Attributes of God: Omniscience and Omnipotence
The attributes of omniscience and omnipotence describe God's infinite knowledge and unlimited power, respectively. These characteristics are fundamental to understanding the nature of the Divine Being in biblical thought [4].
Omniscience: God's Infinite Knowledge
Omniscience refers to God's perfect and complete knowledge of all things—past, present, and future, actual and possible. The Bible consistently portrays God as possessing infinite knowledge, a concept that humans cannot fully grasp [1]. This attribute is evident in numerous biblical passages. For instance, 1 Samuel 23:9-13 and Jeremiah 38:17-23 illustrate God's knowledge of contingent future events, while Acts 15:18 states that "known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world" [1]. Sirach 15:19 affirms, "For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing" [5].
God's omniscience extends to the deepest thoughts and intentions of humanity. Psalm 139:3-6 describes God's intimate knowledge of an individual's path and lying down, noting that "there is not a word on my tongue but behold, O Lord, you know it altogether" [9]. This comprehensive knowledge provides comfort to the godly, as it implies God's constant awareness and care, but it can also be a source of apprehension for the wicked [9]. The prophet Jeremiah emphasizes God's pervasive knowledge, stating, "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:24) [11]. This passage suggests that God's omniscience is intrinsically linked to his omnipresence, as his knowledge extends wherever his being is present [11].
The concept of God's foreknowledge is a specific aspect of his omniscience, referring to his knowledge of future events. This is mentioned in passages such as Acts 2:23, Romans 8:29, Romans 11:2, and 1 Peter 1:2 [1]. This foreknowledge is not merely a prediction but an inherent aspect of God's eternal understanding. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Job 34:21 connects God's omniscience with his ability to execute immediate justice, noting that God "needs not to be long on the 'watch'" [7]. Daniel 2:20 also highlights God's wisdom, which encompasses his knowledge, stating, "Wisdom and might are his" [10].
Omnipotence: God's Unlimited Power
Omnipotence signifies God's absolute and unlimited power to do all things consistent with his nature. The Hebrew word 'El, often translated as "God," derives from a root meaning "to be strong," inherently linking the divine name with power [4]. Names like Ezekiel, meaning "the strength of God," and Jecoliah, meaning "perfection, or power, of the Lord," further underscore this attribute [2, 6].
God's omnipotence is frequently demonstrated through his creative acts and his control over all creation. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Job 40:9 interprets "arm" as a symbol of God's omnipotence, while "thunder" represents God's voice, further illustrating his power [13]. Daniel 4:3, in Nebuchadnezzar's declaration, exclaims, "How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation" [12]. This passage emphasizes that God's miraculous interventions surpass all human power, and his dominion is eternal [12].
The sovereignty of God is closely related to his omnipotence. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines God's sovereignty as "his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure" [3]. This is supported by scriptures such as Daniel 4:25, 35; Romans 9:15-23; 1 Timothy 6:15; and Revelation 4:11 [3]. God's power is not arbitrary but is always exercised in accordance with his perfect will and wisdom. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Proverbs 8:22, while discussing wisdom, notes that God's attributes, including power, are "coincident and eternal as Himself," implying that his power is an inherent and foundational aspect of his being [8].
The combination of omniscience and omnipotence means that God not only knows everything but also has the power to accomplish anything he wills. This dual attribute ensures that God's plans and purposes will always come to fruition. As the Tyndale House commentary on Psalm 139:3-6 suggests, the Lord's omniscience and omnipotence together provide comfort to the righteous, knowing that God is fully aware and capable of acting on their behalf [9]. Conversely, for those who oppose God, these attributes signify inescapable judgment [9]. The prophet Daniel, in Daniel 2:20, praises God, saying, "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his," acknowledging both his knowledge and his power [10].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreknowledge of God — Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his knowledge is infinite (1 Sam. 23:9-13; Jer. 38:17-23; 42:9-22, Matt. 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18).”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ezekiel — the strength of God”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Sirach “Sirach 15:19 (DRC) — For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jecoliah — perfection, or power, of the Lord”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 34:21: God's omniscience and omnipotence enable Him to execute immediate justice. He needs not to be long on the "watch," as Job thought (Job 7:12; Ch2 16:9; Jer 32:19).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 8:22: Strictly, God's attributes are part of Himself. Yet, to the poetical structure of the whole passage, this commendation of wisdom is entirely consonant. In order of time all His attributes are coincident and eternal as Himself. But to set forth the importance of wisdom as devising the products of benevolence and power, it is here assigned a precedence. As it has such in divine, so should it be desired in human, affairs (compare Pro 3:19). possessed--or, "created"; in either sense, the idea of precedence. in the beginning--or simply, "beginning," i”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 139:3: 139:3-6 The Lord’s omniscience and omnipotence provide comfort to the godly, but they imprison the hearts of the wicked (2:3).”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 2:20: Wisdom and might are his - He knows all things, and can do all things.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 23:24: (Psa 139:7, &c.; Amo 9:2-3). fill heaven and earth--with My omniscience providence, power, and essential being (Kg1 8:27).”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 4:3: How great are his signs! - There are no preternatural signs like his! His wonders - miraculous interferences, are mighty - they surpass all human power. He is the Sovereign of all kings, and his dominion is everlasting; and every generation is a proof of his all-governing influence. These are very fine sentiments, and show how deeply his mind was impressed with the majesty of God.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 40:9: arm--God's omnipotence (Isa 53:1). thunder--God's voice (Job 37:4).”