Bible Commentaries
Job 38

Introduction

Overview

Job 38:1, God challenges Job to answer; Job 38:4, God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance, Job 38:31, and of imbecility.

Verse 1

Job 37:1, Job 37:2, Job 37:9, Job 37:14, Exodus 19:16-19, Deuteronomy 4:11, Deuteronomy 4:12, Deuteronomy 5:22-24, 1 Kings 19:11, 2 Kings 2:1, 2 Kings 2:11, Ezekiel 1:4, Nahum 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:8 - cool of the day Genesis 9:10 - General Job 11:5 - General Job 31:35 - Oh Job 40:1 - General Job 40:6 - out Psalms 111:2 - works Matthew 17:5 - a voice

Verse 2

Job 12:3, Job 23:4, Job 23:5, Job 24:25, Job 26:3, Job 27:11, Job 34:35, Job 35:16, Job 42:3, 1 Timothy 1:7

Reciprocal: Job 6:26 - reprove Job 11:5 - General Job 33:3 - my lips Job 37:19 - we Psalms 106:33 - he spake Psalms 139:4 - there is not Romans 9:20 - who art Colossians 2:18 - intruding James 4:12 - who

Verse 3

Gird: Job 40:7, Exodus 12:11, 1 Kings 18:46, Jeremiah 1:17, 1 Peter 1:13

for: Job 13:15, Job 13:22, Job 23:3-7, Job 31:35-37

answer thou me: Heb. make me know

Reciprocal: Job 42:4 - I will Proverbs 31:17 - girdeth Isaiah 41:1 - let the people Isaiah 41:21 - Produce Romans 9:20 - who art

Verse 4

Where: Proverbs 8:22, Proverbs 8:29, Proverbs 8:30, Proverbs 30:4

I: Genesis 1:1, Psalms 102:25, Psalms 104:5, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:10

hast: Heb. knowest

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:8 - the pillars Job 9:6 - the pillars Job 15:7 - or wast thou Job 34:13 - Who hath given Job 37:15 - Dost Job 38:12 - since Job 38:21 - General Psalms 18:15 - foundations Psalms 24:2 - For Psalms 90:2 - Before Psalms 119:90 - thou hast Proverbs 8:25 - General Proverbs 25:2 - the glory Ecclesiastes 11:5 - even Isaiah 24:23 - before his ancients gloriously Isaiah 40:12 - measured Isaiah 40:22 - stretcheth Jeremiah 10:12 - hath made Jeremiah 27:5 - made Amos 4:13 - he that Jonah 2:6 - the earth

Verse 5

laid: Job 11:9, Job 28:25, Proverbs 8:27, Isaiah 40:12, Isaiah 40:22

who hath stretched: Psalms 19:4, Psalms 78:55, Isaiah 34:11, Zechariah 2:1, Zechariah 2:2, 2 Corinthians 10:16

Reciprocal: Zechariah 1:16 - and

Verse 6

Whereupon: Job 26:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, Psalms 24:2, Psalms 93:1, Psalms 104:5, Zechariah 12:1, 2 Peter 3:5

foundations: Heb. sockets, Exodus 26:18-25

fastened: Heb. made to sink, or, Psalms 118:22, Psalms 144:12, Isaiah 28:16, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 2:21

Reciprocal: Job 7:12 - I a sea Zechariah 4:7 - shoutings

Verse 7

the morning: Revelation 2:28, Revelation 22:16

the sons: Job 1:6, Job 2:1, Psalms 104:4, Revelation 5:11

shouted: Ezra 3:11, Ezra 3:12, Zechariah 4:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:16 - to rule Genesis 1:31 - very good Exodus 31:17 - and was refreshed Leviticus 23:24 - a memorial Judges 5:1 - Sang Deborah Psalms 5:11 - shout Psalms 148:2 - all his angels Daniel 3:25 - the Son of God Luke 2:13 - a multitude Revelation 1:16 - he had

