Job 35:11

Who teacheth vs more then the beasts of the earth, and maketh vs wiser then the foules of heauen. Job 35:11 (KJV)

Elihu’s words in Job 35 form a response to Job’s suffering, addressing God’s justice and the proper attitude toward affliction. He begins in verse 35:10 with a rhetorical question: “But none saith, Where is God my maker, that giveth songs in the night?” (KJV). From this point Elihu points out that people often neglect to acknowledge God as their Creator and source of comfort, even in the darkest moments.

In verse 35:11 Elihu declares that God “teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven.” While the exact phrasing does not appear verbatim in the King James Version, the sense of the comparison is present in Elihu’s speech, which contrasts divine instruction with animal instinct. The statement underscores that God’s knowledge and wisdom surpass the natural instincts of all creation.

The passage invites reflection on the unique capacities God has given humanity. Animals possess instinctual abilities, but humans are endowed with the ability to learn, reason, and acquire wisdom that comes from God. This divine teaching enables us to seek deeper understanding, grow in knowledge, and discern right from wrong rather than relying solely on instinct.

Elihu’s remark also reminds readers that true wisdom originates from God. He is the One who imparts knowledge and discernment, empowering people to make prudent choices, especially amid trials or confusion. Recognizing that our insight is a gift from the Creator encourages believers to turn to God for guidance in every circumstance.

In summary, Job 35:11 (as rendered in the KJV context) highlights the distinction between human wisdom—bestowed by God—and the instinctual behavior of animals. It calls believers to acknowledge the divine source of genuine wisdom and to pursue God’s guidance continually, trusting that He teaches us beyond the wisdom of the beasts and the fowls.