Job 38:3-5

3 "Now 1gird up your loins like a man, And 2I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
4 "Where were you 3when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,
5 Who set its 4measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it?

Job 38:3-5 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.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Job 40:7
  • 2. Job 42:4
  • 3. Job 15:7; Psalms 104:5; Proverbs 8:29; Proverbs 30:4
  • 4. Proverbs 8:29; Isaiah 40:12

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "know understanding"
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.