Job 38:6

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Whereupon are the foundations {H134} thereof fastened {H2883}? or who laid {H3384} the corner {H6438} stone {H68} thereof;

On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,

On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone,

Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof,

Commentary

Job 38:6 is a profound verse from God's direct address to Job, part of a series of rhetorical questions designed to humble Job and reveal the immensity of divine power and wisdom. It challenges human understanding of the very origins of the cosmos.

Context

This verse is found within chapters 38-41 of the Book of Job, where God finally speaks to Job out of a whirlwind. After Job and his friends have debated the reasons for Job's suffering, God intervenes, not to explain the suffering directly, but to assert His unparalleled authority and creative power. God's questions about the natural world, such as "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?", are unanswerable by Job, underscoring the vast gap between human knowledge and divine omnipotence. Job 38:6 specifically focuses on the stability and precise construction of the earth's beginnings.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereignty as Creator: The core message is that God alone established the earth with perfect precision and stability. He is the ultimate architect and builder of the universe.
  • Divine Wisdom and Power: The questions highlight the intricate planning and immense power required to create something as vast and enduring as the earth. No human or created being could have conceived or executed such a feat.
  • Human Limitation and Humility: By asking Job these questions, God reveals the limits of human understanding and power. It calls Job, and by extension, all humanity, to a posture of humility and awe before the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "foundations" (yesodah) refers to the base or groundwork upon which something is built, emphasizing stability and permanence. The "corner stone" (even pinnatah) is critical in ancient architecture; it is the first stone laid, setting the alignment for the entire structure and ensuring its strength and true form. In this context, it symbolizes the precise and perfect beginning of creation, laid by God Himself. This concept of a foundational or chief cornerstone is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, notably in how Christ is described as the chief cornerstone of the church.

Practical Application

Job 38:6 reminds us that despite life's complexities and our limited understanding, we can trust in a God who meticulously designed and sustains the universe. It encourages us to find comfort in His sovereign control and to approach Him with reverence and humility. When faced with challenges or uncertainties, this verse points us to the foundational stability of His creation, assuring us that the One who laid the earth's cornerstone is fully capable of guiding our lives and the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 26:7

    He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.

  • Psalms 104:5

    [Who] laid the foundations of the earth, [that] it should not be removed for ever.

  • 2 Peter 3:5

    For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

  • Isaiah 28:16

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

  • Zechariah 12:1

    ¶ The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

  • Psalms 93:1

    ¶ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

  • Psalms 118:22

    The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
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