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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Job 26:5–14. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The truth received a great deal of light from the dispute between Job and his friends concerning those points about which they differed; but now they are upon a subject in which they were all agreed, the infinite glory and power of God. How does truth triumph, and how brightly does it shine, when there appears no other strife between the contenders than which shall speak most highly and honourably of God and be most copious in showing forth his praise! It were well if all disputes about matters of religion might end thus, in glorifying God as Lord of all, and our Lord, with one mind and one mouth (Rom 15:6); for to that we have all attained, in that we are all agreed.
I.Many illustrious instances are here given of the wisdom and power of God in the creation and preservation of the world.
1.If we look about us, to the earth and waters here below, we shall see striking instances of omnipotence, which we may gather out of these verses.
(1.)He hangs the earth upon nothing, Job 26:7. The vast terraqueous globe neither rests upon any pillars nor hangs upon any axle-tree, and yet, by the almighty power of God, is firmly fixed in its place, poised with its own weight. The art of man could not hang a feather upon nothing, yet the divine wisdom hangs the whole earth so. It is ponderibus librata suis - poised by its own weight, so says the poet; it is upheld by the word of God's power, so says the apostle. What is hung upon nothing may serve us to set our feet on, and bear the weight of our bodies, but it will never serve us to set our hearts on, nor bear the weight of our souls.
(2.)He sets bounds to the waters of the sea, and compasses them in (Job 26:10), that they may not return to cover the earth; and these bounds shall continue unmoved, unshaken, unworn, till the day and night come to an end, when time shall be no more. Herein appears the dominion which Providence has over the raging waters of the sea, and so it is an instance of his power, Jer 5:22. We see too the care which Providence takes of the poor sinful inhabitants of the earth, who, though obnoxious to his justice and lying at his mercy, are thus preserved from being overwhelmed, as they were once by the waters of a flood, and will continue to be so, because they are reserved unto fire.
(3.)He forms dead things under the waters. Rephaim-giants, are formed under the waters, that is, vast creatures, of prodigious bulk, as whales, giant-like creatures, among the innumerable inhabitants of the water. So bishop Patrick.
(4.)By mighty storms and tempests he shakes the mountains, which are here called the pillars of heaven (Job 26:11), and even divides the sea, and smites through its proud waves, Job 26:12. At the presence of the Lord the sea flies and the mountains skip, Psa 114:3, Psa 114:4. See Hab 3:6, etc. A storm furrows the waters, and does, as it were, divide them; and then a calm smites through the waves, and lays them flat again. See Psa 89:9, Psa 89:10. Those who think Job lived at, or after, the time of Moses, apply this to the dividing of the Red Sea before the children of Israel, and the drowning of the Egyptians in it. By his understanding he smiteth through Rahab; so the word is, and Rahab is often put for Egypt; as Psa 87:4; Isa 51:9.
2.If we consider hell beneath, though it is out of our sight, yet we may conceive the instances of God's power there. By hell and destruction (Job 26:6) we may understand the grave, and those who are buried in it, that they are under the eye of God, though laid out of our sight, which may strengthen our belief of the resurrection of the dead. God knows where to find, and whence to fetch, all the scattered atoms of the consumed body. We may also consider them as referring to the place of the damned, where the separate souls of the wicked are in misery and torment. That is hell and destruction, which are said to be before the Lord (Pro 15:11), and here to be naked before him, to which it is probable there is an allusion, Rev 14:10, where sinners are to be tormented in the presence of the holy angels (who attended the Shechinah) and in the presence of the Lamb. And this may give light to Job 26:5, which some ancient versions read thus (and I think more agreeably to the signification of the word Rephaim): Behold, the giants groan under the waters, and those that dwell with them; and then follows, Hell is naked before him, typified by the drowning of the giants of the old world; so the learned Mr. Joseph Mede understands it, and with it illustrates Pro 21:16, where hell is called the congregation of the dead; and it is the same word which is here used, and which he would there have rendered the congregation of the giants, in allusion to the drowning of the sinners of the old world. And is there any thing in which the majesty of God appears more dreadful than in the eternal ruin of the ungodly and the groans of the inhabitants of the land of darkness? Those that will not with angels fear and worship shall for ever with devils fear and tremble; and God therein will be glorified.
3.If we look up to heaven above, we shall see instances of God's sovereignty and power.
