Job 38:10

KJV

And brake up for it my decreed [place], and set bars and doors,

KJV (with Strong's)

And brake up {H7665} for it my decreed {H2706} place, and set {H7760} bars {H1280} and doors {H1817},

Complete Jewish Bible

when I made the breakers its boundary set its gates and bars,

Berean Standard Bible

when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors,

American Standard Version

And marked out for it my bound, And set bars and doors,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 38:10 is a pivotal declaration within God's challenging discourse to Job, where the Almighty vividly portrays His absolute sovereignty and unparalleled wisdom in the act of creation. Following the dramatic depiction of the sea's tumultuous birth, this verse continues to unveil God's meticulous and powerful establishment of inviolable boundaries for the vast, primeval waters, asserting His supreme control over chaos and His deliberate ordering of the cosmos.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 38:10 is situated within God's first direct speech to Job, commencing in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"). This divine address, delivered from a whirlwind, marks a dramatic shift in the book, moving beyond the dialogues between Job and his friends. God's questions are profoundly rhetorical, designed not to elicit answers from Job but to expose the vast chasm between human understanding and divine omnipotence. Verses 8 and 9 describe the chaotic emergence of the sea, likened to a baby bursting from the womb, emphasizing its wild and untamed nature. Verse 10 then immediately follows, detailing God's decisive act of containing this primordial force, setting the stage for a series of rhetorical questions that highlight God's exclusive knowledge and power over creation, from the depths of the sea to the constellations of the heavens, echoing the foundational acts of ordering found in [the creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a chaotic, untamed sea (often associated with primeval waters or "the deep") was common in ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, where deities were often depicted as battling and subduing these forces to establish order. In the biblical worldview, however, there is no struggle; God's command alone is sufficient. The Book of Job itself is a masterpiece of wisdom literature, likely set in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era, possibly in the land of Uz. The cultural understanding of the sea as a powerful, often destructive, and mysterious entity makes God's act of "setting bars and doors" for it an even more profound demonstration of His absolute, uncontested power. This portrayal would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the unpredictable nature of large bodies of water and the human inability to control them.
* **Key Themes:** The primary message conveyed by Job 38:10 is God's **Divine Sovereignty over Creation**. He is not merely the originator but the active governor of the cosmos, meticulously managing and limiting even the most formidable elements. The "decreed place" and "bars and doors" are powerful metaphors for the impenetrable, divinely established boundaries that contain the sea, ensuring its function within God's ordered design rather than allowing it to revert to chaos. This act underscores the theme of **Order from Chaos**, where God's intervention transforms a potentially destructive force into a regulated part of His creation. This divine ordering is a testament to His infinite wisdom and foresight, demonstrating that His plans are deliberate and purposeful. Furthermore, the verse powerfully asserts God's **Unchallengeable Power**, presenting an act of control over the mighty ocean that is far beyond any human capability, thereby emphasizing the immense, unbridgeable gap between the Creator and His creation, a theme prevalent throughout God's discourse in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **decreed [place] (Hebrew, _ḥōq_):** This word (חֹק) fundamentally denotes a 'statute,' 'ordinance,' 'limit,' or 'boundary.' The KJV's parenthetical addition of "[place]" accurately captures the implied spatial dimension of a divinely appointed and fixed sphere of existence. The use of _ḥōq_ emphasizes that the boundaries set for the sea are not arbitrary or temporary, but are established by immutable divine decree, reflecting God's deliberate, purposeful, and eternal design for the cosmos. It implies a legal, binding, and unalterable command from the ultimate Authority.
* **bars and doors (Hebrew, _bĕrîaḥ_ and _dĕlāṯ_):** These terms are vivid, anthropomorphic metaphors drawn from human architecture and security systems. A _bĕrîaḥ_ (בְּרִיחַ) is a 'bar' or 'bolt,' typically used to secure a gate or door, while _dĕlāṯ_ (דְּלָת) refers to a 'door' or 'gate' itself. Together, they illustrate the strength, permanence, and impenetrability of the divine limits. They convey the idea that the sea is not merely contained by a natural barrier but is securely locked away, as if behind a fortified gate, by God's omnipotent will. This imagery underscores the absolute security of the boundaries God has established.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And brake up for it my decreed [place]":** This clause describes God's active intervention in the primordial chaos. The verb "brake up" (וָאֶשְׁבֹּר, _wa'ešbor_) implies a forceful, decisive act, not of destruction, but of forceful establishment or separation. It suggests God's power to carve out a specific, bounded domain for the sea. The phrase "my decreed [place]" further emphasizes that this boundary is not a natural development but a direct, intentional, and sovereign imposition by God Himself, according to His pre-ordained plan and authority.
* **"and set bars and doors":** This second clause elaborates on the nature of the "decreed place," providing a concrete, albeit metaphorical, image of its security. God does not merely define a boundary; He fortifies it. The "bars and doors" signify the absolute and unyielding nature of these divine limits. They convey the idea that the sea, despite its immense power and potential for destruction, is utterly confined and controlled, unable to transgress the boundaries God has set for it. This imagery powerfully communicates God's complete mastery over the forces of nature, ensuring order and preventing chaos from overwhelming the created world.

