26:2 no power Job accuses Bildad of providing no help. Job earlier accused his friends of being worthless comforters (13:4; 16:2, 4–5).

26:4 have you uttered words Job mocks Bildad’s lack of originality in his previous speech—where his main point (25:4) had already been made repeatedly by Eliphaz (4:17–19; 15:14–16; 22:2).

26:6 Sheol The Hebrew text here uses the term she’ol, which is often transliterated in English translations as Sheol. Job has repeatedly referenced this dark, gloomy place. See note on 14:13.

for Abaddon The Hebrew word used here, avaddon, is used here as a synonym for the realm of the dead, she’ol. Avaddon refers to a place of destruction, perishing, or ruin. Compare note on 31:12.

there is no covering for Abaddon In extolling God’s greatness, Job points out that God can see all things, including the realm of the dead. See note on Prov 15:11.

Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife

26:8 the water in its clouds Job moves from the realm of the dead (Job 26:5–7) to the sky to demonstrate that God’s supremacy spans the entire creation. Compare note on Gen 1:2.

26:10 He has described a circle on the face of the water See note on Gen 1:6–10.

26:12 Rahab The Hebrew word used here, rahav, likely refers to a sea monster (see Job 9:13 and note; 7:12; compare Psa 89:10; Isa 51:9–10). In the ancient Near East, creatures like these were seen as forces of chaos that needed to be subdued. See note on Gen 1:21.

26:14 the outer fringes of These mighty acts of God give only a glimpse of His power.

how faint is the word The mighty thunder and wind is only a whisper to God. This description anticipates God’s response in ch. 38, where God speaks from a whirlwind. Elsewhere, God speaks in a whisper (1 Kgs 19:11–13).

Theophany in the Old Testament