King James Version
Job 38
41 verses with commentary
The Lord Answers Job: Where Were You?
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
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Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
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Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. answer: Heb. make me know
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Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. hast: Heb. knowest understanding
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"Declare, if thou hast understanding" (hagged im-yada'ta binah, הַגֵּד אִם־יָדַעְתָּ בִינָה) challenges Job to explain creation if he possesses true insight. The verb nagad (נָגַד, "declare") means to make known, announce, or explain. God's question exposes the vast gap between divine knowledge and human understanding—Job demands answers, yet lacks comprehension of creation's most basic facts.
This verse inaugurates God's response strategy: rather than explaining Job's suffering, God reveals His own majesty, wisdom, and power through creation's wonders. The implication: if Job cannot understand the physical universe's origins and operations, how can he comprehend God's moral governance? The passage teaches that trust in God's goodness doesn't require comprehensive understanding. God's creative power and wisdom warrant trust even when His purposes remain mysterious. This anticipates Romans 11:33-36, which declares God's judgments unsearchable and His ways inscrutable, concluding with doxology.
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
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Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; foundations: Heb. sockets fastened: Heb. made to sink?
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When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
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"Sang together" (ranan yachad, רָנַן יַחַד) uses a verb meaning to shout for joy or cry out in jubilation, with yachad emphasizing unity—they sang in chorus. "Shouted for joy" (heri'u, הֵרִיעוּ) intensifies the image: a loud cry of celebration or triumph. The scene portrays creation as cosmic worship service, with angels as choir celebrating God's creative work. Their joy reflects creation's goodness—everything God made was very good (Genesis 1:31).
This verse has profound theological implications. It reveals that creation existed before humanity—angels witnessed earth's founding, establishing that God's purposes transcend human history. It also shows that creation evokes worship from those who perceive God's wisdom and power rightly. When Job questions God's governance, God reminds him that celestial beings who witnessed creation's beginning worshiped—should not Job trust the Creator whom angels praise? Revelation 4-5 echoes this imagery, depicting heavenly beings worshiping God for creation and redemption.
Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
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When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
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And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, brake: or, established my decree upon it
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And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? thy: Heb. the pride of thy waves
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Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
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That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? ends: Heb. wings
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It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
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And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
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Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
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Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
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Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
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Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
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That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? to the bound: or, at, etc
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Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
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Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
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Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
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By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
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God Questions Job About Nature
Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
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To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
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To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
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Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
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Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
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The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. is: Heb. is taken
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Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Pleiades: or, the seven stars: Heb. Cimah Orion: Heb. Cesil?
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Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Mazzaroth: or, the twelve signs guide: Heb. guide them
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Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
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Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
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Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Here: Heb. Behold us?
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Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
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Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, stay: Heb. cause to lie down
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When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? groweth: or, is turned into mire: Heb. is poured
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Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, the appetite: Heb. the life
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When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
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Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.