Job 38:13

KJV

That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

KJV (with Strong's)

That it might take hold {H270} of the ends {H3671} of the earth {H776}, that the wicked {H7563} might be shaken out {H5287} of it?

Complete Jewish Bible

so that it could take hold of the edges of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?

Berean Standard Bible

that it might spread to the ends of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?

American Standard Version

That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 38:13 is a profound rhetorical question posed by God to Job from the whirlwind, continuing a divine interrogation that challenges Job's limited understanding of the created order and God's absolute sovereignty. It depicts the irresistible, pervasive power of the dawn, which God commands to reach the farthest corners of the earth, not merely for physical illumination but also for a moral purpose: to expose and dislodge the wicked. This verse underscores God's meticulous control over both the natural world and the moral universe, asserting His omnipresent authority and the inevitability of His justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of God's first discourse to Job, beginning in [Job 38:1](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Discourse to Job"). After chapters of Job's lament and the protracted, often misguided, arguments of his friends, God finally breaks His silence, speaking "out of the whirlwind." His address is not a direct answer to Job's specific complaints but rather a series of overwhelming rhetorical questions designed to highlight Job's ignorance and finitude in contrast to God's infinite wisdom, power, and comprehensive knowledge of creation. [Job 38:12](/job/38-12 "Job 38:12 - God's Challenge Regarding the Dawn") immediately precedes this verse, asking Job if he has ever commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place. Verse 13 continues this line of thought, explaining the purpose and effect of this divinely ordained dawn—its reach and its moral consequence. The "it" in verse 13 refers directly to the "dayspring" or "morning" mentioned in the preceding verse, personifying its actions as a direct agent of God's will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the dawn was often viewed as a powerful, almost mystical, phenomenon, signaling the triumph of light over darkness. It was understood as a daily, undeniable manifestation of divine power. The concept of "the ends of the earth" (Hebrew: *kanphot ha'aretz*) did not necessarily imply a flat earth with literal edges but rather conveyed the idea of the utmost, farthest reaches of the known world, symbolizing totality and comprehensiveness. Light, in this cultural milieu, was frequently associated with truth, order, and divine presence, while darkness was linked to chaos, evil, and hidden deeds. The imagery of "shaking out" the wicked would have resonated with agricultural practices of winnowing or sifting, where impurities or undesirable elements are separated and removed, or the shaking of a garment to dislodge dirt, signifying a forceful and complete expulsion.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 38:13](/job/38-13 "Job 38:13 - The Dawn's Reach and Purpose") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty Over Creation**, portraying God as the ultimate orchestrator of natural phenomena, from the rising of the sun to the very boundaries of the earth. The dawn is not an autonomous force but a commanded agent of God's will, demonstrating His absolute control over the cosmos. Secondly, the verse highlights **Light as a Revealer and Purifier**. Just as physical light dispels darkness, God's moral order and presence expose and challenge wickedness. The imagery of the wicked being "shaken out" suggests an inability for evil to hide or thrive in the presence of divine truth and righteousness, a theme echoed in passages like [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-20 - Light Exposes Darkness") where men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Thirdly, it emphasizes **God's Omnipresence and Omniscience**. The phrase "take hold of the ends of the earth" underscores God's boundless reach and comprehensive knowledge; nothing is hidden from His sight, and no place is beyond the scope of His command or judgment, reinforcing the idea that God governs all aspects of existence, both physical and moral.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ends (כַּנְפ֣וֹת, _kanphot'_):** The Hebrew word *kanaph* (כָּנָף) literally means "wing" or "extremity." In this context, it refers to the outermost boundaries, borders, or farthest reaches of the earth. It emphasizes the global, pervasive, and comprehensive nature of the dawn's influence, signifying that no part of the world is beyond its reach, and by extension, beyond God's command and knowledge. This is not merely a geographical descriptor but a conceptual one, implying totality.
* **Shaken out (וְיִנָּעֲר֖וּ, _veyinna'aru'_):** This is the Niphal imperfect form of the verb *na'ar* (נָעַר), meaning "to shake," "to cast off," "to sweep away," or "to dislodge." The passive voice (Niphal) indicates that the wicked are acted upon; they are forcefully dislodged or expelled. The imagery is vivid, suggesting that just as dust or unwanted debris is shaken from a garment, or chaff from grain, so too are the wicked unable to maintain their hold or hiddenness in the face of the encroaching light and divine order. It conveys a sense of violent expulsion and removal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That it might take hold of the ends of the earth":** This clause describes the irresistible and comprehensive reach of the dawn, personified as an active agent. The "it" refers to the morning light, which God commands to grasp or seize the farthest boundaries of the earth. This signifies the dawn's pervasive influence, leaving no corner untouched. It illustrates God's absolute control over natural phenomena, demonstrating that His commands extend universally and are executed without fail, illuminating every hidden place.
* **"that the wicked might be shaken out of it?":** This rhetorical question reveals the moral purpose behind the dawn's universal reach. The light's arrival is not merely for physical illumination but serves as an instrument of divine judgment and purification. As light exposes what is hidden in darkness, so God's moral order, symbolized by the dawn, dislodges and expels the wicked. They are unable to hide their deeds or maintain their position in the face of divine truth and righteousness, implying that the light brings about a reckoning, forcing evil into the open and ultimately removing it.

