Job 9:7 — Word Study
WLCהָאֹמֵ֣ר לַ֭חֶרֶס וְלֹ֣א יִזְרָ֑ח וּבְעַ֖ד כּוֹכָבִ֣ים יַחְתֹּֽם׃
BSAHe commandsʼâmar [speaking to, commanding, gives orders to, speaks to] the sunchereç [referring to the celestial body] notlôʼ [indicating absence or negation] to shinezârach▸ [to rise, come up] He seals offbᵉʻad [as the supreme authority, closes, locks, shuts up, prevents from shining] the starskôwkâb [celestial bodies, princes or leaders]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הָאֹמֵ֣ר | the [one who] speaks | Particle, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| לַ֭חֶרֶס | to the sun | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְלֹ֣א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| יִזְרָ֑ח | it shines | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| וּבְעַ֖ד | and behind | Conjunction |
| כּוֹכָבִ֣ים | [the] stars | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יַחְתֹּֽם׃ | he puts a seal | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars. |
| KJV | Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. |
| ASV | That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars; |
| YLT | Who is speaking to the sun, and it riseth not, And the stars He sealeth up. |
| WEB | He commands the sun and it doesn’t rise, and seals up the stars. |
| BBE | Who gives orders to the sun, and it does not give its light; and who keeps the stars from shining. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of the verbs used for 'commands' and 'seals' — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate clause, emphasizing the actions God takes regarding celestial bodies.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָרַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 9:7
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job Reflects on God's Sovereigntygenerated
Job 9:7 highlights God's supreme authority over the universe, illustrating His power to command the sun and seal the stars. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job contemplates the might of God, emphasizing the Creator's control over nature and the cosmos, as seen in the surrounding verses that describe God's actions and creations.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 10:21–22 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.” |
| 2 | Joshua 10:12 | On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” |
| 3 | Daniel 4:35 | All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” |
| 4 | Amos 4:13 | For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind and reveals His thoughts to man, who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth— the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name.” |
| 5 | Amos 8:9 | And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָתַם, yach.Tomgenerated
The verb חָתַם (cha.tam) means to seal or close off. It conveys the action of marking or securing something, often with authority. In this verse, it signifies God's ability to restrict or control the stars, suggesting a divine authority over celestial phenomena.
This verb appears in various contexts, indicating closure or sealing, and is used to describe both physical and metaphorical sealing. Here, it underscores God's power to prevent the stars from shining, reinforcing the theme of His sovereignty.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which states, 'He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars.' The KJV and ASV agree with this wording, emphasizing God's command and sealing action.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֹמֵ֣ר (omer), meaning 'speaks', governs the verse, with two clauses following: one describing the command to the sun and the other detailing the sealing of the stars. The structure emphasizes God's authoritative speech and control over creation.
The Hebrew word order places the subject of the command first, highlighting God's active role as the speaker and the authority behind the commands.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֹמֵ֣ר as λέγων (legōn), meaning 'speaking'. This choice reflects a direct rendering of the Hebrew, maintaining the emphasis on God's commanding voice.
For חָתַם, the LXX uses κατασφραγίζει (katasphragizō), which means 'to seal up'. This choice broadens the concept of sealing, suggesting a more comprehensive action of locking away or securing.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 9:7 describes God's power to command the sun not to shine and to seal off the stars. This shows God's authority over the universe and His ability to control celestial bodies.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's supreme authority over creation, illustrating that He can dictate the functions of celestial bodies.
Sealing the stars indicates God's control over the cosmos, preventing them from shining as He wills.
These celestial bodies represent God's creation and power, emphasizing His dominion over all things.
Job acknowledges God's unparalleled authority and control, which shapes his perspective on suffering and divine justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's authority reflected in the natural world around me?
- How can I apply the understanding of God's control over creation to my own life and challenges?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's sovereignty when I face difficulties?
