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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:32

Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? The context implies that "Mazzaroth" is a constellation on a par with the Pleiades, Orion, and the Bear (Kimah, Kesil , and 'Aish ). This makes it impossible to accept the meaning, so generally assigned, of "the twelve signs of the Zodiac." Again, the plural form is fatal to the conjecture that "Mazzaroth" designates a single star or planet, as Jupiter, Venus, or Sirius (Cook). The word is derived probably from the root zahar , "to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 38:31

Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades? - The seven stars. On the meaning of the word used here (כימה kı̂ymâh), see the notes at Job 9:9. In regard to the meaning of the word rendered “sweet influences,” there has been considerable variety of interpretation. The Septuagint renders it, “Dost thou understand the band (δεσμόν desmon) of Pleiades?” The Hebrew word (מעדנה ma‛ădannâh) is naturally derived from a word signifying “pleasures,” or “delights” (מעדן ma‛âdan, from עדן ‛âdan,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 38:32

Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? - Margin, “the twelve signs;” that is, the twelve signs of the zodiac. There has been much diversity of opinion about the meaning of this word. It occurs nowhere else in the Scriptures, and of course it is not easy to determine its signification. The Septuagint retains the word μαξσυρὠθ maxsurōth, without attempting to translate it. Jerome renders it, “Luciferum - Lucifer,” the morning-star. The Chaldee, מזליא שטרי - the constellations of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 38:31

Job 38:31. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades? Generally understood of the seven stars, which, rising about the time of the vernal equinox, bring in the spring. Canst thou restrain or hinder their influences? Or loose the bands of Orion? By which it binds up the air and earth, rising in November, and bringing in the winter, attended with storms of rain and hail, or frost and snow. See note on Job 9:9. Whatever be the meaning of the words rendered Pleiades and Orion, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 38:32-33

Job 38:32-33. Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth? Namely, into view? Canst thou make the stars in the southern signs arise and appear? Or canst thou guide Arcturus? A northern constellation; with his sons? The lesser stars which belong to it, which are placed round about it, and attend upon it as children upon their parents. Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? The laws which are firmly established concerning their order, motion or rest, and their powerful influences upon this lower... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 38:1-38

38:1-42:17GOD’S ANSWERControl of the natural world (38:1-38)Possibly an approaching storm was what prompted Elihu’s poetic praise of the God of nature (see 36:27-37:5). If so, that storm now broke, and through it the voice of God spoke to Job. Job had repeatedly challenged God to a contest. God now accepts (38:1-3).In his reply, God asks Job questions that he cannot answer, in order to show him how little he knows of the mind and activity of the Almighty. God begins his ironical questioning of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 38:31

Pleiades. Hebrew. kimah. See App-12 . Orion. Hebrew kesil. App-12 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 38:32

Mazzarotli = the twelve signs of the Zodiac marking the path of the sun in the heavens. App-12 . Arcturus. Hebrew. 'ayish the greater sheepfold: known to day as "the great bear". See App-12 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Job 38:31

QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONSTELLATIONS"Canst thou bind the cluster of the Pleiades,Or loose the bands of Orion?Canst thou lead forth the Mazaroth in their season?Or canst thou guide the Bear with her train?Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens?Canst thou establish the dominion thereof in the earth?"Four of the great constellations that adorn the heavens are mentioned here: (1) The Pleiades, always prominent in the Spring; (2) Orion which dominates the wintry skies; (3) Ursa Major (The... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 38:31

Job 38:31. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades— See the note on chap. Job 9:9. read more

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