Job 38:38

38 When the dust hardens in clumps, And the clods cling 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 has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust hardens in clumps, And the clods cling together?
39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they crouch in their dens, Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.