Job38

In Job 38, the LORD answers Job out of a whirlwind, challenging his understanding and wisdom. God begins by questioning Job's presence and knowledge during the creation of the earth, the containment of the sea, and the establishment of the morning. Through a series of rhetorical questions, God highlights His own omnipotence and Job's profound limitations in comprehending the natural world and its intricate workings.

The LORD Answers Job from the Whirlwind

1
And Jehovah answereth Job out of the whirlwind, and saith: --
2
Who is this--darkening counsel, By words without knowledge?
3
Gird, I pray thee, as a man, thy loins, And I ask thee, and cause thou Me to know.

God’s Questions on Creation and Design

4
Where wast thou when I founded earth? Declare, if thou hast known understanding.
5
Who placed its measures--if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched out upon it a line?
6
On what have its sockets been sunk? Or who hath cast its corner-stone?
7
In the singing together of stars of morning, And all sons of God shout for joy,
8
And He shutteth up with doors the sea, In its coming forth, from the womb it goeth out.
9
In My making a cloud its clothing, And thick darkness its swaddling band,
10
And I measure over it My statute, And place bar and doors,
11
And say, `Hitherto come thou, and add not, And a command is placed On the pride of thy billows.'

Control Over Light, Time, and Moral Order

12
Hast thou commanded morning since thy days? Causest thou the dawn to know its place?
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To take hold on the skirts of the earth, And the wicked are shaken out of it,
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It turneth itself as clay of a seal And they station themselves as clothed.
15
And withheld from the wicked is their light, And the arm lifted up is broken.

Exploring the Unknowable Depths of Creation

16
Hast thou come in to springs of the sea? And in searching the deep Hast thou walked up and down?
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Revealed to thee were the gates of death? And the gates of death-shade dost thou see?
18
Thou hast understanding, Even unto the broad places of earth! Declare--if thou hast known it all.
19
Where is this--the way light dwelleth? And darkness, where is this--its place?
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That thou dost take it unto its boundary, And that thou dost understand The paths of its house.
21
Thou hast known--for then thou art born And the number of thy days are many!

The Treasures of Snow, Hail, and Weather

22
Hast thou come in unto the treasure of snow? Yea, the treasures of hail dost thou see?
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That I have kept back for a time of distress, For a day of conflict and battle.
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Where is this, the way light is apportioned? It scattereth an east wind over the earth.
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Who hath divided for the flood a conduit? And a way for the lightning of the voices?
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To cause it to rain on a land--no man, A wilderness--no man in it.
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To satisfy a desolate and waste place, And to cause to shoot up The produce of the tender grass?
28
Hath the rain a father? Or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
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From whose belly came forth the ice? And the hoar-frost of the heavens, Who hath begotten it?
30
As a stone waters are hidden, And the face of the deep is captured.
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Dost thou bind sweet influences of Kimah? Or the attractions of Kesil dost thou open?
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Dost thou bring out Mazzaroth in its season? And Aysh for her sons dost thou comfort?
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Hast thou known the statutes of heaven? Or dost thou appoint Its dominion in the earth?
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Dost thou lift up to the cloud thy voice, And abundance of water doth cover thee?
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Dost thou send out lightnings, and they go And say unto thee, `Behold us?'

Source of Wisdom and Sustaining Providence

36
Who hath put in the inward parts wisdom? Or who hath given To the covered part understanding?
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Who doth number the clouds by wisdom? And the bottles of the heavens, Who doth cause to lie down,
38
In the hardening of dust into hardness, And clods cleave together?

Sustaining the Wild Animal Kingdom

39
Dost thou hunt for a lion prey? And the desire of young lions fulfil?
40
When they bow down in dens--Abide in a thicket for a covert?
41
Who doth prepare for a raven his provision, When his young ones cry unto God? They wander without food.
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