Job 37:18

18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

Job 37:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
ESV
18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror?
NLT
18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that?
MSG
18 So how could you even dream of making a dent in that hot-tin-roof sky?
CSB
18 can you help God spread out the skies as hard as a cast metal mirror?

Job 37:18 Meaning and Commentary

Job 37:18

Hast thou with him spread out the sky?
&c.] Wast thou concerned with him at the first spreading out of the sky? wast thou an assistant to him in it? did he not spread it as a curtain or canopy about himself, without the help of another? verily he did; see ( Job 9:8 ) ( Isaiah 44:24 ) ;

[which] is strong:
for though it seems a fluid and thin, is very firm and strong, as appears by what it bears, and are contained in it; and therefore is called "the firmament of his power", ( Psalms 150:1 ) ;

[and] as a molten looking glass;
clear and transparent, like the looking glasses of the women, made of molten brass, ( Exodus 38:8 ) ; and firm and permanent F21; and a glass this is in which the glory of God, and his divine perfections, is to be seen; and is one of the wondrous works of God, made for the display of his own glory, and the benefit of men, ( Psalms 19:1 ) . Or this may respect the spreading out a clear serene sky, and smoothing it after it has been covered and ruffled with storms and tempests; which is such a wonderful work of God, that man has no hand in.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (calkeov ouranov) . Pindar. Nem. Ode 6.

Job 37:18 In-Context

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 “Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 1:1,8; S Job 22:14; Job 9:8; Psalms 104:2; Isaiah 44:24
  • 2. Deuteronomy 28:23
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