Job 38:2-12

2 "Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true?

3 Be strong like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me.

4 Where were you when I made the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off how big it should be? Surely you know! Who stretched a ruler across it?

6 What were the earth's foundations set on, or who put its cornerstone in place

7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted with joy?

8 "Who shut the doors to keep the sea in when it broke through and was born,

9 when I made the clouds like a coat for the sea and wrapped it in dark clouds,

10 when I put limits on the sea and put its doors and bars in place,

11 when I said to the sea, 'You may come this far, but no farther; this is where your proud waves must stop'?

12 "Have you ever ordered the morning to begin, or shown the dawn where its place was

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.