Job 38:1-3 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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 38:1

The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind - It is not סופה suphah , as in the preceding chapter, Job 37:9 ; but סורה searah , which signifies something turbulent, tumultuous, or violently agitated; and here may signify what we call a tempest, and was intended to fill Job's mind with solemnity, and an awful sense of the majesty of God. The Chaldee has, a whirlwind of grief, making the whole rather allegorical than real; impressing the scene on Job's imagination. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 38:2

Who is this that darkeneth counsel - As if he had said, Who art thou who pretendest to speak on the deep things of God, and the administration of his justice and providence, which thou canst not comprehend; and leavest my counsels and designs the darker for thy explanation? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 38:3

Gird up now thy loins - I will not confound thee with my terrors; dismiss all fearful apprehensions from thy mind; now act like a man, כגבר kegeber , like a hero: stand and vindicate thyself. For I will demand of thee - I will ask thee a series of questions more easy of solution than those which thou hast affected to discuss already; and then thou shalt have the opportunity of answering for thyself. The most impressive and convincing manner of arguing is allowed to be that by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:1

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind . It is remarked, with reason, that the special mention of Job as the person answered "implies that another speaker had intervened" (Wordsworth); while the attachment of the article to the word "whirlwind" implies some previous mention of that phenomenon, which is only to be found in the discourse of Elihu ( Job 37:9 ). Both points have an important bearing on the genuineness of the disputed section, ch. 32-37. And said . The question... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:1

Job 42:6 The discourses of Jehovah. At length, in answer to the repeated appeals of Job, the Almighty appears, not to crush and overwhelm, as fear had often suggested, but to reason with his servant; to appeal to his spiritual intelligence, rather than to smite him into lower prostration by some thunderbolt of rebuke. "Come now, and let us reason together," is the gracious invitation of him who is Eternal Reason, amidst the wild clamours of our passion and despondency. At the same time,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:1

A theophany. At length Job has his wish. He has been longing to meet with God and praying for God to reveal himself. The time has now come for God to hear his prayer and make his will known. This is far more important than man's speculations. I. THE COMING OF GOD . 1 . The time of his coming. God comes last. The three friends have had their say, reiterating till they weary us. Job has been free to vent his grief and his despair. Elihu, more enlightened, yet not quite... read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 38:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 38:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 38:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 38:1

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