Job 38:30-40

30 The waters harden as stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

32 Canst thou bring forth the signs of the heavens in their season, or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

33 Dost thou know the ordinances of the heavens? Canst thou use its power in the earth?

34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?

36 Who put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who gave intelligence to understanding?

37 Who declared the heavens in wisdom? Or who can stay the bottles of heaven

38 when the dust hardens and the clods cleave fast together?

39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion or fill the appetite of the young lions,

40 when they crouch in their dens and abide in their lairs to lie in wait?

Job 38:30-40 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.