The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
The waters {H4325} are hid {H2244} as with a stone {H68}, and the face {H6440} of the deep {H8415} is frozen {H3920}.
when water becomes as hard as stone, and the surface of the deep freezes solid?
when the waters become hard as stone and the surface of the deep is frozen?
The waters hide themselvesand becomelike stone, And the face of the deep is frozen.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Job 37:10
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
Job 38:30 is part of God's profound challenge to Job, delivered from a whirlwind. In this majestic discourse, God systematically questions Job's understanding of the natural world, asserting His own unparalleled wisdom and omnipotence over creation.
Context
This verse comes towards the end of God's initial series of questions to Job (Job 38-39), where He highlights His complete control over phenomena that are beyond human comprehension or manipulation. After discussing light, darkness, the sea, and the clouds, God turns to the powerful and transformative nature of cold. He asks Job if he knows the "treasures of the snow" or "the hailstones" (Job 38:22), leading into the description of frozen waters in this verse. The aim is to demonstrate that if Job cannot even grasp the mechanics of natural weather, how can he question the ways of the Almighty?
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "hid as [with] a stone" (Hebrew: אֶבֶן, 'even, "stone") emphasizes the incredible solidity and immobility that water takes on when frozen. It's not just cold, but hardened and concealed like something encased in rock. The "face of the deep" (תְּהוֹם, tehom) refers to the vast, primordial waters, suggesting not just small puddles but immense bodies of water, further magnifying the scale of God's power to freeze them solid. This vivid imagery conveys total transformation and control.
Practical Application
Job 38:30 serves as a powerful reminder of our human limitations and God's boundless power. In a world where we often strive for control, this verse calls us to humility and awe before the Creator. It encourages us to trust in a God who governs even the most extreme and seemingly chaotic natural forces. Just as He controls the freezing deep, He is sovereign over all circumstances in our lives, offering a foundation for faith in His wisdom and plan, even when we don't understand them. Psalm 147:16-18 also speaks to God's mastery over ice and frost, echoing this theme of divine control over the elements.