#### Literary Devices
Job 38:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey God's overwhelming majesty and control. **Personification** is central, as the "dayspring" or "morning" (referred to as "it") is depicted as an active agent that "takes hold of the ends of the earth" and, by implication, causes the wicked to be "shaken out." This imbues a natural phenomenon with divine purpose and agency. The entire passage from [Job 38:1](/job/38/1 "Job 38:1 - God Speaks from the Whirlwind") onwards is a series of **Rhetorical Questions**, designed not to elicit answers from Job, but to highlight his profound ignorance and God's unchallengeable wisdom and power. The question "that the wicked might be shaken out of it?" serves to emphasize the moral consequence of the dawn's arrival, presenting it as an undeniable truth. Furthermore, there is a strong **Metaphor** at play, where the physical light of dawn metaphorically represents divine truth, justice, and moral order. Just as literal light exposes physical darkness, so God's truth exposes and purges moral darkness (wickedness). The imagery of "shaken out" is a vivid **Simile** (though implied rather than explicit), comparing the expulsion of the wicked to the dislodging of unwanted elements, like dust from a rug or chaff from grain, emphasizing their inability to withstand God's manifest presence and order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 38:13 profoundly articulates God's comprehensive sovereignty, not only over the vastness of creation but also over the moral order of the world. It asserts that the divine command extends to every corner of existence, ensuring that even the most fundamental natural cycles serve a purposeful, ethical function. The light of dawn, a daily miracle, becomes an emblem of God's pervasive justice, revealing that no wickedness can forever remain hidden or unaddressed in His presence. This passage reassures believers that despite the apparent triumph of evil, God's ultimate purpose is to expose and purge it, establishing His righteous dominion across all the earth. It portrays a God who is actively involved in maintaining both cosmic and moral equilibrium, whose light is an irresistible force against darkness and sin.

* [Psalm 19:1-6](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1-6 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") - The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork, illustrating God's power through creation.
* [Luke 8:17](/luke/8-17 "Luke 8:17 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed") - For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
* [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment") - Describes the final judgment where all are exposed before God's throne, and those not found in the book of life are cast out.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 38:13 offers profound comfort and a sobering challenge for believers today. In a world often seemingly dominated by darkness, injustice, and hidden evils, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God remains absolutely sovereign. His divine order will ultimately prevail, and wickedness cannot forever hide from His penetrating light. Just as the dawn relentlessly reaches every corner of the earth, so God's justice and truth will inevitably expose all that is hidden. This encourages us to live transparently, knowing that God's omnipresent gaze sees all and that His presence ultimately exposes all things. It also instills hope that the seemingly slow pace of divine justice does not negate its certainty; God's purposes for exposing and removing evil are at work throughout creation, just as He controls the daily cycle of the sun. Our response should be one of humility and trust, acknowledging our limited understanding in the face of God's infinite wisdom, and committing to walk in the light, confident that His righteous reign will ultimately purge all darkness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the dawn "taking hold of the ends of the earth" challenge my perception of God's omnipresence and active involvement in the world today?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to hide aspects of my life from God's "light," and what does this verse teach me about the futility of such attempts?**
* **How does the promise that the wicked will be "shaken out" provide comfort or challenge my understanding of divine justice in the face of present evil?**

### FAQ
**What does "the ends of the earth" signify in this context?**

Answer: In [Job 38:13](/job/38-13 "Job 38:13 - The Dawn's Reach and Purpose"), "the ends of the earth" (Hebrew: *kanphot ha'aretz*) signifies the outermost boundaries or farthest reaches of the world. It does not imply a literal edge to a flat earth but rather emphasizes the global, pervasive, and comprehensive nature of the dawn's influence. It means that the morning light, commanded by God, reaches absolutely everywhere, leaving no place untouched. By extension, this phrase underscores God's boundless reach, His comprehensive knowledge, and the universal scope of His authority and judgment. No place is beyond His command or His sight.

**How does God "shake out" the wicked through the dawn?**

Answer: The imagery of the wicked being "shaken out" is a powerful metaphor for exposure and expulsion. It suggests that the coming of God's light, symbolized by the dawn, makes it impossible for wickedness to remain hidden or to thrive. Just as physical light reveals what is in darkness, God's moral order and truth expose evil deeds and dislodge those who practice them. This "shaking out" can manifest in various ways: through the revelation of hidden sins, the crumbling of corrupt systems, the loss of influence or power for those who oppose God's righteousness, or ultimately, through divine judgment. It implies a forceful and inevitable removal, much like dust is shaken from a rug, or chaff is separated from grain, signifying that evil cannot withstand the manifest presence and order of God. This concept is echoed in [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-20 - Light Exposes Darkness"), where those who do evil hate the light because it exposes their deeds.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 38:13, with its depiction of divine light reaching the "ends of the earth" to expose and dislodge the wicked, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the pre-existent Word through whom all things were made, the very one who established the cosmic order and commands the dawn (cf. [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")). More significantly, Jesus is revealed as the "light of the world" (cf. [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). His incarnation brought God's truth and righteousness into the darkest corners of human existence, actively exposing sin and spiritual darkness. Just as the physical dawn makes it impossible for the wicked to hide, Christ's coming brought an unparalleled revelation of God's character and moral standards, making clear the distinction between light and darkness (cf. [John 3:19-21](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-21 - Light and Deeds")). Furthermore, the "shaking out" of the wicked foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, He disarmed spiritual principalities and powers (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")), and He will return as the righteous Judge to fully and finally "shake out" all evil from His creation, establishing His kingdom where righteousness dwells (cf. [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, the ancient dawn's moral purpose in Job points forward to the glorious dawn of Christ's redemptive work and His final, comprehensive triumph.

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

Psalms 104:35

Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

Job 37:3

He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

Exodus 14:27

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

Psalms 104:21

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

Psalms 104:22

The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.

Psalms 139:9

[If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Psalms 139:12

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].