Job 38:38

38 when the dust hardens and the clods cleave fast together?

Job 38:38 Meaning and Commentary

Job 38:38

When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast
together?
] When the dust is attenuated, and ground, as it were, into powder; and the clods cleave together, as if glued, as in a drought for want of rain: or the bottles of heaven being unstopped and poured out; or

``sprinkling the dust with this sprinkling,''

as Mr. Broughton. Or rather, pouring on the dust with pouring; that is, pouring down rain, by unstopping the bottles of heaven. The dust, as meal, by water poured into it, cements, unites, and is compacted, and becomes earth, that may be cultivated; is clodded and cleaves together, and may be ploughed and sown.

Job 38:38 In-Context

36 Who put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who gave intelligence to understanding?
37 Who declared the heavens in wisdom? Or who can stay the bottles of heaven
38 when the dust hardens and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens and abide in their lairs to lie in wait?
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010