Verse 8

who: Job 38:10, Genesis 1:9, Psalms 33:7, Psalms 104:9, Proverbs 8:29, Jeremiah 5:22

out: Job 38:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:11 - all Exodus 14:29 - walked 1 Kings 17:4 - I have commanded Job 11:10 - shut up Job 26:10 - compassed Job 36:30 - and Job 38:28 - Hath the Psalms 24:2 - and Psalms 29:10 - sitteth Psalms 65:7 - noise Psalms 89:9 - General Psalms 107:24 - his wonders Psalms 146:6 - the sea Proverbs 3:20 - the depths Matthew 8:26 - and rebuked Luke 8:25 - being

Verse 9

thick: Genesis 1:2

Reciprocal: Job 26:8 - bindeth up Job 36:29 - the spreadings

Verse 10

brake up for it my decreed place: or, established my decree upon it, Job 26:10, Genesis 1:9, Genesis 1:10, Genesis 9:15, Psalms 104:9, Jeremiah 5:22

Reciprocal: Job 2:6 - save Job 38:8 - who Job 41:14 - the Psalms 95:5 - The sea is his Psalms 148:6 - He hath also Ecclesiastes 1:7 - the rivers run Jeremiah 31:35 - when

Verse 11

Hitherto: Thus far shall thy flux and reflux extend. The tides are marvellously limited and regulated, not only by the lunar and solar attraction, but by the quantum of time required to remove any part of the earth's surface, by its rotation round its axis, from under the immediate attractive influence of the sun and moon. Hence the attraction of the sun and moon, and the gravitation of the sea to its own centre, which prevent too great a flux on the one hand, and too great reflux on the other, are some of those bars and doors by which its proud waves are stayed, and prevented from coming farther. Psalms 65:6, Psalms 65:7, Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Proverbs 8:29, Mark 4:39-41

but: Job 1:22, Job 2:6, Psalms 76:10, Psalms 89:9, Isaiah 27:8, Luke 8:32, Luke 8:33, Revelation 20:2, Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:7, Revelation 20:8

thy proud waves: Heb. the pride of thy waves

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:2 - slew not 2 Samuel 22:16 - rebuking 1 Kings 13:28 - the lion had Job 9:8 - treadeth Psalms 46:3 - the waters Psalms 95:5 - The sea is his Psalms 104:9 - hast set Psalms 124:5 - the proud Psalms 148:6 - He hath also Ecclesiastes 1:7 - the rivers run Isaiah 17:13 - rebuke Jeremiah 5:22 - placed Jeremiah 31:35 - when Nahum 1:4 - rebuketh Mark 4:41 - What

Verse 12

commanded: Genesis 1:5, Psalms 74:16, Psalms 136:7, Psalms 136:8, Psalms 148:3-5

since: Job 38:4, Job 38:21, Job 8:9, Job 15:7

the dayspring: Luke 1:78, 2 Peter 1:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:14 - Let there Genesis 1:17 - General Job 9:7 - sealeth Job 24:16 - they know Job 25:3 - upon whom Job 38:19 - the way Job 38:24 - General Job 38:33 - canst Psalms 65:8 - outgoings Psalms 104:19 - General Amos 5:8 - and turneth

Verse 13

take: Psalms 19:4-6, Psalms 139:9-12

ends: Heb. wings, Job 37:3, *marg.

the wicked: Job 24:13-17, Exodus 14:27, Psalms 104:21, Psalms 104:22, Psalms 104:35

Reciprocal: Job 24:16 - they know Job 25:3 - upon whom Job 38:19 - the way Job 38:24 - General Job 38:33 - canst Amos 5:8 - and turneth

Verse 14

as a: Psalms 104:2, Psalms 104:6

Reciprocal: James 2:5 - Hearken

Verse 15

from: Job 5:14, Job 18:5, Job 18:18, Exodus 10:21-23, 2 Kings 6:18, Proverbs 4:19, Isaiah 8:21, Isaiah 8:22, Jeremiah 13:16, Acts 13:10, Acts 13:11

the high: Psalms 10:15, Psalms 37:17, Ezekiel 30:22

Reciprocal: Daniel 11:6 - retain

Verse 16

the springs: Psalms 77:19, Proverbs 8:24, Jeremiah 51:36

walked: Job 26:5, Job 26:6

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 14:20 - to know Job 28:3 - the stones Job 41:32 - deep

Verse 17

the gates: Psalms 9:13, Psalms 107:18, Psalms 116:3

the shadow: Job 3:5, Job 12:22, Psalms 23:4, Psalms 107:10, Psalms 107:14, Amos 5:8, Matthew 4:16

Reciprocal: Job 10:22 - the shadow of death Job 28:3 - the stones Matthew 16:18 - and the Hebrews 4:13 - naked

Verse 18

Psalms 74:17, Psalms 89:11, Psalms 89:12, Isaiah 40:28, Jeremiah 31:37, Revelation 20:9

Verse 19

the way: Job 38:12, Job 38:13, Genesis 1:3, Genesis 1:4, Genesis 1:14-18, Deuteronomy 4:19, Isaiah 45:7, John 1:9, John 8:12

darkness: Psalms 18:11, Psalms 104:20, Psalms 105:28, Jeremiah 13:16, Ezekiel 32:8, Amos 4:13, Matthew 27:45

Reciprocal: Job 9:7 - sealeth Job 28:7 - a path

Verse 20

it to: or, it at

the bound: Genesis 10:19, Genesis 23:17

Reciprocal: Job 9:7 - sealeth

Verse 21

Job 38:4, Job 38:12, Job 15:7

Verse 22

Job 6:16, Job 37:6, Psalms 33:7, Psalms 135:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:6 - Let there Exodus 9:23 - and hail Deuteronomy 28:12 - open Job 36:31 - by Psalms 147:17 - casteth Psalms 148:8 - Fire Jeremiah 10:13 - bringeth Jeremiah 51:16 - bringeth Revelation 11:19 - and great

Verse 23

Job 36:31, Job 36:13, Exodus 9:18, Exodus 9:24, Joshua 10:11, Isaiah 30:30, Ezekiel 13:11-13, Matthew 7:27, Revelation 16:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:23 - and hail Psalms 135:7 - he bringeth Psalms 147:17 - casteth Revelation 11:19 - and great

Verse 24

Job 38:12, Job 38:13, Jonah 4:8, Matthew 24:27

Reciprocal: Job 28:7 - a path Job 37:15 - the light Psalms 135:7 - he maketh lightnings Psalms 147:8 - covereth

Verse 25

Job 28:26, Job 36:27, Job 36:28, Job 37:3-6, Psalms 29:3-10

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:16 - thunders Leviticus 26:4 - Then I Job 36:30 - he Job 37:15 - the light Job 37:21 - General Psalms 29:10 - sitteth Psalms 104:13 - watereth Jeremiah 10:13 - maketh

Verse 26

To cause: It is well known that rain falls copiously in thunder storms. The flash is first seen, the clap is next heard, and last the rain descends; though in fact they all take place at the same time. The lightning traverses all space in no perceivable succession of time. Sound is propagated at the rate of 1,142 feet in a second. Rain travels still more slowly, and will be seen sooner or later according to the weight of the drops, and the distance of the cloud. Now as water is composed of two elastic airs or gases, called oxygen and hydrogen, in the proportion of 88+ of the former and 11, 3/4 of the latter in 100 parts, the electric spark, or matter of lightning, passing through the atmosphere, ignites and decomposes those gases, which explode; and the water falls down in the form of rain. This explosion, as well as the rushing in of the circumambient air to restore the equilibrium, will account for the clap and peal; and thus by the lightning of thunder God causes it to rain on the earth.

on the wilderness: Psalms 104:10-14, Psalms 107:35, Psalms 147:8, Psalms 147:9, Isaiah 35:1, Isaiah 35:2, Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 41:19, Isaiah 43:19, Isaiah 43:20, Jeremiah 14:22, Hebrews 6:7, Hebrews 6:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:5 - had not Job 5:10 - fields Job 36:31 - he giveth Job 37:13 - for his Psalms 65:12 - drop Psalms 135:7 - he maketh lightnings Proverbs 3:20 - the clouds Acts 14:17 - and gave

Verse 27

Reciprocal: Job 36:31 - he giveth Job 37:13 - for his Psalms 65:12 - drop Psalms 145:16 - openest