(1.)He stretches out the north over the empty place, Job 26:7. So he did at first, when he stretched out the heavens like a curtain (Psa 104:2); and he still continues to keep them stretched out, and will do so till the general conflagration, when they shall be rolled together as a scroll, Rev 6:14. He mentions the north because his country (as ours) lay in the northern hemisphere; and the air is the empty place over which it is stretched out. See Psa 89:12. What an empty place is this world in comparison with the other!
(2.)He keeps the waters that are said to be above the firmament from pouring down upon the earth, as once they did (Job 26:8): He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, as if they were tied closely in a bag, till there is occasion to use them; and, notwithstanding the vast weight of water so raised and laid up, yet the cloud is not rent under them, for then they would burst and pour out as a spout; but they do, as it were, distil through the cloud, and so come drop by drop, in mercy to the earth, in small rain, or great rain, as he pleases.
(3.)He conceals the glory of the upper world, the dazzling lustre of which we poor mortals could not bear (Job 26:9): He holds back the face of his throne, that light in which he dwells, and spreads a cloud upon it, through which he judges, Job 22:13. God will have us to live by faith, not by sense; for this is agreeable to a state of probation. It were not a fair trial if the face of God's throne were visible now as it will be in the great day.
Lest his high throne, above expression bright,
With deadly glory should oppress our sight,
To break the dazzling force he draws a screen
Of sable shades, and spreads his clouds between.
- Sir R. Blackmore
(4.)The bright ornaments of heaven are the work of his hands (Job 26:13): By his Spirit, the eternal Spirit that moved upon the face of the waters, the breath of his mouth (Psa 33:6), he has garnished the heavens, not only made them, but beautified them, has curiously bespangled them with stars by night and painted them with the light of the sun by day. God, having made man to look upward (Os homini sublime dedit - To man he gave an erect countenance), has therefore garnished the heavens, to invite him to look upward, that, by pleasing his eye with the dazzling light of the sun and the sparkling light of the stars, their number, order, and various magnitudes, which, as so many golden studs, beautify the canopy drawn over our heads, he may be led to admire the great Creator, the Father and fountain of lights, and to say, "If the pavement be so richly inlaid, what must the palace be! If the visible heavens be so glorious, what are those that are out of sight!" From the beauteous garniture of the ante-chamber we may infer the precious furniture of the presence-chamber. If stars be so bright, what are angels! What is meant here by the crooked serpent which his hands have formed is not certain. Some make it part of the garnishing of the heavens, the milky-way, say some; some particular constellation, so called, say others. It is the same word that is used for leviathan (Isa 27:1), and probably may be meant of the whale or crocodile, in which appears much of the power of the Creator; and why may not Job conclude with that inference, when God himself does so? ch. 41.
II.He concludes, at last, with an awful et caetera (Job 26:14):
Lo, these are parts of his ways, the out-goings of his wisdom and power, the ways in which he walks and by which he makes himself known to the children of men. Here,
1.He acknowledges, with adoration, the discoveries that were made of God. These things which he himself had said, and which Bildad had said, are his ways, and this is heard of him; this is something of God. But,
2.He admires the depth of that which is undiscovered. This that we have said is but part of his ways, a small part. What we know of God is nothing in comparison with what is in God and what God is. After all the discoveries which God has made to us, and all the enquiries we have made after God, still we are much in the dark concerning him, and must conclude, Lo, these are but parts of his ways. Something we hear of him by his works and by his word; but, alas! how little a portion is heard of him? heard by us, heard from us! We know but in part; we prophesy but in part. When we have said all we can, concerning God, we must even do as St. Paul does (Rom 11:33); despairing to find the bottom, we must sit down at the brink, and adore the depth: O the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God! It is but a little portion that we hear and know of God in our present state. He is infinite and incomprehensible; our understandings and capacities are weak and shallow, and the full discoveries of the divine glory are reserved for the future state. Even the thunder of his power (that is, his powerful thunder), one of the lowest of his ways here in our own region, we cannot understand. See Job 37:4, Job 37:5. Much less can we understand the utmost force and extent of his power, the terrible efforts and operations of it, and particularly the power of his anger, Psa 90:11. God is great, and we know him not.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
“He stretches out the north wind upon nothing, and he upon nothing hangs the earth.” Indeed the support of the earth is nothing but an understructure, but it is suspended and is sustained by divine will. “Binding water in his clouds, and the cloud is not dispersed under it.” In fact, if he does not order the clouds to rain, they do not release rain on earth in the quantity that has been ordered by him. “He constrains the elements with his purposes hidden, stretching out his cloud upon them.” Heaven is often called “the throne of God” in holy Scripture. Air is placed before the face of heaven. Therefore, he says that God, by containing the air and expanding the clouds, does not allow them to release rain, if not in the measure that he knows to be convenient and useful.
