Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
Behold, he spreadeth {H6566} his light {H216} upon it, and covereth {H3680} the bottom {H8328} of the sea {H3220}.
See how he scatters his lightning over it and covers the roots of the sea.
See how He scatters His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea.
Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.
-
Psalms 18:11
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. -
Psalms 18:16
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. -
Psalms 104:5
[Who] laid the foundations of the earth, [that] it should not be removed for ever. -
Psalms 104:9
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. -
Job 38:25
¶ Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; -
Exodus 14:28
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, [and] all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. -
Exodus 14:22
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Context of Job 36:30
Job 36:30 is part of Elihu's extensive discourse, which spans chapters 32 through 37 of the Book of Job. Elihu, a younger friend of Job, speaks after Job and his three older friends have exhausted their arguments. His primary aim is to justify God's ways and demonstrate His justice, wisdom, and majesty, often through illustrations from nature. In this particular section (Job 36:24-33), Elihu emphasizes God's control over meteorological phenomena – rain, thunder, clouds, and lightning – as evidence of His immense power and sovereignty. This verse specifically highlights the vastness of God's dominion, extending from the heavens to the deepest parts of the earth.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "spreadeth his light upon it" comes from the Hebrew word אוֹרוֹ (’ôrô), meaning "his light." This light can refer to literal sunlight, lightning, or metaphorically to divine illumination or revelation. The verb "spreadeth" (Hebrew: פָּרַשׂ, pāras) implies a wide, encompassing reach.
More striking is "covereth the bottom of the sea." The Hebrew literally translates to "and the roots of the sea he covers" (וְשָׁרְשֵׁי הַיָּם יְכַסֶּה, vəshorshê hayyām yəkhassēh). "Roots of the sea" is a poetic and vivid expression for the deepest, most foundational, or innermost parts of the ocean. This imagery deepens the understanding of God's comprehensive dominion, reaching beyond the visible surface into the profound, unexplored depths.
Cross-References & Connections
This verse resonates with other passages that speak to God's dominion over the natural world and His omnipresence:
Practical Application
Job 36:30 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and reverence for God. It reminds us that: