Job 38:2-12

2 "Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man, For I will question you, then you answer me!

4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined the measures of it, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it?

6 Whereupon were the foundations of it fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,

7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 "Or who shut up the sea with doors, When it broke forth from the womb,

9 When I made clouds the garment of it, Thick darkness a swaddling-band for it,

10 Marked out for it my bound, Set bars and doors,

11 And said, 'Here you may come, but no further; Here shall your proud waves be stayed?'

12 "Have you commanded the morning in your days, And caused the dawn to know its 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.