34. By the title of the ‘north,’ in Holy Writ the devil is used to be designated, who with the thought to bind up the hearts of the nations with the iciness of insensibility, said, I will sit also upon the mount of the Covenant, in the sides of the north. [Is. 14, 13] And he is ‘stretched over the empty place,’ because he has possession of those hearts, that are not filled with the grace of the love of God. Yet is it competent to Almighty God, that even those vessels of the devil, empty of every virtue, He may fill with the gift of His grace, and deposit the solid substance of Divine fear in those persons, whom He does not see stablished by any conduct of righteousness. Hence it is fitly added;
And hangeth the earth upon nothing.
35. For what is denoted by the title of ‘earth,’ saving Holy Church; who, whilst she receives the words of preaching, renders back the fruit of good works? Whereof it is said by Moses, Let the earth hear the words out of my lips, let my speech be looked for like the rain. [Deut. 32, 1. 2.] And what but the several gentile peoples are denoted by ‘nothing,’ of whom it is spoken by the Prophet, All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted to Him less than nothing. [Is. 40, 17] In that ‘nothing,’ then, is ‘the earth hung suspended,’ which before, being a void place, was occupied by the ‘north;’ because those hearts of the Gentiles became filled with the love of God, which had been aforetime weighed down by a deadness of the devil. But it may be that both by this ‘empty place,’ the infidelity of Judaea is denoted, and by ‘the earth,’ as we said, the propagation of Holy Church. Thus let the holy man look at the fall of Judaea in her perishing, and espy the privileges of the gentile world brought back to pardon, and let him say, He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. For because the hearts of the Gentiles, being void of faith, were made subject to the devil, ‘He stretched the north over the empty place;’ and because, there being no merits forthcoming, (as it is said, For nothing shalt Thou save them, [Ps. 56, 7. Vulg.]) upon the Gentiles the Lord founded His Church, which same Gentiles are by the Prophet called ‘nothing,’ in pursuing the subject he rightly adds, And hangeth the earth upon nothing. Now in what order this thing was done, he continues in subjoining with wonderful method.
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Summary
Job 26:7 stands as a profound declaration of God's unparalleled power and wisdom in creation, articulated by Job himself amidst his intense dialogue with his friends. This verse offers a remarkably prescient cosmological statement, depicting God's sovereign act of extending the northern sky over a void and suspending the Earth in space without any physical support, thereby emphasizing divine omnipotence and the unfathomable nature of the Creator's ways.
Context
Literary Context
Job 26 is a pivotal part of Job's final and most comprehensive response to his friends, specifically following Bildad's brief and somewhat dismissive speech in Job 25. Throughout the preceding chapters, Job's friends have primarily focused on God's justice as it relates to human sin and suffering, implying Job's affliction is a direct consequence of his transgressions. In stark contrast, Job consistently redirects the conversation to God's incomprehensible power and majesty over creation, arguing that divine ways are far beyond human understanding and cannot be neatly categorized by human logic. Job 26:7 serves as a powerful rhetorical flourish, providing a concrete illustration of God's absolute control over the cosmos. This demonstration of God's unfathomable creative and sustaining power reinforces Job's central argument that God's greatness is not merely in His justice but in His mysterious and transcendent wisdom, making it impossible for humans to fully grasp the reasons for suffering or to judge divine actions.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, various cosmologies attempted to explain the structure of the universe, often reflecting a limited understanding of celestial mechanics. Common beliefs typically depicted the Earth as a flat disc resting on physical supports such as pillars, a vast subterranean ocean, or even carried on the backs of mythological creatures. The sky was frequently conceived as a solid dome or "firmament" (Hebrew: raqia') above the Earth, serving to hold back celestial waters. Within this prevailing worldview, Job's declaration that God "hangeth the earth upon nothing" is extraordinarily unique and remarkably advanced. It stands in stark contrast to these contemporary ancient models, suggesting a divine revelation that transcended the human scientific and philosophical understanding of the cosmos at that time. This statement would have been counter-cultural and profoundly counter-intuitive, highlighting the distinctiveness of the biblical understanding of creation and God's absolute sovereignty over it.