- How can I deepen my appreciation for the majesty of God's creation as described in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators have reflected on this verse, noting its implications for understanding God's power and authority over creation.
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and shutteth up the stars as under a seal. Now sometimes in Holy Writ by the title of 'sun,' we have the brightness of the Preachers represented, as it is said by John,Early Church Fathers on Job 9 →
Here the author is probably speaking about what happened in Egypt for three days, or about what happens sometimes to the stars that become hidden.Early Church Fathers on Job 9 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 9:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhich commandeth the sun, and it riseth not,.... Either he could do it if he would, by a word speaking, as he ordered it to stand still in the times of Joshua, Joshua 10:13, and caused the shadow to
Read John Gill on Job 9 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhich commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not - namely, in an eclipse, or the darkness that accompanies earthquakes (Job 9:6).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 9 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe speaks either, 1. Of that which God can do; or rather, (as he doth in the foregoing and following instances,) 2. Of what God actually doth; and that either, 1. Ordinarily; and so he gives laws to the sun that it shall not rise, but at such times, and to such places, and in such manner as he hath appointed; as that it shall rise constantly at its set time, and never disorderly; that it shall not rise for divers months together in some parts of the world, &c. Or rather, 2. Extraordinarily; (for of such works of God he discourseth in this place;) and so it may note either some stop given to the sun for a small season, like that in Joshua’ s time; which might have been, though it be not…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 9 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 9:7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.Ver. 7. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not] God, in framing the world, began above, and wrought downward; but Job, in describing the great works of God here, began below; and now goes upward from earth to heaven. It is as natural to the heaven to move as to the earth to stand still. Copernicus’ s opinion, that the earth turns round, and heaven stands still, is worthily exploded. Round the earth is, indeed, notwithstanding the hills and valleys (as an apple is round, notwithstanding some knots and bunches in it), and being round, it is naturally apt for motion (the Pythagoreans held that the earth was…
Read John Trapp on Job 9 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) And sealeth up the stars—Comp. Job 41:15. The idea of shutting up, taking away the power of, &c., is contained in the expression “sealing.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 9 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. Which commandeth the sun] Obscures it either with clouds, with thick darkness, or with an eclipse. Sealeth up the stars.] Like the contents of a letter, wrapped up and sealed, so that it cannot be read. Sometimes the heavens become as black as ebony, and no star, figure, or character, in this great book of God can be read.
Read AdamClarke on Job 9 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. The reference may be to days when from storm and darkness the sun seems not to rise, or to eclipses and sudden obscurations of the heavenly bodies.
Read Cambridge on Job 9 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhich commandeth the sun, and it riseth not - Schultens supposes that all this is a description of the deluge - when the mountains were removed, when the fountains of the deep were broken up, and
Read Albert Barnes on Job 9 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars.
He commands the sun and it doesn’t rise, and seals up the stars.
He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars.
he who commands the sun and it does not shine and seals up the stars;
Tyndale line
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars;
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
He commandeth the sunne, and it riseth not: hee closeth vp the starres, as vnder a signet.
Strictly literal
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and he sealeth up the stars;
Who is speaking to the sun, and it riseth not, And the stars He sealeth up.
Who is commanding to the sun, and it does not rise, || And the stars He seals up.
Who speaketh to the sun, and he shineth not, and around the stars he placeth a seal;
It is the same God who tells the sun not to rise, and it does not, and who covers up the stars,
From the Latin
Who commandeth tile sun and it riseth not: and shutteth up the stars as it were under a seal:
Simplified
He is the one who can command the sun not to rise and the stars not to shine.
Who gives orders to the sun, and it does not give its light; and who keeps the stars from shining.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with all seven words matched. This indicates a consistent transmission of the text across these traditions.
