Job 9:6-9

6 He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He is the Maker of the Bear[a] and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

Job 9:6-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.

Cross References 8

  • 1. S Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 2:21; Isaiah 13:13; Isaiah 24:18-20; Haggai 2:6; Amos 8:8; Hebrews 12:26
  • 2. S 2 Samuel 22:8; Job 26:14; Job 36:29; Job 37:4-5; Psalms 75:3; Habakkuk 3:4; Job 26:11
  • 3. Isaiah 34:4; Jeremiah 4:28; Joel 2:2,10,31; Joel 3:15; Zephaniah 1:15; Zechariah 14:6
  • 4. Isaiah 13:10; Jeremiah 4:23; Ezekiel 32:8
  • 5. S Genesis 1:1,8; S Isaiah 48:13; Genesis 1:6; Psalms 104:2-3
  • 6. Job 38:16; Psalms 77:19; Proverbs 8:28; Habakkuk 3:15; Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48; John 6:19
  • 7. Job 32:22; Job 40:15,19
  • 8. S Genesis 1:16; Job 38:31; Amos 5:8

Footnotes 1

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.