Key Themes
Job 26:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty, presenting God as the ultimate architect and sustainer of the universe, capable of creating and upholding the vast cosmos without any external aid or visible support. This speaks to a God whose power is limitless and whose control over creation is absolute. Secondly, it highlights God's Unfathomable Wisdom, showcasing a divine knowledge of the universe that far surpasses human understanding, especially for its time. The intricate design and maintenance of creation, as described, point to a wisdom that is beyond human comprehension, a theme echoed in passages like Isaiah 40:22, which describes God sitting above the circle of the earth. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to Biblical Foresight and Accuracy, as its description of the Earth suspended in space without physical support remarkably aligns with modern astronomical understanding, predating scientific discovery by thousands of years. This unique insight suggests a divinely inspired perspective on the natural world, reinforcing the Bible's authority and truthfulness. Finally, it reinforces the theme of Human Limitations, demonstrating that humanity's capacity to comprehend God's ways, particularly in creation and providence, is inherently limited, prompting humility and awe in the face of divine majesty.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain; confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness. This term, famously found in Genesis 1:2 to describe the primordial state of the earth, denotes a state of formlessness, desolation, or void. In Job 26:7, its application to the "north" (celestial expanse) suggests that God's creative power extends even to regions of apparent emptiness or chaos, bringing order and structure where there was none. It emphasizes that God does not require pre-existing materials or order to establish His dominion; He creates and commands even the void itself, transforming it into a structured cosmos.
A primitive root; to suspend (especially to gibbet); hang (up). This verb vividly portrays the act of suspending something from above without visible support. In the context of the Earth, it underscores the miraculous, supernatural nature of its stability, held not by physical means but solely by divine power and will, defying the ancient world's understanding of cosmology. The image evokes a sense of effortless divine control over the immense forces of the universe.
From בְּלִי and מָה; (as indefinitely) nothing whatever; nothing. This unique term, a hapax legomenon (occurring only once) in the Hebrew Bible, powerfully conveys the absolute absence of any physical or tangible support for the Earth. It stands in stark contrast to ancient cosmologies that posited pillars, waters, or mythological creatures supporting the Earth. The use of bᵉlîymâh underscores the miraculous, supernatural nature of the Earth's suspension, attributing its stability solely to divine power and will. This word is a profound theological statement on God's self-sufficiency and the unassisted nature of His creative and sustaining work.
Verse Breakdown
"He stretcheth out the north over the empty place"
This clause describes God's expansive dominion over the celestial realm. The "north" (צָפוֹן, tsaphon) in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts often referred to the northern celestial regions, sometimes associated with the pole star or even considered the dwelling place of God. The act of "stretching out" (נָטָה, nâṭâh) implies an act of creation, ordering, and establishing, signifying God's active involvement in forming the cosmos. By stretching it "over the empty place" (tôhûw), the verse highlights God's ability to command and organize even the formless void, bringing structure and existence to what was previously nothing, demonstrating His absolute control over the vastness of the cosmos.
"and hangeth the earth upon nothing"
This is the most striking and scientifically prescient part of the verse. The verb "hangeth" (תָּלָה, tâlâh) implies suspension, as if an object is suspended from above without visible support. The phrase "upon nothing" (bᵉlîymâh) radically asserts that the Earth floats freely in space, held in place by no physical means, but solely by divine will and power. This statement is a profound testament to God's supernatural power and control, revealing an understanding of the Earth's celestial position that far predates human scientific discovery and stands in stark contrast to the prevailing ancient cosmological views. It emphasizes God's unique ability to sustain creation by His mere word and power, without any visible mechanism.
Literary Devices
Job 26:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message regarding God's cosmic power. Hyperbole is evident in the description of God's ability to suspend the Earth on "nothing," emphasizing the vastness and incomprehensibility of His creative acts beyond human understanding. This exaggeration serves to magnify God's omnipotence and the miraculous nature of His sustaining power. Metaphor is central to the imagery, as the Earth is metaphorically "hung" as if it were an object suspended by an invisible thread, vividly illustrating its unsupported state in space. The phrase "empty place" for the northern sky also functions metaphorically to convey a vast, unformed expanse that God brings into order and fills with His presence. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of Anthropomorphism, as God is described as "stretching out" and "hanging," attributing human-like actions to the divine to make His cosmic work relatable and comprehensible, even as the ultimate reality of His power remains beyond full human grasp. These devices collectively amplify the awe-inspiring nature of God's creative and sustaining power, inviting the reader to contemplate His majesty with reverence.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Job 26:7 offers a breathtaking glimpse into the nature of God as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. It transcends mere scientific observation, serving as a powerful theological statement about divine omnipotence, wisdom, and sovereignty. The verse asserts that God's power is not limited by pre-existing conditions or the need for physical support; rather, He brings order out of chaos and sustains existence by His sheer will. This truth invites humanity to a posture of humility and worship, recognizing that the God who can suspend an entire planet upon nothing is utterly beyond human comprehension and control. It reinforces the biblical teaching that creation itself is a continuous act of divine power and that the stability of the universe rests solely on God's unwavering faithfulness. The profound mystery of the universe's existence and order is attributed not to natural laws alone, but to the constant, active power of the Creator.
