Job 9:6

KJV

Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which shaketh {H7264} the earth {H776} out of her place {H4725}, and the pillars {H5982} thereof tremble {H6426}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He shakes the earth from its place; its supporting pillars tremble.

Berean Standard Bible

He shakes the earth from its place, so that its foundations tremble.

American Standard Version

That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 9:6 stands as a profound declaration by Job concerning the absolute, unchallengeable power and sovereignty of God. Within his intricate discourse responding to Bildad, Job employs vivid cosmic imagery, portraying God as the One who can effortlessly disrupt the very foundations of the earth, causing its perceived stable "pillars" to tremble. This verse powerfully underscores the Creator's immense might, emphasizing that even the most fundamental elements of creation are entirely subject to His will, thereby highlighting the vast chasm between divine omnipotence and human frailty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's second response to his friends (chapters 9-10), specifically following Bildad's rigid assertion of divine justice and the implication that Job's suffering must be a direct consequence of sin. Job 9:6 serves as a powerful counterpoint, not by denying God's justice, but by emphasizing God's overwhelming, incomprehensible power and wisdom, which transcends human understanding and logic. Job acknowledges that no one can contend with God or question His actions, as he states in [Job 9:4](/job/9-4 "Job 9:4 - God's Wisdom and Might"). The imagery of God shaking the earth out of its place is part of Job's larger argument that God's ways are inscrutable and His power absolute, making it futile for humanity to grasp or challenge His decrees, particularly in the face of inexplicable suffering. This verse sets the stage for Job's lament in the subsequent verses, where he expresses his despair over contending with such a mighty God and the apparent impossibility of finding an arbiter between himself and the Almighty, a theme explored further in [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32-33 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Plea for an Arbiter").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of the earth resting on "pillars" was a common cosmological understanding in the ancient Near East, not a literal scientific description but a poetic and mythological representation of the world's perceived stability. Various ancient cultures, including the Israelites, often depicted the earth as a flat disk supported by foundations or pillars that extended into the deep. This imagery communicated a sense of order and permanence, reflecting the human desire for a stable cosmos. Therefore, when Job declares that God "shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble," he is invoking a powerful, culturally resonant metaphor. He is not making a geological statement but a profound theological one: even what is considered the most stable and foundational element of existence is utterly contingent upon God's will and can be disrupted by His mere command. This highlights God's supreme authority over all creation, including the natural order that humanity relies upon for its very existence.
* **Key Themes:** Job 9:6 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It is a profound declaration of **Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control over the cosmos. The verse powerfully conveys that God is not merely powerful but possesses the ultimate authority to alter the very fabric of existence, demonstrating that even what seems most stable ("the pillars thereof") is entirely subject to His will. This resonates with other biblical passages that speak of God's foundational work, such as [Psalm 104:5](/psalms/104-5 "Psalm 104:5 - God Establishes the Earth"), which states, "He established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not totter forever and ever." In stark contrast to God's overwhelming power, the verse implicitly highlights **Human Frailty and Insignificance**. If God can shake the earth out of its place, what hope does a mere mortal have in contending with Him or understanding His ways? This theme underscores the vast gap between the finite human and the infinite divine, a central tension throughout [the book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job"). Furthermore, the verse introduces the theme of **Cosmic Instability at God's Command**. While the earth appears fixed, Job reminds us that its stability is entirely contingent upon God's will. This imagery speaks to the profound truth that all creation is upheld by God's power and can be disturbed or even dissolved by Him, a concept echoed in New Testament warnings about a future shaking, as seen in [Hebrews 12:26](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26 - God Shakes Heaven and Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shaketh (Hebrew, _râgaz'_):** The Hebrew verb רָגַז (_râgaz_) means "to quiver," "to tremble," "to be agitated," or "to quake." It often describes a violent emotion, such as anger or fear, but here it signifies a forceful, active, and powerful disruption of the earth. It implies not a gentle tremor but a profound, intentional shaking that causes fundamental instability and disquiet, conveying God's awesome and sometimes terrifying might.
* **Place (Hebrew, _mâqôwm'_):** The Hebrew word מָקוֹם (_mâqôwm_) refers to "a standing," "a spot," or "a locality." It can also figuratively denote a condition. In this context, "out of her place" emphasizes the radical nature of God's action—He is not merely causing a disturbance *in* the earth but displacing it *from* its established, stable position. This highlights the absolute nature of His sovereignty over the cosmos.
* **Pillars (Hebrew, _ʻammûwd'_):** The Hebrew word עַמּוּד (_ʻammûwd_) refers to "a column" or "a pillar." As a common ancient Near Eastern cosmological metaphor, these "pillars" represent the perceived foundational supports of the earth. By stating that these "pillars" tremble, Job emphasizes that God's power extends to the very deepest and most fundamental structures of the cosmos, implying that nothing is beyond His capacity to disrupt or reorder.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which shaketh the earth out of her place":** This clause vividly portrays God's active and decisive power over creation. The phrase "out of her place" emphasizes that God is not merely causing a minor tremor but is capable of displacing the entire earth from its perceived stable position. This highlights the absolute nature of His sovereignty—He can fundamentally alter the established order of the cosmos at will, demonstrating His unchallengeable authority over all of existence. The use of "shaketh" (a present tense verb) suggests an ongoing or inherent capacity, not a one-time event.
* **"and the pillars thereof tremble":** This second clause serves as a powerful parallel and consequence of the first. If the earth is shaken out of its place, it logically follows that its supporting "pillars" would tremble. This reinforces the imagery of ultimate instability at God's command. It suggests that even the most fundamental and seemingly unmovable supports of the world are utterly subject to God's power, capable of being destabilized and brought to naught by His will. The trembling signifies a response of awe and fear from creation in the face of its Creator's might, underscoring the profound impact of divine action.

