Job 26

1 Then [at that point, in response] Job [the patriarch, a man of faith] answered [replied, responded with words, to say] [and said, to speak, to declare]: word study 2 “How you have helped [assisted, given aid to] the powerless [without strength, weak] and saved [rescued, delivered] the arm [the arm as stretched out; strength, might, power] that is feeble [lacking strength, weak, without power]! word study 3 How you have counseled [given guidance to, advised] the unwise [lacking wisdom, foolish] and provided [supplied, made known] fully sound [complete, thorough] insight [understanding, knowledge]! word study 4 To whom [whose person] have you uttered [declared, spoken] these words [speech, topics]? And whose [which one’s] spirit [breath, wind] spoke [came out, was expressed] through you [from within you, out of your inner being]? word study 5 The dead [deceased, shades, Rephaim] tremble [twist in fear, are formed]— those [inhabitants, dwellers, spirits] beneath [underneath, below] the waters [liquid, source of refreshment] and those who dwell [live, stay] in them [the deep, the underworld]. word study 6 Sheol [the underworld, grave, place of the dead] is naked [exposed, uncovered, laid bare] before God [the Almighty, All-Knowing], and Abaddon [destruction, ruin, the place of perishing] has no covering [veil, concealment, hiding place]. word study 7 He stretches out [expands, spreads] the north [Zaphon, the northern direction] over empty [desolate, barren] space [the huge empty space]; He hangs [suspends, balances] the earth [the land, the material world] upon [on, above] nothing [no foundation, nothingness]. word study 8 He wraps up [binds, gathers] the waters [liquid, source of refreshment] in His clouds [thick, dense clouds], yet the clouds [cloudy, a sign of God’s presence] do not burst [break up, open] under their own weight [underneath, below]. word study 9 He covers [veils, withholdeth] the face [presence, before] of the full moon [throne, high seat], spreading [spreading out, expansively] over it [upon, above] His cloud [cloudy, divine presence]. word study 10 He has inscribed [described, set bounds] a horizon [circle, boundary] on the face [presence, surface] of the waters [liquid, source of refreshment] at the boundary [limit, end] between light [natural and spiritual illumination] and darkness [physical and spiritual, misery]. word study 11 The foundations [pillars, columns of support] of heaven [the visible universe, sky] quake [tremble, shake violently], astounded [amazed, stunned] at His rebuke [stern warning, correction, reproof]. word study 12 By His [divine, supernatural] power [strength, might] He stirred [calmed, quieted, disturbed] the sea [a large body of water]; by His [wise, discerning] understanding [intelligence, insight] He shattered [wounded, smote, severely damaged] Rahab [the proud one]. word study 13 By His [breath of life, spirit] breath the skies [heavens, the visible universe] were cleared [made bright, beautified]; His hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] pierced the fleeing [swift, gliding] serpent [snake]. word study 14 Indeed, these [specific things, parts] are but the fringes [outskirts, edges] of His ways [paths, manner of life]; how faint [small, little] is the whisper [soft sound, quiet voice] we hear [perceive, understand] of Him! Who [what person, which one] then can understand [comprehend, discern] the thunder [loud rumbling, powerful sound] of His power [strength, might]?” word study