Job 38:2-12

2 Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in heart, and thinks to conceal from me?

3 Gird thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.

4 Where wast thou when I founded the earth? tell me now, if thou hast knowledge,

5 who set the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who stretched a line upon it?

6 On what are its rings fastened? and who is he that laid the corner-stone upon it?

7 When the stars were made, all my angels praised me with a loud voice.

8 And I shut up the sea with gates, when it rushed out, coming forth out its mother's womb.

9 And I made a cloud its clothing, and swathed it in mist.

10 And I set bounds to it, surrounding it with bars and gates.

11 And I said to it, Hitherto shalt thou come, but thou shalt not go beyond, but thy waves shall be confined within thee.

12 Or did I order the morning light in thy time; and the morning star see his appointed place;

Job 38:2-12 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.