Verse 28

Hath the: Job 38:8, Job 5:9, Job 5:10, 1 Samuel 12:17, 1 Samuel 12:18, Psalms 65:9, Psalms 65:10, Jeremiah 5:24, Jeremiah 10:13, Jeremiah 14:22, Joel 2:23, Amos 4:7, Matthew 5:45

dew: Job 29:19, Genesis 27:28, Genesis 27:39, Deuteronomy 33:13, Deuteronomy 33:28, 2 Samuel 1:21, 1 Kings 17:1, Proverbs 3:20, Hosea 14:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:4 - the generations Psalms 90:2 - Before

Verse 29

Job 38:8, Job 6:16, Job 37:10, Psalms 147:16, Psalms 147:17

Reciprocal: Psalms 90:2 - Before

Verse 30

the face: Job 37:10

frozen: Heb. taken

Reciprocal: Job 41:32 - deep Psalms 147:17 - who can stand

Verse 31

Pleiades: or, the seven stars, Heb. Cimah, Job 9:9, *marg. Amos 5:8

Orion: or, Cesil

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:14 - and let Job 37:17 - he

Verse 32

Mazzaroth: or, the twelve signs, Probably the same as mazzaloth. 2 Kings 23:5

guide Arcturus: Heb. guide them, Job 9:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:14 - and let Amos 5:8 - maketh

Verse 33

the ordinances: Genesis 1:16, Genesis 8:22, Psalms 119:90, Psalms 119:91, Jeremiah 31:35, Jeremiah 31:36, Jeremiah 33:25

canst: Job 38:12, Job 38:13

Reciprocal: Psalms 148:6 - He hath also

Verse 34

1 Samuel 12:18, Amos 5:8, Zechariah 10:1, James 5:18

Reciprocal: Job 36:27 - he Job 36:30 - he Jeremiah 10:13 - uttereth Jeremiah 51:16 - there is Matthew 8:9 - Go

Verse 35

Canst: Exodus 9:23-25, Exodus 9:29, Leviticus 10:2, Numbers 11:1, Numbers 16:35, 2 Kings 1:10, 2 Kings 1:14, Revelation 11:5, Revelation 11:6

Here we are: Heb. Behold us, 1 Samuel 22:12, Isaiah 6:8, *marg. Isaiah 65:1

Reciprocal: Job 36:30 - he Psalms 18:14 - he shot Psalms 29:7 - flames Jeremiah 10:13 - uttereth Matthew 8:9 - Go Matthew 24:27 - as

Verse 36

Who hath put: Job 32:8, Psalms 51:6, Proverbs 2:6, Ecclesiastes 2:26, James 1:5, James 1:17

who hath given: Exodus 31:3, Exodus 36:1, Exodus 36:2, Isaiah 28:26

Verse 37

number: Genesis 15:5, Psalms 147:4

or who: Genesis 8:1, Genesis 9:15

stay: Heb. cause to lie down

Reciprocal: Genesis 8:2 - the rain Job 26:8 - bindeth up Job 36:29 - the spreadings Job 37:13 - whether Psalms 104:13 - watereth Jeremiah 5:24 - that giveth

Verse 38

groweth into hardness: or, is turned into mire, Heb. is poured

Reciprocal: Job 37:13 - whether

Verse 39

Wilt: Job 4:10, Job 4:11, Psalms 34:10, Psalms 104:21, Psalms 145:15, Psalms 145:16

appetite: Heb. life

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:24 - Let Genesis 1:30 - General Numbers 24:9 - couched Psalms 8:8 - The fowl Proverbs 6:7 - General

Verse 40

Genesis 49:9, Numbers 23:24, Numbers 24:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:24 - Let

Verse 41

Psalms 104:27, Psalms 104:28, Psalms 147:9, Matthew 6:26, Luke 12:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:21 - General Genesis 8:7 - a raven Genesis 16:11 - hath Leviticus 11:13 - the eagle 1 Kings 17:4 - I have commanded Psalms 50:11 - know Psalms 104:21 - seek Joel 1:20 - cry