Job 38:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm raised [to strike] is broken.

Berean Standard Bible:

Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken.

American Standard Version:

And from the wicked their light is withholden, And the high arm is broken.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And from the wicked^{H7563} their light^{H216} is withholden^{H4513}, and the high^{H7311} arm^{H2220} shall be broken^{H7665}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Job 38:15

Job 38:15 is part of a larger discourse in the Book of Job, where God is responding to Job out of a whirlwind after Job and his friends have been debating the reasons for Job's undeserved suffering. The book itself is set in a narrative framework and is one of the poetic books in the Hebrew Bible, known for its exploration of the themes of innocent suffering, the justice of God, and human piety.

In the context of Job 38, God is not directly answering Job's questions about why he is suffering, but instead is challenging Job's understanding and the limits of human knowledge. God's speech, which begins in chapter 38 and continues through chapter 41, questions Job with a series of rhetorical inquiries about the natural world, emphasizing the mysteries of creation and God's sovereignty over all things.

The verse in question, Job 38:15, can be understood in the broader context of God's discourse on the nature of wickedness and righteousness. The phrase "And from the wicked their light is withholden" suggests that the wicked will not experience the enlightenment or blessings that come from living a righteous life. The "light" here may symbolize life, understanding, or prosperity. The second part of the verse, "and the high arm shall be broken," implies that the strength and pride of the wicked—symbolized by the "high arm"—will ultimately be defeated or humbled. This aligns with the book's overarching themes, where the suffering of the righteous and the prosperity of the wicked are central concerns.

Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), and it reflects the intellectual and theological debates of that period. The verse reflects a wisdom tradition that seeks to understand the moral order of the universe and the nature of divine justice, a theme that resonates with other wisdom literature in the Bible, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

In summary, Job 38:15 is a part of God's response to Job, highlighting the theme that the wicked will ultimately face consequences for their actions, while also underscoring the mysterious and inscrutable nature of divine wisdom and justice. The historical context of the verse is rooted in the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, which grapples with the complexities of human suffering and the nature of God's ways.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7563
   There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָשָׁע
   Transliteration: râshâʻ
   Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
   Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
   
2. Strong's Number: H216
   There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹר
   Transliteration: ʼôwr
   Pronunciation: ore
   Description: from אוֹר; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4513
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָנַע
   Transliteration: mânaʻ
   Pronunciation: maw-nah'
   Description: a primitive root; to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury; deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain, withhold.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7311
   There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּם
   Transliteration: rûwm
   Pronunciation: room
   Description: a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2220
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זְרוֹעַ
   Transliteration: zᵉrôwaʻ
   Pronunciation: zer-o'-ah
   Description: or (shortened) זְרֹעַ; and (feminine) זְרוֹעָה; or זְרֹעָה; from זָרַע; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force; arm, [phrase] help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7665
   There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁבַר
   Transliteration: shâbar
   Pronunciation: shaw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for שָׂבַר).