Job 37:18

18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky [which is] strong, [and] as a molten looking-glass?

Job 37:18 Meaning and Commentary

Job 37:18

Hast thou with him spread out the sky?
&c.] Wast thou concerned with him at the first spreading out of the sky? wast thou an assistant to him in it? did he not spread it as a curtain or canopy about himself, without the help of another? verily he did; see ( Job 9:8 ) ( Isaiah 44:24 ) ;

[which] is strong:
for though it seems a fluid and thin, is very firm and strong, as appears by what it bears, and are contained in it; and therefore is called "the firmament of his power", ( Psalms 150:1 ) ;

[and] as a molten looking glass;
clear and transparent, like the looking glasses of the women, made of molten brass, ( Exodus 38:8 ) ; and firm and permanent ^F21; and a glass this is in which the glory of God, and his divine perfections, is to be seen; and is one of the wondrous works of God, made for the display of his own glory, and the benefit of men, ( Psalms 19:1 ) . Or this may respect the spreading out a clear serene sky, and smoothing it after it has been covered and ruffled with storms and tempests; which is such a wonderful work of God, that man has no hand in.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (calkeov ouranov) . Pindar. Nem. Ode 6.

Job 37:18 In-Context

16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

17 How thy garments [are] warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south [wind]?

18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky [which is] strong, [and] as a molten looking-glass?

19 Teach us what we shall say to him; [for] we cannot order [our speech] by reason of darkness.

20 Shall it be told him that I speak? If a man shall speak, surely he will be swallowed up.