“But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being.
Parallel translations
- WEB “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
- KJV Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
- BSB Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
- NKJV “Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man.
- NASB “Behold, let me respond to you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than mankind.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Moses presses God, noting he has been told to lead the people but not whom God will send with him. He seeks assurance of God's personal presence.
Overview
Moses holds God to His own words of favor, asking for clarity about who will accompany them. His boldness flows from the relationship God has granted him. The plea reveals that what Moses most wants is not merely guidance but the assurance that God Himself is with them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Ezek 18:25“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not equal.’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal?
- Job 36:5“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
- Job 34:23For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
- Job 1:22In all this, Job did not sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.
- Rom 9:19–21You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?”
- Job 26:14Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways. How small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”
- Job 35:2“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
- Jer 18:6“House of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter?” says Yahweh. “Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.
- Job 9:4God who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and prospered?
- Eccl 7:20Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn’t sin.
- Job 34:17–19Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty? —
- Job 34:10–12“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
- Job 40:2“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
- Job 32:17I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.
- Job 40:8–9Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?
- Job 36:22–23Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
- Job 35:4I will answer you, and your companions with you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 33:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.