King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Stand up like a man, and brace yourself; I will ask questions; and you, give the answers!
Berean Standard Bible:
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.
American Standard Version:
Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Gird up{H247} now thy loins{H2504} like a man{H1397}; for I will demand{H7592} of thee, and answer{H3045} thou me.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 40:7
- Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Exodus 12:11
- And thus shall ye eat it; [with] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it [is] the LORD'S passover.
1 Peter 1:13
- ¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Jeremiah 1:17
- Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
1 Kings 18:46
- And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Job 13:15
- Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 23:3
- Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!
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Commentary for Job 38:3
Job 38:3 is part of the larger narrative of the Book of Job, which is set in a time period that is part of the patriarchal age, likely between the time of Abraham and Moses. The Book of Job wrestles with the age-old question of why suffering exists in the world, particularly innocent suffering, and whether it can be reconciled with the justice of God.
In the verse, "Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me," God is speaking directly to Job. This verse occurs after Job has endured severe suffering, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health, and after extensive dialogues with his friends who try to explain his suffering as a punishment for sin. Job, however, maintains his innocence and challenges God to provide an explanation for his unjust suffering.
The phrase "gird up now thy loins" is a metaphorical call for Job to prepare himself for a significant challenge. In the historical context, girding one's loins meant to tuck the garment into a belt or girdle to allow for freedom of movement, indicative of readiness for action, service, or struggle. God is essentially telling Job to brace himself for a rigorous exchange, implying that Job is about to be confronted with questions that will challenge his understanding of the world and his place in it.
The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty and majesty of God, the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine wisdom, and the call to courage and integrity in the midst of suffering. God's demand for answers is not meant to belittle Job but to highlight the vast difference between divine omniscience and human knowledge. This sets the stage for a series of rhetorical questions posed by God in the subsequent chapters, which reveal the complexity of creation and the Creator's governance over it, ultimately leading Job to a deeper recognition of his own finitude and the inscrutability 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)
- Strong's Number: H247
There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָזַר
Transliteration: ʼâzar
Pronunciation: aw-zar'
Description: a primitive root; to belt; bind (compass) about, gird (up, with). - Strong's Number: H2504
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלָץ
Transliteration: châlâts
Pronunciation: khaw-lawts'
Description: from חָלַץ (in the sense of strength); only in the dual; the loins (as the seat of vigor); loins, reins. - Strong's Number: H1397
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֶּבֶר
Transliteration: geber
Pronunciation: gheh'-ber
Description: from גָּבַר; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply; every one, man, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.