“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”
God asks 'Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?' directly addressing the inadequacy of Job's complaint and Elihu's discourses. God's question does not distinguish between Job and the friends, suggesting that all human speech in this dispute has involved speaking without knowledge. The phrase 'darkens my counsel' suggests that human words obscure rather than illuminate divine reality and divine purposes. God identifies the fundamental problem: human beings are speaking about divine matters without adequate knowledge or understanding. The indictment is radical: it suggests that the entire human disputation, including all the theodicies offered and all Job's complaints, constitutes speaking without knowledge. Yet the question also functions to redirect attention: rather than continuing dispute, God demands recognition of human epistemic limitation. The question does not tell Job he is wrong or right, but rather establishes that the entire framework of human disputation operates in ignorance.
Church Fathers on Job 38:2
Who is this that involves sentences in unskilful words? As we have said also in the former part, an interrogative of this kind, in which it is said, Who is this? is the beginning of a reproof. For Eliu had spoken arrogantly. And we say not, Who is this, excepting expressly of him whom we know not. But knowledge on God’s part is approval; His not knowing is rejection. Whence He says to certain whom He rejects, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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