Job 38:14

14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.

Job 38:14 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
English Standard Version (ESV)
14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors.
The Message Bible (MSG)
14 As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes,
American Standard Version (ASV)
14 It is changed as clay under the seal; And [all things] stand forth as a garment:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
14 The earth changes like clay stamped by a seal, and [parts of it] stand out like [folds in] clothing.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
14 The earth is changed as clay is by a seal; [its hills] stand out like [the folds of] a garment.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal. Its features stand out like the different parts of your clothes.

Job 38:14 Meaning and Commentary

Job 38:14

It is turned as clay [to] the seal
As the clay receives a different form by the impress of the seal upon it, so the earth appears in a different manner by the spring of morning light upon it; in the darkness of the night nothing of its form and beauty is to be seen; it is a mere "tohu" and "bohu", like the chaos, ( Genesis 1:2 ) ; its rising hills, and spreading dales, and beautiful landscapes, cannot be observed with pleasure; but when the light breaks forth in the morning, it is seen in all its beauty and glory: of the change the light of the Gospel makes in men, see ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ) ;

and they stand as a garment;
or things stand upon it as a garment, as Mr. Broughton renders the words; herbs, plants, and trees, unseen in the night, stand up like a vesture to the earth in the morning light; and as they are clothed themselves, they are a garment to that, which now puts on another and beautiful habit; the pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys covered with corn, and the whole earth with light itself, as with a garment: and as beautifully do men made light in the Lord appear; see ( Isaiah 41:10 ) ( Revelation 3:4 Revelation 3:5 ) ( 12:1 ) .

Job 38:14 In-Context

12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Cross References 1

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