Job 9:7

KJV

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which commandeth {H559} the sun {H2775}, and it riseth {H2224} not; and sealeth up {H2856} the stars {H3556}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He commands the sun, and it fails to rise; he shuts up the stars under his seal.

Berean Standard Bible

He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars.

American Standard Version

That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 9:7 is a powerful declaration by Job, acknowledging the immense and unchallengeable sovereignty of God over the natural world. In his profound despair and struggle to comprehend divine justice, Job highlights God's absolute control, asserting His ability to command the sun not to rise and to obscure the stars. This verse underscores the Creator's dominion over the most fundamental elements of creation, emphasizing that the regular patterns of the cosmos are entirely subject to His will, thereby illustrating the vast chasm between God's omnipotence and human frailty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 9:7 is embedded within Job's first response to Bildad's speech, specifically in a section where Job grapples with God's overwhelming power and his own inability to contend with or justify himself before such a formidable deity. Chapters 9 and 10 form a sustained monologue where Job articulates his sense of helplessness and the inscrutability of divine justice. Following Job's lament about God's irresistible might in moving mountains and shaking the earth in [Job 9:5-6](/job/9-5 "Job 9:5-6 - God's Power Over Creation"), verse 7 continues this theme by extending God's dominion to the celestial bodies. Job is not denying God's power but rather expressing his profound despair that a human being, however righteous, could ever stand in judgment against such an omnipotent being. This verse serves as a rhetorical illustration of God's absolute freedom from the very laws of nature He established, further solidifying Job's feeling of being utterly outmatched.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the sun, moon, and stars were often deified or seen as powerful entities influencing human destiny. Cultures relied heavily on celestial movements for agriculture, navigation, and timekeeping, making the regularity of these bodies a cornerstone of their understanding of the cosmos. For Job, an inhabitant of the land of Uz (likely in Edom or northern Arabia), the desert night sky would have been a constant, awe-inspiring presence, with the sun's daily rising and setting dictating life itself. To suggest that God could command the sun not to rise or seal up the stars was to posit a power that transcended all human experience and expectation, demonstrating absolute control over the very fabric of existence. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an audience that understood the profound dependence of life on these celestial cycles.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Foremost is **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, asserting that God is not merely the creator but also the sustainer and ultimate controller of the cosmos, whose will dictates even the most fundamental aspects of natural order. The imagery of controlling the sun and stars highlights **Divine Power Over Creation**, depicting celestial bodies—which dictated life, time, and even religious practices in the ancient world—as mere instruments in God's hands, their function entirely dependent on His decree. By extension, this vivid portrayal of divine omnipotence underscores **Human Impotence** and insignificance before God. If God can command the sun and stars, how much more powerless is humanity? This theme is central to Job's struggle, as he grapples with his inability to comprehend or challenge God's ways, a sentiment echoed throughout his lament, particularly in [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Desire for an Arbiter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commandeth (Hebrew: צָוָה, _tsawah'_):** This verb signifies to "command, order, appoint, ordain." It denotes an authoritative decree, not a request or a suggestion. When applied to God, it emphasizes His absolute authority and sovereign will. The implication is that God's command is immediately effective and irresistible, even over the most fundamental and seemingly unchangeable aspects of the natural world.
* **Riseth not (Hebrew: לֹא יִזְרָח, _lo' yizrach'_):** The verb "זָרַח" (_zarach'_) means "to rise, shine forth, break out." Coupled with the negative "לֹא" (_lo'_), it describes the cessation of the sun's expected daily appearance. This is not necessarily a historical event but a powerful hypothetical illustration of God's power to suspend the natural order. It speaks to His ability to disrupt the very rhythm of day and night, a fundamental aspect of life on Earth, evoking a sense of divine authority that transcends all predictability.
* **Sealeth up (Hebrew: וְחָתַם, _v'chatam'_):** This verb means "to seal, to shut up, to make inaccessible or secure." In ancient contexts, sealing could mean to close off (like a tomb or a document), to mark as complete, or to protect. Here, it poetically suggests God's power to obscure, cover, or prevent the stars from shining. Just as a document is sealed to make its contents inaccessible or to mark its completion, God can "seal up" the stars, rendering their light unseen or their presence unnoticed. This highlights His intimate and total control over the vast expanse of the night sky.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not;":** This clause vividly portrays God's ultimate dominion over the most essential celestial body. The sun's daily rising is the most predictable and foundational aspect of earthly existence, marking time, enabling life, and providing light. By stating that God can command it *not* to rise, Job emphasizes that God is not bound by the natural laws He Himself established. This is a hypothetical scenario, not a recorded event, designed to illustrate the sheer, unchallengeable scope of divine power, far beyond human comprehension or control.
* **"and sealeth up the stars.":** This parallel clause extends God's sovereignty to the entire nocturnal firmament. The imagery of "sealing up" suggests that God can obscure, extinguish, or prevent the stars from appearing. In a world without artificial light, the stars were crucial for navigation, time, and a sense of cosmic order. God's ability to "seal them up" signifies His complete authority over the vast, seemingly infinite expanse of the heavens, demonstrating that even the most distant and numerous lights of the night sky are entirely subject to His will and can be rendered invisible at His command.

