Job 26:8

KJV

He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

KJV (with Strong's)

He bindeth up {H6887} the waters {H4325} in his thick clouds {H5645}; and the cloud {H6051} is not rent {H1234} under them.

Complete Jewish Bible

He binds up the water in his thick clouds, yet no cloud is torn apart by it.

Berean Standard Bible

He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight.

American Standard Version

He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent under them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 26:8 concisely declares God's absolute and miraculous control over creation, specifically highlighting His power to contain immense quantities of water within clouds without them breaking. This verse is part of Job's profound discourse affirming divine sovereignty even amidst his suffering, serving as a powerful testament to God's unfathomable wisdom and meticulous design in sustaining the natural world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 26 marks a pivotal moment in the book, serving as Job's final, eloquent response to Bildad and effectively silencing his friends. Far from being defeated by their arguments, Job here demonstrates a superior and breathtaking understanding of God's power and majesty, asserting divine sovereignty over all creation, from the deepest parts of the underworld (Sheol) to the vastness of the heavens. This chapter functions as a magnificent hymn, detailing God's incomparable might in realms both seen and unseen, thereby setting the stage for God's own direct address to Job in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job"). Verse 8 specifically transitions from God's power over the cosmic deep and the foundations of the earth to His meticulous control over the celestial elements, showcasing the boundless breadth of His dominion over all natural phenomena.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the control of weather, especially the provision of life-giving rain or the unleashing of destructive storms, was frequently attributed to various deities, often depicted in chaotic or capricious ways. For the Israelites, however, Yahweh alone was the sovereign Lord over all natural phenomena, a truth deeply embedded in their monotheistic worldview. Job's declaration in this verse would have resonated powerfully with this understanding, standing in stark contrast to pagan beliefs that saw nature as either chaotic or governed by a pantheon of squabbling gods. The vivid imagery of "thick clouds" holding immense amounts of water without "renting" speaks to a divine order that was both awe-inspiring and foundational to the stability of life, particularly in an agrarian society utterly dependent on consistent and controlled rainfall. This profound understanding of God's mastery over nature is a recurring theme in biblical theology, as profoundly articulated in passages like [Psalm 104:13](/psalms/104-13 "Psalm 104:13 - God Waters the Mountains from His Chambers").
* **Key Themes:** Job 26:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it profoundly underscores **Divine Sovereignty over Creation**, portraying God's absolute and meticulous command over the natural world. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, such as [Psalm 29:3](/psalms/29-3 "Psalm 29:3 - The Voice of the Lord is Over the Waters"), which speaks of the Lord's voice being over the waters. Secondly, the verse highlights **Order and Stability in Nature**, demonstrating that despite the immense and potentially chaotic forces at play, God maintains perfect control, ensuring the cosmos operates with precision and reliability. This testifies to His continuous sustaining power. Lastly, the verse points to **God's Unfathomable Wisdom**, showcasing a divine engineering marvel that far surpasses human comprehension or capability. This aligns perfectly with wisdom literature that consistently extols God's creative intelligence, as exemplified in [Proverbs 3:19](/proverbs/3-19 "Proverbs 3:19 - The Lord by Wisdom Founded the Earth"), which states that "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bindeth up (Hebrew, _tsârar'_):** Derived from H6887, this verb signifies to cramp, to shut up, or to bind. In this context, it emphasizes God's active, deliberate, and complete control over the waters. It is not merely a passive holding but a sovereign act of containment, suggesting precision and immense power in gathering and securing the vast liquid within the cloud formations, much like binding a burden.
* **Thick clouds (Hebrew, _ʻâb'_):** From H5645, this term refers to an envelope or density, specifically a dense, heavy, or dark cloud. It often carries connotations of the immense volume, weight, and potential destructive power of the water they hold. The use of "thick" underscores the incredible mass and pressure involved, making God's ability to "bind" them without rupture an even more remarkable display of divine might.
* **Is not rent (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** From H1234, this verb means to cleave, rend, break, or burst. Here, in the negative, it highlights the miraculous integrity and resilience of the clouds under immense pressure. Despite the colossal weight of water, they do not burst, tear open, or collapse prematurely. This testifies to God's perfect design and continuous upholding power, ensuring the stability and functionality of this natural phenomenon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds;":** This clause directly attributes the miraculous suspension of vast quantities of water in the atmosphere to God's active and sovereign power. The imagery evokes a profound sense of divine control over immense natural forces, portraying the Creator as meticulously gathering and securing the waters within the dense, heavy cloud formations. This speaks to an intentional, powerful act of containment that defies natural expectations of collapse under such immense weight.
* **"and the cloud is not rent under them.":** This second clause emphasizes the astonishing stability and integrity of the clouds, despite the immense burden they carry. The fact that the clouds do not burst, tear open, or collapse prematurely is presented as a direct testament to God's sustaining power and perfect, intricate design. It highlights the precision, reliability, and continuous upholding nature of God's governance over creation, ensuring that natural processes unfold according to His divine will, rather than by chance or inherent instability.