#### Literary Devices
Job 9:6 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of a cosmic upheaval. The central literary device is **Metaphor**, where the "pillars" of the earth are not literal supports but represent the perceived stability and foundational order of the world. God's act of "shaking" these pillars serves as a metaphor for His absolute power to disrupt and control all of creation, even its most fundamental aspects. The verse also employs **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used to emphasize the immense, incomprehensible scale of God's power. While the earth is not literally moved from its orbit by a physical shake, the language conveys a power so vast it could achieve such a feat. Furthermore, there is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the two clauses of the verse ("Which shaketh the earth out of her place" and "and the pillars thereof tremble") express a similar idea in different words, reinforcing the central theme of God's overwhelming power to destabilize creation. The trembling of the pillars is a direct consequence and reiteration of the earth being shaken, intensifying the sense of divine might.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 9:6 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's power and humanity's place before Him. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty, not just as a theoretical concept, but as an active, disruptive force capable of overturning the very foundations of the cosmos. This verse challenges any human presumption of control or understanding, forcing a confrontation with the reality that creation's stability is entirely contingent upon God's will. It cultivates a deep sense of awe and humility, reminding us that the God who sustains all things can also, in His inscrutable wisdom, allow for or directly cause profound instability. This divine power, while awe-inspiring, also becomes a source of Job's struggle, as he grapples with how such a mighty God can permit such suffering, highlighting the tension between God's omnipotence and human experience of injustice.

