Job 38:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 38:6 presents a profound rhetorical question from God to Job, challenging human comprehension of the cosmos's very origins and the meticulous precision of divine creation. It serves as a powerful declaration of God's infinite wisdom and omnipotence, asserting that He alone established the earth with perfect design and foundational stability, thereby humbling Job and reorienting his perspective to the Creator's unparalleled majesty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within God's climactic and awe-inspiring speech to Job, spanning [chapters 38-41](/job/38-41 "Job 38-41 - God's Speech from the Whirlwind"). After prolonged and intense debates among Job and his friends concerning the nature of suffering and divine justice, God finally breaks His silence, speaking "out of the whirlwind" ([Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Speaks to Job")). Rather than directly addressing the reasons for Job's suffering, God launches into a series of unanswerable rhetorical questions about the creation and sustenance of the natural world. These questions, beginning with challenges like, "[Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?](/job/38-4 "Job 38:4 - God's Question to Job about Creation"), are designed to highlight God's unparalleled authority, wisdom, and power, thereby reorienting Job's perspective from his personal plight to the majesty of the Creator. Job 38:6 specifically zeroes in on the earth's initial construction, emphasizing its foundational stability and the precise act of its commencement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of the earth resting on "foundations" or "pillars" was a common cosmological understanding, reflecting a desire to explain the world's stability and order. Buildings, especially important ones like temples or palaces, were constructed with immense care, beginning with the laying of a "cornerstone" – the first and most crucial stone that determined the alignment, squareness, and strength of the entire structure. This stone had to be perfectly cut and placed, often with ceremonial significance. By employing these familiar architectural metaphors, God communicates His creative act in terms that Job and his contemporaries would understand, yet simultaneously transcends human building capabilities. He asserts that only a divine architect could have executed such a precise and enduring feat on a cosmic scale, evoking profound awe at the sheer magnitude and precision of God's work.
* **Key Themes:** Job 38:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **God's absolute sovereignty as Creator and Sustainer**, demonstrating that He alone established the cosmos with perfect order and stability, a theme echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - The Lord's Care for Creation"), which celebrates God's creative and sustaining power. This verse also underscores **divine wisdom and power**, revealing the intricate planning and immense might required to create and maintain something as vast and enduring as the earth, aligning with wisdom literature like [Proverbs 3:19](/proverbs/3-19 "Proverbs 3:19 - The Lord by Wisdom Founded the Earth"), which states, "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens." Finally, it highlights **human limitation and the call to humility**, as Job, and by extension all humanity, is confronted with the unanswerable nature of these questions, compelling a posture of reverence and awe before the incomprehensible greatness of God, a stark contrast to the human debates that preceded God's intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **foundations (Hebrew, _ʼeden'_):** Derived from a root conveying strength, this term (H134) refers to a basis or established support, such as the foundation of a building or column. In Job 38:6, it speaks to the underlying, secure structure upon which the earth rests, signifying the inherent stability and divine establishment of creation.
* **fastened (Hebrew, _ṭâbaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H2883) means "to sink" or "to settle," implying a firm, unmoving placement. In the context of the earth's foundations, it denotes God's act of securely embedding or fixing them, ensuring their immovability and permanence through His sovereign power.
* **corner (Hebrew, _pinnâh'_):** Referring to an angle or a chief point (H6438), this word, when combined with "stone" (H68, _ʼeben_), forms the concept of a "cornerstone." It signifies the critical, foundational stone that establishes the alignment and integrity of an entire structure, illustrating God's meticulous precision and authoritative design in the very beginning of creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?":** This rhetorical question challenges Job to consider the invisible, yet utterly secure, underpinnings of the earth. It implies that no human or natural force could have established or secured these foundations. The question highlights the mystery and the supernatural power behind the earth's stability, pointing to God as the sole agent capable of such an act. It underscores the earth's inherent stability, not by its own power, but by the divine decree that "fastened" its foundations.
* **"or who laid the corner stone thereof;":** This second rhetorical question continues the architectural metaphor, focusing on the precision and authority involved in the earth's initial construction. The laying of a cornerstone is an act of deliberate design and skilled execution, setting the standard for the entire edifice. By asking "who laid" it, God implies that only an ultimate, omniscient architect could perform such a foundational act for the entire planet, thereby asserting His unique role as the master builder of the cosmos.

#### Literary Devices
Job 38:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent are **Rhetorical Questions**, which are not intended to elicit an answer from Job but rather to highlight the vast chasm between human and divine knowledge and power. By posing questions about the earth's creation that Job cannot answer, God asserts His supreme authority and wisdom, humbling Job and forcing him to acknowledge his own limitations. The verse also utilizes **Metaphor** and **Anthropomorphism**, portraying the earth as a building with "foundations" and a "cornerstone." This allows for a relatable understanding of creation in human terms, yet simultaneously magnifies God's creative power far beyond any human construction project. The use of **Parallelism** in the two clauses ("Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?" and "or who laid the corner stone thereof;") reinforces the central theme of God's singular role in establishing the earth's stability and order, with each clause echoing and amplifying the other's meaning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 38:6 stands as a powerful testament to God's unparalleled role as the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. It emphasizes that the universe is not a product of chance or chaos, but a meticulously designed and divinely ordered reality, established by the infinite wisdom and power of God. This verse connects to the broader biblical theme of God's cosmic architecture, where His creative acts are depicted with precision, foresight, and an underlying stability that defies human comprehension. The "foundations" and "cornerstone" imagery speaks to the absolute reliability and permanence of God's work, providing a secure backdrop against which all of life unfolds. It reminds us that the same God who laid the earth's immovable foundations is the one who orchestrates all of history and governs all circumstances, providing a profound sense of security and divine oversight.

