King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
Complete Jewish Bible:
Who cut a channel for the downpours, or a way for the lightning and thunder,
Berean Standard Bible:
Who cuts a channel for the flood or clears a path for the thunderbolt,
American Standard Version:
Who hath cleft a channel for the waterflood, Or the way for the lightning of the thunder;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Who hath divided{H6385} a watercourse{H8585} for the overflowing of waters{H7858}, or a way{H1870} for the lightning{H2385} of thunder{H6963};
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 28:26
- When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
Psalms 29:3
- The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD [is] upon many waters.
Psalms 29:10
- The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
Job 36:27
- For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
Job 36:28
- Which the clouds do drop [and] distil upon man abundantly.
Job 37:3
- He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
Job 37:6
- ¶ For he saith to the snow, Be thou [on] the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 38:25
Job 38:25 is a part of the speech given by God to Job, which spans from Chapter 38 to Chapter 41 in the Book of Job. This speech comes as a response to Job's questioning of God's justice in the face of his undeserved suffering. The Book of Job is one of the Wisdom Books in the Hebrew Bible and is renowned for its exploration of theodicy—the vindication of divine providence in the presence of evil.
In Job 38:25, God is challenging Job's understanding and wisdom by asking rhetorical questions that highlight the mysteries of creation and the limits of human knowledge. The verse specifically addresses the divine management of natural phenomena: the division of watercourses to guide the flow of rainwater and the path of lightning during thunderstorms. This speaks to the themes of God's sovereignty over nature and the intricate design inherent in the world's ecosystems.
The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with estimates of its composition ranging from the second millennium to the Persian period (539–333 BCE). The narrative is set in the land of Uz, which is traditionally associated with the region of Edom, south of Israel. The character of Job is depicted as a man of great wealth and piety, whose faith is tested through severe trials, including the loss of his children, possessions, and health.
In the broader context of the speech, Job 38:25 is part of a series of questions that God poses to Job to illustrate the complexity and majesty of the created world. These questions are meant to humble Job and to underscore the idea that human beings, with their limited perspective, cannot fully comprehend the ways of God. The verse emphasizes the divine wisdom and power that govern the natural world, implicitly suggesting that if Job cannot understand these earthly matters, he should also acknowledge that he cannot fully grasp the divine justice that governs human affairs.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6385
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּלַג
Transliteration: pâlag
Pronunciation: paw-lag'
Description: a primitive root; to split (literally or figuratively); divide. - Strong's Number: H8585
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּעָלָה
Transliteration: tᵉʻâlâh
Pronunciation: teh-aw-law'
Description: from עָלָה; a channel (into which water is raised for irrigation); also a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound); conduit, cured, healing, little river, trench, watercourse. - Strong's Number: H7858
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁטֶף
Transliteration: sheṭeph
Pronunciation: sheh'-tef
Description: or שֵׁטֶף; from שָׁטַף; a deluge (literally or figuratively); flood, outrageous, overflowing. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H2385
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲזִיז
Transliteration: chăzîyz
Pronunciation: khaw-zeez'
Description: from an unused root meaning to glare; a flash of lightning; bright cloud, lightning. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.