#### Literary Devices
Job 9:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey God's immense power. **Hyperbole** is central, as the scenario of the sun not rising or the stars being sealed is presented not as a literal historical event, but as an exaggerated illustration of God's limitless capability. This overstatement serves to emphasize the absolute nature of divine control. **Anthropomorphism** is also evident, as God is described with human actions: "commanding" and "sealing up." While God is spirit, these human-like actions make His power relatable and understandable to the human mind, portraying Him as an active agent in the cosmos. Furthermore, **Parallelism** is used between the two clauses, "commandeth the sun, and it riseth not" and "sealeth up the stars," reinforcing the singular idea of God's comprehensive dominion over both day and night, the most prominent celestial bodies. The sun and stars also function as **Symbolism**, representing the entire cosmic order and the predictable rhythms of nature. By asserting God's power to disrupt these fundamental elements, Job symbolizes God's ultimate authority over all creation, highlighting His freedom from any constraints.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 9:7 profoundly asserts God's absolute sovereignty, not only as the Creator but as the active sustainer and potential disruptor of the cosmic order. It emphasizes that the regularities of nature, which humanity often takes for granted, are entirely dependent on God's ongoing will and command. This truth challenges human presumption and fosters a deep sense of awe and humility before a God whose power transcends all earthly and even celestial bounds. It reminds us that our understanding of the universe is limited and that God's ways are ultimately inscrutable, demanding faith and submission rather than intellectual mastery.

* [Joshua 10:12-13](/joshua/10-12 "Joshua 10:12-13 - The Sun Stands Still")
* [Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Isaiah 40:26](/isaiah/40-26 "Isaiah 40:26 - God Calls the Stars by Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 9:7 serves as a profound reminder of God's unchallengeable might and His absolute dominion over all creation, inviting us to humble ourselves before His majestic sovereignty. In a world that often seeks to explain everything through natural laws or human ingenuity, this verse reorients our perspective, pointing to a God who is not merely the architect of the universe but its active and ultimate controller. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of awe and reverence, prompting us to worship Him for His limitless power. Furthermore, if God can command the sun and stars, the grandest elements of creation, then surely He is in control of our individual lives, even amidst chaos, suffering, or seemingly inexplicable circumstances. This provides a powerful basis for trust and surrender, knowing that our lives are held in the hands of the One who governs the cosmos. It also encourages humility, reminding us that our human understanding is finite compared to God's infinite wisdom and power, leading us to rely on His wisdom rather than our own limited perceptions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating God's power over the sun and stars impact your sense of awe and worship?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control, trusting in the God who commands the cosmos?**
* **How does this verse challenge any tendency to rely solely on natural explanations or human capabilities, rather than divine sovereignty?**
* **What comfort or challenge do you find in the idea that God can disrupt the very order of nature if He chooses?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 9:7 describe a literal historical event, or is it hypothetical?**

Answer: While the Bible records instances of God supernaturally affecting celestial bodies, such as the sun standing still for Joshua in [Joshua 10:12-13](/joshua/10-12 "Joshua 10:12-13 - The Sun Stands Still"), Job 9:7 is generally understood as a hypothetical statement, a rhetorical flourish designed to emphasize God's absolute and unchallengeable power. Job is not recounting a past event but illustrating God's *capacity* to disrupt the most fundamental and predictable aspects of the natural order. It serves to highlight that God is not bound by the very laws He established for creation, demonstrating His supreme sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 9:7 speaks of God's raw, cosmic power in the Old Testament, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that the very God who "commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars" is the Triune God, and that Jesus, the Son, is the active agent of this divine power. [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator") declares that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him." Furthermore, [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ as Sustainer") states that "in him all things hold together," meaning that the very consistency and order of the cosmos, including the rising of the sun and the shining of the stars, are sustained by Christ's continuous power. He is the one who calmed the storm with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), walked on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), and whose future return will be marked by cosmic signs, including the darkening of the sun and moon ([Matthew 24:29](/matthew/24-29 "Matthew 24:29 - Cosmic Signs of Christ's Return")). Thus, the terrifying, unapproachable power Job describes in [Job 9:7](/job/9-7 "Job 9:7 - God's Power Over Creation") is fully embodied in Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, bridging the chasm between humanity and the divine, and through whom we can approach this awesome power with grace and truth ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")).

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

Isaiah 13:10

For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Amos 8:9

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

Luke 21:25

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:26

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Ezekiel 32:7

And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.

Ezekiel 32:8

All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD.

Matthew 24:29

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: