Job 38:12-22

12 "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place,

13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

14 It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment.

15 From the wicked their light is withheld, And the upraised arm is broken.

16 "Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.

19 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place,

20 That you may take it to its territory, That you may know the paths to its home?

21 Do you know it, because you were born then, Or because the number of your days is great?

22 "Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail,

Job 38:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 38

In this chapter the Lord takes up the controversy with Job; calls upon him to prepare to engage with him in it, and demands an answer to posing questions he puts to him, concerning the earth and the fabric of it, Job 38:1-7; concerning the sea, compared to an infant in embryo, at its birth, in its swaddling bands and cradle, Job 38:8-11; concerning the morning light, its spread and influence, Job 38:12-15; concerning the springs of the sea, the dark parts of the earth, the place both of light and darkness, Job 38:16-21; concerning the various meteors, snow, hail, rain, thunder, lightning, and the influences of the stars, Job 38:22-38; and concerning provision for lions and ravens, Job 38:40,41.