Reflection and Application
The profound imagery of Job 26:7 invites us to pause and contemplate the sheer magnitude of God's power and wisdom. If the Creator of the universe can effortlessly suspend an entire planet in the vastness of space "upon nothing," then what challenge in our lives could possibly be too great for Him to handle? This verse calls us to a deeper trust in God's sovereign care, reminding us that the same divine power that upholds the cosmos is intimately involved in sustaining our individual lives, providing for our needs, and guiding us through every circumstance. In moments of doubt, fear, or overwhelming difficulty, reflecting on God's cosmic power as displayed in Job 26:7 can instill a profound sense of peace and security, knowing that our lives are held in the hands of an infinitely wise and powerful God. It cultivates a spirit of humility, recognizing our smallness in the face of His greatness, and inspires worship for a God whose ways and works are truly unfathomable, yet who cares for His creation with meticulous detail and unwavering faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was Job 26:7 scientifically accurate for its time?
Yes, Job 26:7 is remarkably prescient and scientifically accurate, especially considering the ancient context in which it was written. While many ancient cosmologies depicted the Earth resting on physical supports like pillars, waters, or mythological creatures, Job's declaration that God "hangeth the earth upon nothing" aligns perfectly with modern astronomical understanding of the Earth floating in space, held by gravitational forces. This statement predates scientific discovery by thousands of years, suggesting a divinely inspired insight into the true nature of the cosmos rather than a product of contemporary human observation or theory. It highlights the unique insights found within biblical texts regarding the natural world, demonstrating a knowledge far beyond human capacity at the time.
What is the significance of "the north" in this verse?
The "north" (צָפוֹן, tsaphon) in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts often referred to the northern celestial regions, sometimes associated with the pole star or even considered the dwelling place of God (e.g., Psalm 48:2). In Job 26:7, "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place" likely signifies God's dominion over the entire celestial expanse, particularly the vast, seemingly uninhabited regions of the heavens. It emphasizes that God's creative power extends to all parts of the heavens, even those perceived as a void or unformed (tôhûw), bringing order and existence to the vast, seemingly empty spaces of the cosmos. It underscores the boundless nature of God's creative reach and His ability to establish order even where there appears to be none.
How does Job 26:7 contribute to Job's overall argument in the book?
Job 26:7 is a crucial part of Job's argument that God's ways are unfathomable and His power is beyond human comprehension. Throughout the book, Job's friends attempt to explain his suffering through a simplistic retribution theology (suffering equals sin). Job, however, consistently points to God's immense and mysterious power in creation as evidence that divine actions cannot be neatly categorized or understood by human logic. By describing God's ability to suspend the Earth on "nothing" and stretch the heavens over a void, Job highlights God's absolute sovereignty and wisdom, which far transcend human wisdom. This serves to humble his friends and underscore the limitations of human understanding when attempting to grasp the complexities of God's justice and providence, especially in the context of suffering. It shifts the focus from human sin to divine majesty, asserting that God's greatness is an undeniable truth, regardless of human circumstances, and that His ways are ultimately inscrutable to humanity.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Job 26:7, with its awe-inspiring depiction of God's power in suspending the Earth upon nothing, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that the very God who "stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing" is the Triune God, and that Christ Himself is the active agent in this cosmic creation and ongoing sustenance. John 1:3 declares that "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." More explicitly, Colossians 1:16-17 states that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This means the very power that keeps the Earth suspended in space, defying natural explanation, is the power of Christ. The "nothing" upon which the Earth hangs is upheld by the "word of his power" (as Hebrews 1:3 describes Christ sustaining all things). Therefore, the mysterious, unfathomable power of God revealed in Job is not an abstract force, but is personified and made accessible in Jesus, the Son who is the exact imprint of God's nature and the one through whom the universe finds its coherence and continued existence. The Creator of the cosmos is the Redeemer of humanity, inviting us to trust in the same power that hangs the Earth upon nothing to sustain our lives and secure our salvation.