הָאֹמֵ֣ר לַ֭חֶרֶס וְלֹ֣א יִזְרָ֑ח וּבְעַ֖ד כּוֹכָבִ֣ים יַחְתֹּֽם׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 9:7
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Art | V-Qal — Particle · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHTd/Vqrmsa
חֶ֫רֶס (cherec) refers to both 'sun' and 'itch,' specifically an eruptive disease. The word is derived from a root meaning to scrape, which connects to the idea of an itch. It appears in Deuteronomy 28:27 in the context of a disease.
ref
H2775a חֶ֫רֶס sun H2775b חֶ֫רֶס an eruptive disease, itch
2775 cherec kheh'-res
or (with a directive enclitic) charcah (khar'- saw}; from an
unused root meaning to scrape; the itch; also (perhaps from
the mediating idea of 2777) the sun:--itch, sun.
see HEBREW for 02777
חֶ֫רֶס (che.res) — sun.
sun
חֶ֫רֶס (che.res) — itch.
itch, an eruptive disease
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
Sun
(Heb. shemesh), first mentioned along with the moon as the two great luminaries of heaven (Gen. 1:14-18). By their motions and influence they were intended to mark and divide times and seasons. The worship of the sun was one of the oldest forms of false religion (Job 31:26,27), and was common among the Egyptians and Chaldeans and other pagan nations. The Jews were warned against this form of idolatry (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; comp. 2 Kings 23:11; Jer. 19:13).
In the history of "greater light," of the creation the sun is described as "greater light," in contradistinction to the moon, the "lesser light," in conjunction with which it was to serve "for signs and for seasons, and for days, and for years," while its special office was "to rule the day." (Genesis 1:14-16) The "signs" referred to were probably such extraordinary phenomena as eclipses, which were regarded as conveying premonitions of coming events. (Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 24:29) with Luke 21:25 The joint influence assigned to the sun and moon in deciding the "seasons," both for agricultural operations and for religious festivals, and also in regulating the length and…
→ Created Ge 1:14-18; Ps 74:16; 136:7; Jer 31:35
→ Rising and setting of Ec 1:5
→ Diurnal motion of Ps 19:4,6
→ Worship of, forbidden De 4:19; 17:3
→ Worshiped Job 31:26-28; Jer 8:2; Eze 6:4,6; 8:16
→ Kings of Judah dedicate horses to 2Ki 23:11
→ Miracles concerning
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
זָרַח (zarach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rise or come forth. It conveys the idea of something breaking out or shining, often associated with the rising of the sun. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including the appearance of symptoms in leprosy.
זָרַח vb. rise, come forth
base
H2224 זָרַח rise, come forth
2224 zarach zaw-rakh'
a primitive root; properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth
beams), i.e. to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as
a symptom of leprosy):--arise, rise (up), as soon as it is up.
זָרַח (za.rach) — to rise.
1) to rise, come forth, break out, arise, rise up, shine
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rise
1a2) to come out, appear
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
בַּ֫עַד (ba'ad) is a Hebrew word that functions as a preposition and noun, indicating separation or position, such as 'away from,' 'behind,' 'about,' or 'on behalf of.' It is derived from a root meaning to separate and covers a range of spatial and metaphorical uses. The lexicons agree on its meanings, with variations in emphasis on specific usages.
בַּ֫עַד subst. prop. separation, with a gen., in separation from, in usage a prep. away from, behind, about, on behalf of
base
H1157 בַּ֫עַד subst. prop. separation, with a gen., in separation from, in usage a prep. away from, behind, about, on behalf of
1157 b`ad beh-ad'
from 5704 with prepositional prefix; in up to or over
against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for,
etc.:--about, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on),
within.
see HEBREW for 05704
בַּ֫עַד (be.ad) — about/through/for.
1) behind, through, round about, on behalf of, away from, about
1a) through (of action)
1b) behind (with verbs of shutting)
1c) about (with verbs of fencing)
1d) on behalf of (metaph. especially with Hithpael)
Conj | Prep — ConjunctionHC/Acbsc
כּוֹכָב (kowkab) means 'star' and is likely derived from a root related to rolling or blazing. It can refer to a literal star or figuratively to a prince or significant figure, including associations with the Messiah and God's omniscience.
