Job 38:4

4 Where were thou, when I set the foundaments of the earth? (when I made the foundations of the earth?) show thou to me, if thou hast understanding.

Job 38:4 Meaning and Commentary

Job 38:4

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
&c.] The earth has foundations, and such firm ones that it cannot be moved; but what are they, since it is hung in the air on nothing! No other than the power and will of God, who laid these foundations, and the Son of God, who has created and upholds all things by the word of his power, ( Hebrews 1:3 Hebrews 1:10 ) . Where was Job then? In a state of nothingness, a mere nonentity: he was not present when this amazing work of nature was done, and saw not how the Lord went about it; and yet takes upon him to dive into the secret works and ways of Providence, for which he is rebuked by this question and the following;

declare, if thou hast understanding:
Job had the understanding of a man in things natural and civil, and of a good man in things spiritual and divine; but he had no understanding of this, of what he is questioned about; could not declare in what place he was, and where he stood, when the earth was founded.

Job 38:4 In-Context

2 Who is this man, wrapping together sentences with unwise words?

3 Gird thou as a man thy loins; I shall ask thee, and answer thou [to] me. (Gird thou up thy loins like a man; I shall ask thee, and thou shalt answer me.)

4 Where were thou, when I set the foundaments of the earth? (when I made the foundations of the earth?) show thou to me, if thou hast understanding.

5 Who setted [the] measure(ment)s thereof, if thou knowest? either who stretched forth a line thereupon?

6 Upon what thing be the foundaments thereof made (stead)fast? either who sent down the cornerstone thereof,