* [Psalm 75:3](/psalms/75-3 "Psalm 75:3 - God Upholds the Earth's Pillars")
* [Isaiah 24:18-20](/isaiah/24-18-20 "Isaiah 24:18-20 - The Earth is Shaken and Crumbled")
* [Nahum 1:5](/nahum/1-5 "Nahum 1:5 - Mountains Quake Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 9:6 calls believers to a profound sense of humility and awe before the Creator. In a world that often seeks to control, explain, or even manipulate every aspect of existence, this verse serves as a stark reminder that there are forces and powers far beyond our grasp or comprehension. It compels us to acknowledge the sheer magnitude of God's being and the utter contingency of all creation upon His will. This understanding should cultivate a deep reverence within us, fostering a spirit of worship that recognizes God's unchallengeable authority. Furthermore, in times of personal or global instability, this verse, while initially daunting, can also offer a strange comfort: the same God who can shake the earth is also the one who holds it together, and His purposes, though often mysterious, are ultimately sovereign. It challenges us to surrender our illusion of control and to lean into divine wisdom, trusting that even when the "pillars" of our own lives seem to tremble, God remains steadfast on His throne, working all things according to His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God shaking the earth deepen your understanding of His absolute sovereignty and power?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on perceived stability or human control, and how might this verse challenge you to surrender more fully to God's ultimate authority?**
* **How can meditating on God's immense, even disruptive, power bring both a sense of awe and a paradoxical sense of peace in times of personal or societal instability?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply the earth is literally on pillars?**

Answer: No, Job 9:6 does not imply a literal, scientific understanding of the earth resting on physical pillars. Instead, it employs a common poetic and cosmological metaphor prevalent in the ancient Near East. In this worldview, the earth was often imagined as a stable structure, perhaps supported by foundations or columns extending into the deep. Job uses this familiar imagery to emphasize God's absolute power. If God can cause even these metaphorical, foundational "pillars" to tremble and the earth to be "shaken out of her place," it underscores that nothing in creation, no matter how seemingly stable or fundamental, is beyond His supreme authority and power to disrupt or control. It's a theological statement about God's might, not a scientific description of the earth's geology, much like the "windows of heaven" in [Genesis 7:11](/genesis/7-11 "Genesis 7:11 - The Floodgates of Heaven") are not literal windows.

**How does this verse relate to Job's suffering and his argument with his friends?**

Answer: Job 9:6 is a crucial part of Job's response to his friends, particularly Bildad, who had asserted that God punishes the wicked and that Job's suffering must therefore be due to his sin. Job, while not denying God's justice or power, uses this verse to highlight the vast, incomprehensible nature of God's might. He is essentially saying: "How can a mere mortal like me contend with a God who can shake the very foundations of the earth? His power is so immense and His ways so inscrutable that it is futile for me to try to understand or challenge Him, especially regarding my inexplicable suffering." The verse underscores the vast chasm between human understanding and divine wisdom, emphasizing God's unchallengeable authority and the impossibility of humans to fully grasp His dealings, especially when they appear unjust from a human perspective. It sets the stage for Job's lament about the inability to find justice or an audience with such a powerful, distant God, as seen in [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32-33 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Desire for an Arbiter").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 9:6 powerfully declares God's unchallengeable sovereignty over creation, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound revelation are found in Jesus Christ. The very power that "shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble" is perfectly embodied in the Son. The New Testament reveals that all things were created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). Jesus demonstrated this cosmic authority during His earthly ministry, commanding the winds and waves to obey Him ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking on the very waters that symbolize chaos ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), proving His dominion over the natural order that Job so awe-struckly described. Furthermore, the ultimate "shaking" of the heavens and earth, prophesied in the Old Testament, finds its redemptive purpose in Christ, leading to the establishment of an unshakable kingdom ([Hebrews 12:26-27](/hebrews/12-26-27 "Hebrews 12:26-27 - The Shaking of All Things and the Unshakable Kingdom")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed the powers of darkness and established a new creation, where the ultimate stability is found not in earthly pillars, but in His eternal reign. The same immeasurable greatness of God's power that raised Christ from the dead is now available to believers ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power Toward Us")), transforming the awe-inspiring, potentially terrifying power of Job 9:6 into a source of hope and security in the One who upholds all things by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")).

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 75:3

The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.

Isaiah 2:21

To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Haggai 2:6

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it [is] a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry [land];

Hebrews 12:26

Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Job 38:4

¶ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Job 38:7

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 26:11

The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.