כּוֹכָב n.m. star
base
H3556 כּוֹכָב star
3556 kowkab ko-kawb'
probably from the same as 3522 (in the sense of rolling) or
3554 (in the sense of blazing); a star (as round or as
shining); figuratively, a prince:--star((-gazer)).
see HEBREW for 03522
see HEBREW for 03554
כּוֹכָב (ko.khav) — star.
1) star
1a) of Messiah, brothers, youth, numerous progeny, personification, God's omniscience (fig.)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Stars
The eleven stars (Gen. 37:9); the seven (Amos 5:8); wandering (Jude 1:13); seen in the east at the birth of Christ, probably some luminous meteors miraculously formed for this specific purpose (Matt. 2:2-10); stars worshipped (Deut. 4:19; 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3; Jer. 19:13); spoken of symbolically (Num. 24:17; Rev. 1:16, 20; 12:1). (See ASTROLOGERS.)
חָתַם (cha.tam) means to seal or affix a seal. It covers various forms, including sealing up, locking up, and being stopped. The verb appears in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of sealing and closure. The Aramaic equivalent is also noted.
חָתַם vb. seal, affix seal, seal up
Qal
seal, affix one’s seal, in attestation
seal up, fasten up by sealing
Niph. (it was) written and sealed
Pi. lit. by day they seal up for themselves, i.e acc. to most, they shut themselves up
Hiph. or hath his flesh (genital organ) shewn stoppage by reason of his flux.
base
H2856 חָתַם seal, affix seal, seal up
2856 chatham khaw-tham'
a primitive root; to close up; especially to seal:--make an
end, mark, seal (up), stop.
חָתַם (cha.tam) — to seal.
1) to seal, seal up, affix a seal
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to seal, affix one's seal
1a2) to seal up, fasten up by sealing
1b) (Niphal) to seal
1c) (Piel) to lock up
1d) (Hiphil) to be stopped
Aramaic equivalent: cha.tam (חֲתַם "to seal" H2857)
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
sel (substantive chotham, "seal," "signet," Tabba`ath, "signet-ring"; Aramaic `izqa'; sphragis; verb chatham, (Aramaic chatham); (sphragizo), (katasphragizomai, "to seal"):
I. Literal Sense.
A seal is an instrument of stone, metal or other hard substance (sometimes set in a ring), on which is engraved some device or figure, and is used for making an impression on some soft substance, as clay or wax, affixed to a document or other object, in token of authenticity.
1. Prevalence in Antiquity:
The use of seals goes back to a very remote antiquity, especially in Egypt, Babylonia and Assyria. Herodotus (i.195) records the Babylonian custom of wearing signets. In Babylonia the seal generally took the form of a cylinder cut in crystal or some hard stone, which was bored through from end to end and a cord passed through it. The design, often accompanied by the owner's name, was engraved on the…
Seal
Commonly a ring engraved with some device (Gen. 38:18, 25). Jezebel “wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal” (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish history (Deut. 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Cant. 8:6; Isa. 8:16; Jer. 22:24; 32:44, etc.). Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal. “The use of a signet-ring by the monarch has recently received a remarkable illustration by the…
The importance attached to seals in the East is so great that without one no document is regarded as authentic. Among the methods of sealing used in Egypt at a very early period were engraved stones, graved stones, pierced through their length and hung by a string or chain from the arm or neck, or set in rings for the finger. The most ancient form used for this purpose was the scarabaeus, formed of precious or common stone, or even of blue pottery or porcelain, on the flat side of which the inscription or device was engraved. In many cases the seal consisted of a lump of clay, impressed with the seal and attached to the document, whether of papyrus or other material, by strings. In other cases wax was used. In sealing a sepulchre or box, the fastening was covered with clay or wax, and the impression from a seal of one in authority was stamped upon it, so that it could not be broken open…