Job 38:20

KJV

That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof?

KJV (with Strong's)

That thou shouldest take {H3947} it to the bound {H1366} thereof, and that thou shouldest know {H995} the paths {H5410} to the house {H1004} thereof?

Complete Jewish Bible

If you knew, you could take each to its place and set it on its homeward path.

Berean Standard Bible

so you can lead it back to its border? Do you know the paths to its home?

American Standard Version

That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, And that thou shouldest discern the paths to the house thereof?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 38:20 is a pivotal rhetorical question posed by God from the whirlwind, challenging Job's finite understanding of the cosmos. Following Job's extensive laments and the theological debates with his friends, God intervenes not to explain the "why" of suffering, but to profoundly assert His unparalleled power, infinite knowledge, and absolute sovereignty over all creation. This verse, specifically referencing the elements of light and darkness, highlights the vast chasm between human comprehension and the divine wisdom that orchestrates the universe's intricate workings, its origins, and its appointed limits.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within God's dramatic first speech to Job, beginning in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job"). After chapters of Job's passionate complaints and his friends' attempts to explain suffering through conventional theology, God finally speaks from a tempest, directly addressing Job's challenges to divine justice and wisdom. The questions in [Job 38:1-38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Questions to Job") are designed to humble Job by demonstrating his utter lack of knowledge regarding the fundamental forces and intricate design of the natural world. Specifically, verse 20 continues the line of questioning from [Job 38:19](/job/38-19 "Job 38:19 - Where is the Way to Light?"), where God asks about the dwelling places of light and darkness. The "it" in verse 20 refers directly back to these cosmic elements, emphasizing God's sole authority over their very existence, movement, and boundaries. The entire speech serves as a divine reorientation, shifting Job's focus from his personal suffering to the Creator's incomprehensible majesty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in the land of Uz, a region associated with Edom. In this cultural milieu, the concept of divine wisdom and cosmic order was paramount. Ancient peoples, including the Israelites, often grappled with the apparent chaos of the natural world and sought explanations for its phenomena. Unlike pagan deities who were often capricious or limited, the God of Israel is presented as the sole, omnipotent Creator who established and maintains the universe's precise order. The imagery of "bounds" and "paths" would resonate with a people who understood the importance of established boundaries for land and the necessity of clear paths for travel. God's questions about light and darkness tap into universal human experiences, as these elements were fundamental to daily life and often held symbolic significance (e.g., light representing knowledge, life; darkness representing ignorance, chaos). The challenge to Job's understanding of these basic elements underscores the cultural understanding that only a divine being could truly comprehend and control such forces.

* **Key Themes:** Job 38:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. First, it underscores **God's Omniscience and Omnipotence**. God alone possesses comprehensive knowledge of creation's origins, processes, and boundaries, demonstrating His absolute power over all things. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"), which marvels at the wisdom displayed in God's works, and [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - The Everlasting God"), which speaks of God's unsearchable understanding. Second, the verse highlights **Human Limitation and Humility**. The rhetorical questions are designed to expose the vast gulf between human understanding and divine wisdom, prompting Job—and all humanity—to acknowledge their finite knowledge and humble themselves before the Creator. This aligns with the wisdom tradition found in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart"), which urges trust in the Lord rather than reliance on one's own understanding. Third, the passage speaks to **Divine Order and Design**. The very existence of "bounds" and "paths" for cosmic elements implies a universe that is not chaotic but operates according to an intelligent, purposeful, and meticulously designed plan established by God. This theme is foundational to the creation accounts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), where God brings order out of chaos.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bound (Hebrew, _gĕbûl'_):** This noun refers to a "boundary," "border," or "limit." In the context of Job 38:20, it signifies the appointed extent or precise confines within which light and darkness operate. God is asking if Job has the power or knowledge to set these cosmic parameters, emphasizing divine control over the very reach and scope of natural phenomena. It speaks to the ordered nature of creation, where everything has its place and its limits, established by the Creator.
* **paths (Hebrew, _nĕthîbâh'_):** This noun denotes a "way," "course," or "track." It implies not just a general direction but specific routes or processes. God's question challenges Job's understanding of the intricate mechanisms and precise movements by which light and darkness function. It suggests a detailed, systematic operation of the cosmos that is fully known only to its Maker.
* **house thereof (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** While literally meaning "house" or "dwelling place," in this poetic and cosmic context, "house" functions as a metaphor for the origin, source, or ultimate abode of light and darkness. The question probes whether Job knows the very wellspring from which these fundamental elements emerge or where they ultimately reside, highlighting the profound mystery of their existence and God's exclusive knowledge of their ultimate genesis.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof":** This clause challenges Job's ability to control or direct light and darkness. God asks if Job possesses the power to guide these fundamental cosmic forces to their appointed limits or boundaries. The implicit answer is a resounding "no," underscoring human incapacity to manage even the most basic elements of the universe, let alone comprehend God's grand design or question His justice. It emphasizes God's exclusive role as the one who sets and maintains the universal order.
* **"and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof?":** This second clause deepens the challenge, moving from control to comprehension. God inquires if Job understands the intricate "paths" or processes by which light and darkness operate, or if he knows the "house"—the ultimate origin or dwelling place—of these cosmic entities. This question highlights human ignorance regarding the fundamental nature and source of creation's elements, asserting God's unparalleled and exhaustive knowledge of every detail of His handiwork, from its genesis to its ongoing operation.

