Job 26:5

¶ Dead [things] are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

Dead {H7496} things are formed {H2342} from under the waters {H4325}, and the inhabitants {H7931} thereof.

"The ghosts of the dead tremble beneath the water, with its creatures.

The dead tremble— those beneath the waters and those who dwell in them.

They that are deceased tremble Beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof.

Commentary

Context

Job 26:5 is part of Job's magnificent discourse on the omnipotence and wisdom of God, a direct response that follows Bildad's brief and somewhat inadequate speech in chapter 25. Job is not merely defending himself but is eloquently proclaiming God's immense power, which far surpasses human comprehension and control. In this chapter, Job describes God's dominion over the cosmos, from the heavens to the earth, and even to the deepest, most mysterious parts of creation. This particular verse highlights God's authority over realms traditionally associated with chaos, death, and the unseen world, emphasizing that nothing is beyond His sovereign reach.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's absolute control over all aspects of creation, including those considered deepest, darkest, or most mysterious. It underscores that even the forces of death and the unseen inhabitants of the deep are subject to His power and formation.
  • The Mysterious Depths: The phrase "under the waters" alludes to ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, where the waters beneath the earth were often associated with the underworld, the abode of the dead, or primeval chaos. Job declares that even this hidden, formidable realm is not outside God's jurisdiction.
  • God's Authority Over Death: By speaking of "dead [things]" or "shades" being formed, Job points to God's dominion over life and death itself, implying that even the spirits of the departed are ultimately under His command. This theme resonates with later biblical declarations of God's power over the grave (Psalm 139:8) and Christ's victory over death (Revelation 1:18).

Linguistic Insight

The KJV translation "Dead [things]" for the Hebrew word רְפָאִים (repha'im) is significant. This term has a dual meaning in the Old Testament. It can refer to ancient, mighty inhabitants or giants, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:11. More commonly, and likely in this context, it refers to the "shades" or spirits of the dead who reside in Sheol, the underworld (e.g., Psalm 88:10, Isaiah 26:14). The verb "formed" (חוֹלְלָוּ - cholalu) carries connotations of being brought forth, travailed, or made, suggesting that even these shadowy inhabitants of the deep are not self-existent but are subject to God's creative or formative power. This highlights God's active involvement and control over every realm.

Significance and Application

Job 26:5 offers a profound declaration of God's limitless power and wisdom. For a general audience, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that there is no place, no entity, and no circumstance outside of God's ultimate authority.

  • Awe and Trust: Understanding God's control over even the most mysterious and seemingly unconquerable realms, such as death and the deep, should inspire profound awe and unwavering trust. If God governs these unseen forces, He certainly has control over our known world and personal circumstances.
  • Comfort in the Face of the Unknown: In a world filled with unknowns, fears, and the ultimate mystery of death, this verse provides comfort. It assures us that even what is hidden from our sight or beyond our comprehension is under the watchful eye and sovereign hand of God.
  • Reinforcement of God's Majesty: Job's poetic language elevates God's majesty beyond human words, inviting us to contemplate the vastness of His power that extends from the highest heavens to the deepest abyss (Psalm 104:6). This should lead us to worship and humble submission to such a magnificent Creator.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 6:4 (3 votes)

    ¶ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.

  • Psalms 88:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

  • Job 41:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?

  • Job 41:34 (2 votes)

    He beholdeth all high [things]: he [is] a king over all the children of pride.

  • Ezekiel 29:3 (1 votes)

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.

  • Ezekiel 29:5 (1 votes)

    And I will leave thee [thrown] into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.

  • Psalms 104:25 (1 votes)

    [So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.