Job 38:1-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 38:1-3

Let us observe here, 1. Who speaks?The Lord, Jehovah, not a created angel, but the eternal Word himself, the second person in the blessed Trinity, for it is he by whom the worlds were made, and that was no other than the Son of God. The same speaks here that afterwards spoke from Mount Sinai. Here he begins with the creation of the world, there with the redemption of Israel out of Egypt, and from both is inferred the necessity of our subjection to him. Elihu had said, God speaks to men and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 38:4-11

For the humbling of Job, God here shows him his ignorance even concerning the earth and the sea. Though so near, though so bulky, yet he could give no account of their origination, much less of heaven above or hell beneath, which are at such a distance, or of the several parts of matter which are so minute, and then, least of all, of the divine counsels. I. Concerning the founding of the earth. ?If he have such a mighty insight, as he pretends to have, into the counsels of God, let him give... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 38:12-24

The Lord here proceeds to ask Job many puzzling questions, to convince him of his ignorance, and so to shame him for his folly in prescribing to God. If we will but try ourselves with such interrogatories as these, we shall soon be brought to own that what we know is nothing in comparison with what we know not. Job is here challenged to give an account of six things:? I. Of the springs of the morning, the day-spring from on high, Job 38:12-15. As there is no visible being of which we may be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:1

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind ,.... As soon as Elihu had done speaking, who saw the tempest rising, and gave hints of it, Job 37:2 ; and hastened to finish his discourse. This was raised to give notice of the Lord being about to appear, and to display his majesty, and to command reverence and attention. The Targum calls it the whirlwind of distress, as it might be to Job; and a representation of the distressed and disturbed state and condition in which he was. The person... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:2

Who is this ,.... Meaning not Elihu the last speaker, as some think; and there are some who suppose not only that these words are directed to him, but all that is said in this and the following chapter: but it was Job the Lord spoke to and answered, as expressed in Job 38:1 ; and these words are taken by Job to himself, Job 42:3 . Concerning whom the Lord inquires, not as ignorant of him, who he was; but wondering that such a man as he should talk as he did; and as angry with him, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:3

Gird up now thy loins like a man ,.... Like a man of valour that girds on his harness for battle: Job is bid to prepare for the controversy the Lord was entering into with him; and bring forth his strong reasons and most powerful arguments in his own defence. The allusion is to the custom in the eastern countries, where they wore long garments, to gird them about their loins, when they engaged in work or war. Job had blustered what he would do, and now he is dared to it; see Job 23:4 ; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:4

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth ?.... The earth has foundations, and such firm ones that it cannot be moved; but what are they, since it is hung in the air on nothing! No other than the power and will of God, who laid these foundations, and the Son of God, who has created and upholds all things by the word of his power, Hebrews 1:3 . Where was Job then? In a state of nothingness, a mere nonentity: he was not present when this amazing work of nature was done, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:5

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest ?.... Did God or a creature? The Lord, no doubt. He laid them out in his divine mind, and laid them forth by his divine power; who does all things by weight and measure. He fixed the dimensions of the earth, how long, how thick, and how broad it should be; he settled the borders and boundaries of it. This Job might know that the Lord did; but he laid them, and what they are that are laid, he knew not. Mathematicians pretend to give us the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:6

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened ?.... Or the pillars of it, as Ben Gersom interprets it; see Psalm 75:3 ; and which Aben Ezra understands of the mountains: but be they what they may, on what can they be fastened or sunk into, when the earth hangs on nothing, and there is nothing visible to support it, nothing but the mighty hand of God? or who laid the corner stone thereof ? which unites, cements, and keeps the fabric together, and is the ornament and beauty of it; but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:7

When the morning stars sang together ,.... Either all the stars in a literal sense; for though, strictly speaking, there is but one morning star, yet all may be called so, because early created in the morning of the world; and are all stars of light, shine till the morning; and it is observed by some, that the nearer the morning the brighter they shine: and these in their way sing the praises of God, and set forth the glory of his perfections, and occasion songs of praise in men; see Psalm... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 38:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 38:4-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 38:12-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 38:7

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