#### Literary Devices
Job 38:20, like much of God's speech in Job, is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**. God poses questions not to gain information, but to make an undeniable point: Job's (and humanity's) profound ignorance and God's infinite wisdom and power. These questions serve to humble Job and silence his complaints by demonstrating the vast gulf between his limited understanding and God's comprehensive knowledge of the cosmos. **Personification** is also evident, as light and darkness are implicitly given human-like attributes, having "bounds" to be taken to and "paths" leading to a "house." This device makes abstract cosmic forces more tangible and relatable, while simultaneously emphasizing God's mastery over them. Furthermore, the use of "house" is a **Metaphor**, representing the ultimate source or origin of light and darkness, rather than a literal dwelling. This poetic language elevates the discourse, inviting the reader to ponder the profound mystery of creation's beginnings and the Creator's exclusive access to that knowledge. The entire passage also employs **Irony**, as Job, who has sought to understand God's ways and justice, is confronted with his inability to even grasp the basic mechanics of the physical world God created.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 38:20 serves as a profound theological anchor, reminding humanity of God's utter transcendence and the inherent limits of human reason. It challenges any notion of human autonomy or comprehensive understanding, compelling a posture of humility and awe before the Creator. The verse underscores that God's ways are inscrutable to human minds, not because He is arbitrary, but because His wisdom and knowledge are infinitely beyond our grasp. This divine incomprehensibility is not an invitation to despair but an impetus to trust, recognizing that the One who meticulously orders the cosmos also holds our lives in His sovereign hand, even amidst suffering. It redirects our focus from our limited perspective to the boundless majesty of the One who knows the "paths" and "bounds" of all things.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depths of God's Wisdom"): "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
* [Psalm 19:1-4](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1-4 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"): "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 38:20 stands as a timeless reminder of our place in God's vast and intricate creation. In a world that often prioritizes human intellect and scientific discovery, this verse calls us back to a profound sense of awe and reverence for the Creator. It encourages us to cultivate humility, recognizing that our knowledge, however advanced, remains finite when compared to God's infinite wisdom. When faced with life's perplexing questions, particularly those concerning suffering and divine justice, this passage invites us to release our need for exhaustive explanations and instead embrace a posture of trust in God's sovereign plan. If God meticulously orchestrates the "paths" and "bounds" of light and darkness, then He surely holds our lives and circumstances in His capable hands, even when we cannot discern His purposes. This understanding fosters a deeper worship, prompting us to see the wonders of the natural world as constant testaments to God's power, wisdom, and meticulous design, thereby transforming our perspective from questioning to adoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's infinite wisdom, as revealed in Job 38:20, impact my response to unanswered questions or difficult circumstances in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own understanding or control, rather than trusting God's sovereign design and knowledge?**
* **How can the wonders of creation, from the rising of the sun to the falling of night, deepen my worship and humility before God?**

### FAQ
**What is the "it" God refers to in Job 38:20?**

Answer: The "it" in Job 38:20 refers back to the elements of light and darkness, which God questions Job about in the preceding verse, [Job 38:19](/job/38-19 "Job 38:19 - Where is the Way to Light and Darkness?"). God is challenging Job's knowledge and control over these fundamental cosmic phenomena, asking if Job knows where they originate, how they operate, or where their boundaries lie.

**Why does God use rhetorical questions instead of direct answers to Job's suffering?**

Answer: God uses rhetorical questions throughout [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches") not to provide direct answers to the "why" of Job's suffering, but to reorient Job's perspective. The questions serve to vividly display God's infinite power, wisdom, and sovereignty over all creation, including the natural forces that are far beyond human comprehension or control. By demonstrating Job's inability to understand or manage the cosmos, God establishes His own unquestionable authority and wisdom, encouraging Job (and readers) to trust in God's character and plan rather than demanding explanations for every circumstance. This approach highlights that true wisdom lies in humble submission to the Creator, as articulated in [Romans 9:20](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20 - Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?").

**How does this verse relate to modern scientific understanding?**

Answer: Job 38:20 does not negate scientific inquiry; rather, it places it within the grander context of divine creation. Modern science can meticulously explore the "paths" and "bounds" of natural phenomena—uncovering the laws of physics, the origins of light, and the mechanisms of the universe. However, this verse suggests that while humanity can discover *how* creation works, it cannot fully grasp the ultimate "house" or the ultimate *why* and *who* behind it without acknowledging the Creator. It highlights the inherent limits of human knowledge, even with advanced tools, in comprehending the ultimate source and purpose of existence, pointing to a divine intelligence that undergirds all scientific discovery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 38:20 speaks of God's incomprehensible wisdom in creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are revealed in Jesus Christ. The very "paths" and "bounds" of light and darkness, and indeed all creation, are not merely established by an abstract deity but are held together and orchestrated by the Son. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer") declares that "by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Jesus is the divine wisdom of God incarnate, the one through whom God's creative power is expressed ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). The "house" or source of light, which Job could not know, is fully embodied in Christ, who proclaimed, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). He is the one who brings light into the spiritual darkness of humanity, fulfilling the prophecy of those "which sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, light is sprung up" ([Matthew 4:16](/matthew/4-16 "Matthew 4:16 - Light for Those in Darkness")). Thus, the One who knows the "paths" and "bounds" of all creation is none other than the Lamb of God, who not only sustains the universe but also redeems humanity, offering ultimate wisdom and salvation to those who humbly trust in Him.

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

Job 26:10

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

Genesis 23:17

And the field of Ephron, which [was] in Machpelah, which [was] before Mamre, the field, and the cave which [was] therein, and all the trees that [were] in the field, that [were] in all the borders round about, were made sure

Genesis 10:19

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.