The Theophanic Glory of God: Reflections on Job 38–42
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/ROOTS.2026.1.4Keywords:
Theophany, Divine glory, Suffering, Creation, Divine presence, EpistemologyAbstract
This paper offers a theological reflection on the theophanic manifestation of divine glory in Job 38 – 42, focusing on the interrelated themes of divine presence (glory), creation, suffering, and human knowledge. Although kavod is not explicitly attributed to God in the divine speeches, the article argues that glory is manifested through God’s appearance from the seʿarah, the disclosure of creation, and the transformation of Job’s epistemological position. The divine speeches provide no causal explanation for Job’s suffering; instead, their rhetorical questions displace an anthropocentric perspective by revealing a created order that exceeds human knowledge, utility, and control. Job’s movement from ‘hearing’ to ‘seeing’ (42:5) expresses the relational and epistemological consequence of the encounter. Divine glory thus emerges through transformative encounter with divine presence within mystery.
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