalms 44:21 would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?
- Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Job 23:13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.