Job 38:32

32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth[a] in their season, or can you guide 1the Bear with its children?

Job 38:32 Meaning and Commentary

Job 38:32

Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season?
&c.] Which are thought to be the same with "the chambers of the south", ( Job 9:9 ) ; the southern pole F13 with its stars, signified by chambers, because hidden from our sight in this part of the globe; and here by Mazzaroth, from, "nazar", to separate, because separated and at a distance from us; some think F14 the twelve signs of the Zodiac are meant, each of which are brought forth in their season, not by men, but by the Lord; see ( Isaiah 40:26 ) ;

or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
a constellation of many stars called its sons, of which see ( Job 9:9 ) . Schmidt conjectures that Jupiter and his satellites are meant; but rather what we call the greater and lesser Bear, in the tail of which is the north pole star, the guide of mariners, said F15 to be found out by Thales, by which the Phoenicians sailed, but is not to be guided by men; this, constellation is fancied to be in the form of a wain or wagon, and is called Charles's wain; could this be admitted, there might be thought to be an allusion to it F16, and the sense be, canst thou guide and lead this constellation, as a wagon or team of horses can be guided and led? stars have their courses, ( Judges 5:20 ) ; but are not steered, guided, and directed by men, but by the Lord himself.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 David de Pomis, Lexic. fol. 77. 3.
F14 Vatablus, Codurcus, Schultens; so Suidas in voce (mazouray) .
F15 Callimachus apud Laert. Vit. Thalet. p. 16.
F16 Vid. Hinckelman. Praefat. ad Alkoran. p. 29, 30.

Job 38:32 In-Context

30 The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?
33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you?

Cross References 1

  • 1. [See ver. 31 above]

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Probably the name of a constellation
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.