* [Psalm 104:5](/psalms/104-5 "Psalm 104:5 - God Establishes the Earth")
* [Proverbs 3:19](/proverbs/3-19 "Proverbs 3:19 - The Lord by Wisdom Founded the Earth")
* [Isaiah 40:21-22](/isaiah/40-21-22 "Isaiah 40:21-22 - God Sits Above the Circle of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 38:6 invites us to step back from our immediate concerns and contemplate the sheer magnitude of God's creative power and wisdom. In a world often characterized by instability and uncertainty, this verse offers profound comfort and a call to humility. The God who meticulously designed and laid the very foundations of the earth, ensuring its stability and order, is the same God who oversees every detail of our lives. We are reminded that our understanding is finite, and our control is limited, yet we can place our trust in a Creator whose wisdom is immeasurable and whose power is absolute. This should lead us to a posture of worship, awe, and confident reliance, knowing that the One who established the cosmos is perfectly capable of guiding our paths, sustaining us through trials, and bringing His purposes to fruition in our lives and in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating God's meticulous creation of the earth deepen your trust in His control over your life, especially in times of uncertainty?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender your limited understanding to God's infinite wisdom and sovereign plan?**
* **How does the unanswerable nature of God's questions to Job encourage a posture of humility and worship in your own walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why does God ask rhetorical questions in Job 38?**

Answer: God asks rhetorical questions in Job 38 not to elicit answers from Job, but to demonstrate His infinite wisdom, power, and sovereignty, contrasting it sharply with Job's limited human understanding and experience. These questions serve to humble Job, shifting his focus from his personal suffering and perceived injustice to the immeasurable majesty and incomprehensible greatness of God as the Creator and Sustainer of the entire cosmos. They are designed to evoke awe and submission, leading Job to recognize God's rightful authority over all things, including his own circumstances, and to trust in His divine plan even when it is beyond human comprehension, as seen in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and Confession").

**What is the significance of the "cornerstone" in this verse?**

Answer: In ancient architecture, the cornerstone was the most crucial stone laid during construction. It was the first stone, perfectly cut and positioned, which determined the precise alignment, stability, and overall integrity of the entire building. In Job 38:6, the "cornerstone" symbolizes God's meticulous planning, perfect design, and authoritative execution in the creation of the earth. It signifies that the world was not formed haphazardly but with divine precision and an inherent order established from its very beginning. This powerful imagery of a foundational stone is later applied in the New Testament to Jesus Christ, who is described as the [chief cornerstone of the church](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ, the Chief Cornerstone"), the foundation of God's new spiritual temple, as also noted in [1 Peter 2:6](/1_peter/2-6 "1 Peter 2:6 - Christ, the Chosen Cornerstone").

**How does Job 38:6 relate to modern scientific understanding of the earth?**

Answer: Job 38:6 is a theological statement about God's creative agency and wisdom, not a scientific treatise. While it uses ancient cosmological metaphors ("foundations," "cornerstone"), its core message is that the earth's existence, stability, and intricate order are directly attributable to God's deliberate design and power. Modern science explores the "how" of creation through observable laws and processes, but Job 38:6 addresses the "who" and "why," attributing the underlying order and precision that science observes to divine wisdom. The verse emphasizes that the universe is not a product of random chance but of an ultimate, intelligent Architect, whose power and understanding far transcend human comprehension, regardless of the scientific models we use to describe the physical world. It posits that the very laws and structures science investigates are themselves a testament to the Creator's foundational work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 38:6, with its profound declaration of God as the ultimate architect of creation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament attributes the laying of the earth's foundations to God, the New Testament reveals that it was specifically through Christ that [all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, the Creator of All Things"), and that [by Him all things hold together](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ, the Sustainer of All Things"). The very wisdom and power that established the earth's "foundations" and "cornerstone" are perfectly embodied in the Son of God, the [Word through whom all things were made](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through the Word"). Furthermore, the imagery of the "cornerstone" takes on immense redemptive significance in the New Covenant, where Christ Himself is proclaimed as the [chief cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ, the Chief Cornerstone") of God's new spiritual temple, the Church ([1 Peter 2:6-7](/1_peter/2-6-7 "1 Peter 2:6-7 - Christ, the Living Stone")). Just as the physical earth finds its stability in God's foundational work, so too does our salvation and spiritual life find its unshakeable foundation in Christ, for "[no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ, the Only Foundation")" ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ, the Only Foundation")). Thus, the ancient questions posed to Job ultimately point to the one through whom all creation came into being and through whom all redemption is secured, revealing Christ as both the cosmic Creator and the saving Redeemer.

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 26:7

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.