#### Literary Devices
Job 26:8 employs several powerful literary devices to convey God's majestic power. **Personification** is subtly present as God "binds up" the waters, an action typically associated with human effort, thereby emphasizing His direct, active, and personal involvement in the intricate processes of nature. The phrase "thick clouds" functions as a vivid **Metonymy**, where the dense clouds stand in for the immense, almost overwhelming, natural power and volume of water that God effortlessly controls. The entire verse functions as a profound **Hyperbole** to underscore God's omnipotence; while clouds do hold water, the language "bindeth up" and "is not rent" elevates this natural phenomenon to a miraculous display of divine might that transcends human understanding of physics and engineering. This contributes significantly to the overall **Hymnic** quality of Job 26, celebrating God's unparalleled dominion over all creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 26:8 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous control over the natural world. It underscores the biblical truth that creation is not a self-sustaining entity or a product of chance, but is continuously upheld and governed by the Creator's active will. This divine oversight provides a foundational basis for trust and security, reminding humanity that the same God who masterfully manages the colossal weight of water in the clouds also orchestrates the complexities of human existence. The verse invites a posture of awe and humility before a God whose wisdom and power are unfathomable, yet consistently displayed in the intricate order of the cosmos, providing a profound sense of stability in a world often perceived as chaotic.

* [Psalm 147:8](/psalms/147-8 "Psalm 147:8 - God Covers the Heavens with Clouds")
* [Jeremiah 10:13](/jeremiah/10-13 "Jeremiah 10:13 - God Causes the Clouds to Ascend")
* [Amos 9:6](/amos/9-6 "Amos 9:6 - God Builds His Upper Chambers in the Heavens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 26:8 challenges us to pause and truly observe the world around us, not as a collection of random phenomena, but as a continuous, active display of God's presence and power. In an age where we often seek purely scientific explanations for everything, this verse reorients our perspective, inviting us to see the divine hand behind the natural laws that govern our universe. If God can so perfectly manage the immense, volatile forces of the atmosphere, holding vast quantities of water in delicate suspension without rupture, how much more can He be trusted with the seemingly overwhelming pressures and complexities of our personal lives? This verse offers profound comfort, reminding us that our anxieties, our burdens, and our uncertainties are not beyond the grasp of the One who "bindeth up the waters." It calls us to relinquish our attempts at ultimate control and to rest securely in the sovereignty of a God who is both infinitely powerful and meticulously precise, sustaining all things by His very word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating God's control over natural phenomena like clouds deepen your understanding of His sovereignty in your personal life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently struggling to trust God's "binding up" power, fearing that things might "rent" or fall apart?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence for God's continuous, sustaining work in creation?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job emphasize God's control over clouds specifically?**

Answer: Job emphasizes God's control over clouds because it serves as a powerful, tangible illustration of divine omnipotence and wisdom that would have resonated deeply with his audience. In the ancient world, and even today, the formation and behavior of clouds—especially their miraculous ability to hold immense amounts of water without bursting—is a profound marvel of nature. This specific example highlights God's intricate design and sustaining power over elements that are both vital for life (rain) and potentially destructive (storms). It demonstrates God's mastery over phenomena that are entirely beyond human comprehension or control, thereby reinforcing the overarching theme of God's unparalleled greatness and wisdom, as also described in [Job 37:16](/job/37-16 "Job 37:16 - Do You Know the Balance of the Clouds?").

**How does this verse relate to God's faithfulness?**

Answer: Job 26:8 profoundly relates to God's faithfulness by showcasing His consistent and reliable maintenance of creation. The fact that the clouds "are not rent" under the immense weight of water speaks directly to God's unwavering commitment to uphold the natural order He established. This remarkable stability and precision in creation serve as a powerful metaphor for God's faithfulness in His covenant promises and His providential care for His people. If God is faithful to sustain the physical laws of the universe with such meticulous precision, believers can trust that He will be equally faithful in upholding His word and caring for their lives, just as emphasized in passages like [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 26:8, in its declaration of God's meticulous and powerful control over the elements, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very God who "bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds" is revealed in the New Testament as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and by whom all things are sustained. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - All Things Created and Held Together by Christ") explicitly states that "by him all things were created... and in him all things hold together." This means that the miraculous integrity of the clouds, their ability to hold vast quantities of water without being "rent," is not merely a testament to an abstract divine power, but to the very power of the pre-incarnate Christ who actively sustains the cosmos. Furthermore, during His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated this same divine authority over nature, calming raging storms with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking on the very water He sustains ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")). He is the embodiment of the wisdom and power Job describes, the One through whom creation was ordered and by whom it is continuously upheld, ultimately pointing to His sovereign authority as Lord over all, including the very forces of nature and the complexities of human life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Jeremiah 10:13

When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Isaiah 5:6

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

Psalms 135:7

He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

Job 38:9

When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

Job 36:29

Also can [any] understand the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the noise of his tabernacle?

Job 38:37

Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,