Albert Barnes Commentary Job 37:23

"[Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict." — Job 37:23 (ASV)

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out — (See the notes at Job 11:7-9). This sentiment is consistent with all that Elihu had said, and indeed is what he particularly intended to emphasize.

But it has a special emphasis here, where God is seen approaching in visible splendor, surrounded by clouds and tempests, and seated on a throne of burnished gold. Such a God, Elihu says, it was impossible to comprehend. His majesty was overwhelming.

The passage is much more impressive and solemn, and is much more consistent with the original, by omitting the words which the translators have introduced and printed in italics. It would then be:

The Almighty! — We cannot find him out!

Great in power, and in justice, and in righteousness!

This expresses the overwhelming emotion, the awe, the alarm produced on the mind of one who saw God approaching in the sublimity of the storm.

He is excellent in power — He excels, or is vast and incomprehensible in power.

And in judgment — That is, in justice.

And in plenty of justice — Hebrew, “in multitude of righteousness.” The meaning is, that there was an overflowing fullness of righteousness; his character was entirely righteous, or that trait was abundant in him.

He will not afflict — Or, he will not oppress, he will not crush. It was true that he did afflict people, but the idea is that there was not harshness or oppression in it.

He would not do it for the mere sake of producing affliction, or when it was not deserved.

Some manuscripts vary the reading here so as to mean “he will not answer;” that is, he will not give any account of what he does. The change relates only to the vowel points, but the above is the usual interpretation, and is consistent with the connection.