#### Literary Devices
Job 38:10 is rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, drawing upon the familiar human experience of building and securing structures to describe God's cosmic work. The sea, often personified as a wild, unruly infant in the preceding verses, is here depicted as a formidable entity that requires containment. The most prominent device is **Anthropomorphism**, where God is portrayed as an architect or gatekeeper, "breaking up" ground and "setting bars and doors" for the sea. This human-like action makes God's power relatable, yet it simultaneously elevates the scale of His work to an unimaginable level. The "decreed place" functions as a **Metaphor** for the divinely ordained and immutable boundaries of the sea, while "bars and doors" are powerful **Metaphors** for the strength and permanence of these limits. Together, these devices create a vivid picture of God's absolute control, transforming the abstract concept of divine sovereignty into a tangible, awe-inspiring reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 38:10 profoundly illustrates the biblical doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty, not only as Creator but as Sustainer and Governor of all things. It reveals a God who does not merely initiate creation and then withdraw, but one who actively imposes order upon chaos, setting limits that even the most powerful natural forces cannot transgress. This divine act of containment speaks to God's meticulous design and His ongoing providential care for the cosmos, ensuring its stability and functionality according to His wise purposes. The same power that bridles the sea also governs the affairs of humanity and the trajectory of history, assuring believers that no force, however overwhelming, operates outside of His ultimate control. This truth provides a deep well of comfort and a call to humble submission to His supreme authority.

* [Psalm 104:9](/psalm/104-9 "Psalm 104:9 - God's Boundaries for the Waters")
* [Proverbs 8:29](/proverbs/8-29 "Proverbs 8:29 - Wisdom Present at Creation's Boundaries")
* [Psalm 33:7](/psalm/33-7 "Psalm 33:7 - God Gathers the Waters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 38:10 offers profound comfort and a powerful challenge for believers today. In a world that often feels chaotic, unpredictable, and overwhelming, this verse serves as a potent reminder that the same God who set unyielding boundaries for the raging, primeval sea is also sovereign over the storms of our lives. When personal circumstances feel like an untamed ocean, threatening to engulf us, this divine declaration calls us to remember God's omnipotence and His ability to establish order even where we perceive only disorder. It encourages a posture of profound humility and unwavering trust, knowing that our lives, like the vast oceans, are ultimately contained within the sovereign will and wise plan of God. This truth can bring immense peace, assuring us that nothing is truly out of His control, and that His boundaries, though unseen, are eternally secure, protecting His creation and His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed or out of control, like an untamed sea?**
* **How does remembering God's power to "set bars and doors" for the ocean impact your trust in His control over your personal circumstances?**
* **What practical steps can you take to surrender areas of perceived chaos in your life to God's sovereign boundaries?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God "breaking up" a decreed place for the sea?**

Answer: The phrase "brake up for it my decreed [place]" signifies God's powerful and deliberate act of establishing a fixed, unchangeable boundary for the sea. It's not a gentle shaping but a forceful, authoritative act of separation and containment. In ancient cosmologies, the sea often represented chaos and disorder. By "breaking up" a specific, divinely "decreed" (or ordained) place, God asserts His absolute authority over this chaotic element, creating order and setting the stage for the habitable world. This highlights that the boundaries of nature are not arbitrary but are a result of God's intentional design and sovereign will, ensuring that the sea does not "cover the earth" again, as seen in [Genesis 9:11](/genesis/9-11 "Genesis 9:11 - God's Covenant Never to Flood the Earth Again").

**How do "bars and doors" apply to a body of water?**

Answer: "Bars and doors" are powerful anthropomorphic metaphors used to convey the absolute and unyielding nature of the boundaries God set for the sea. Just as a fortified gate with strong bars and doors prevents entry or exit, God's divine decree acts as an impenetrable barrier for the ocean. It means the sea is not merely contained by natural coastlines but is fundamentally restrained by God's omnipotent word and will. This imagery emphasizes the strength, permanence, and security of God's control, demonstrating that the sea, despite its immense power, cannot transgress the limits He has established, as also affirmed in [Jeremiah 5:22](/jeremiah/5-22 "Jeremiah 5:22 - God's Decree for the Sea").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 38:10, with its majestic portrayal of God's sovereign power over the chaotic sea, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the divine Son, Christ is not merely an agent of creation but the very means by which all things were made and are sustained. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer") declares that "by him all things were created... and in him all things hold together." The power that "broke up" a decreed place and "set bars and doors" for the sea is the same inherent power that Christ demonstrated when He walked on water, calmed a raging storm with a mere word, saying, "[Peace! Be still!](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")" to the wind and waves. This act was not merely a miracle but a divine demonstration of His co-equal sovereignty over creation, revealing Him as the very Lord who spoke to Job from the whirlwind. Furthermore, Christ's victory over sin and death, the ultimate chaos in the spiritual realm, mirrors God's triumph over the primordial waters. He is the one who brings order, peace, and new creation, ultimately establishing an eternal "decreed place" for His redeemed people, where there will be no more sea, symbolizing the complete absence of chaos and separation, as envisioned in [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heaven and New Earth").

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

Jeremiah 5:22

Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Psalms 104:9

Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

Job 26:10

He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

Genesis 1:9

¶ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.

Genesis 1:10

And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.

Psalms 33:7

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Genesis 9:15

And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.