Job 38

God appeareth unto Job, and reproving his ignorant presumption; biddeth him to answer unto his questions, v.1. etc. He sheweth how great his Majesty is, by the works of the creation, Conservation and government of all things, whereof many instances are given, to bring him to humility, and true acknowledgement of his failings, 4. Etc.

1. Then the LORD answered Job, out of a tempest. [whereby God convinced him of his presence and made him attentive and humble before his Majesty. See the like examples, Exod.19.16,18,22. Etc. Deut.4.11.1. Kin.19.11,12. Ezek.1.4. Nah.1.3.] and said.

2. Who is he, that obscurreth the counsel, [i.e. the decrees and judgments of God. So Psa.33.11. Prov.19.21. Isa.28.29. Acts 2:23.] by words without knowledge? [viz. By arguing and charging the same with any defect, most wrongfully and foolishly.]

3. Gird now thy loves as a man; [i.e. make thy self ready, to enter into debate with me, according as thou hast desired. A manner of speaking, taken from those, that used to wear long garments, which they must gird and truss up, when they would make themselves ready to go about any work. Compare 1 Kings 18.on v.46.] then shall I ask thee and instruct thou me [God speaketh to Job here ironically, to humble him through the consideration of human frailty and nothingness, compared with the divine Majesty, wherewith it seemed he would have entered the lifts of contesting. See 1 Kings 22.on v.15.]

4. Whence wast thou. When I founded the Earth, [i.e. when I made the same, and laid the foundation of it. See above 26.7. and the annot. Implying; no where; this and what followeth are borrowed speeches taken from the manner and resemblance of setting up some great buildings.] make it known, if thou be prudent of understanding. [Heb. If thou knowest understanding, i.e. if thou art of good understanding, such an experienced and understanding man. Compare 1 Chron.12.32. 2 Chron.2.12. Isa.29.24.]

5. Who hath set her [viz. The Earths] measures, [i.e. their circuit, compass, or breadth and depth.] for thou knowest it: [God speaketh again in a ironical way to him, as above v.3. Oth. If thou know it.] or who hath drawn a ruling-line over her? [viz. That she might have her due proportion, shape and beauty. Comp.Psa.19.on v.5.]

6. Whereupon are her foundations suck, or who hath laid [Heb. Cast] her corner-stone? [Heb. The stone of their corner, i.e. that which knitteth and fasteneth she fabric together. Compare Psa.118.22. Matth.21.42.]

7. When the morning-stars sang joyfully together, [some understand by these the most bright and shining stars. Compare Psa.148.3. Others gather from the sequel, that it must be understood of the blessed Angels, of the children of God shouted, [understand the holy Angels. See above chap.1.6. and chap.2.1.]

8. Or (who) [this word is inserted here out of v.5. to which the construction relateth.] hath shut up the Sea with doors, [Heb. Covered the Sea, i.e. kept in, or impaled it, that it should not overflow its set bounds.] when it brake out, and came forth out of the womb, [i.e. put of, or upon the Ordinance and the Commandment of God in a moment, as the child is delivered into the world out of the mothers womb. Others understand by the mothers womb or body here, the abyss or deeps wherewith the face of the Earth was covered at the beginning, Gen.1.2.]

9. When I appointed the cloud for its garment, and the obscurity for its swathing-clothing. [God to shew his mighty power, compareth the vast sea to a young child, which must be clouds which cover it, the swathing-clothing are the obscurities, vapours, mists and shadows, which they seem involved with.]

10. When for it, [viz. For the Sea, to make it run into the deeps of the Earth] (with) my decree I brake the earth thorough, [i.e. made hollowness, concavities within it, whereby part of those Sea-waters did enter the Earth, from whence so many Rivers inland-waters have their sources. Oth. When I decreed my Ordinance over it, viz. Which is related in the sequel. Or thus, over it, viz. Which is related in the sequel. Or thus, should I break my decree then over it? I have set bolts and doors; and said, &c.] and did set a bolt and doors; [understand the downs and shores of the Sea, which keep the waters in, that they cannot transgress the bounds to overflow the Earth any more, Jer.5.22.]

11. And said [Of Gods saying. See Gen.1.on v.10.] Hitherto thou shalt come, and no farther: and here shall he, [viz. The bolt, spoken of in the former verse, i.e. the sand, cliffs and shores of the Seas] set himself against the haughtiness of thy waves. [So the Hebrew word is likewise taken. Psal.89.10. Isa.48.18. Zac.10.11.]

12. Hast thou from thy days [i.e. from or since the beginning of thy life. Compare above 26.6.] commanded the morning? [viz. That he should break forth before the rising of the Sun, according to that Order, now to be seen established in nature.] hast thou shewed the dawning his place, [i.e. the place of heaven where he is to arise every day of the year, according to the rising and going down of the Sun.]

13. That he [The dawning namely] should lay hold on the ends of the Earth; [Heb. Wings, and so above chap.37.3. see the annot. Understand the uttermost parts or corners of the Earth, which the Sun-beams reach unto.] and the wicked should be shaken out off her? [i.e. destroyed, routed out; like dust shaken out and scattered abroad, Neh.5.13. or like something else that is shaken and cast forth out of its place, Exod.14.27. Or are shaken out. Viz. Because they shun the daylight, commiting their wickedness for the most part by night, and therewith covering the same, above chap.24.13,14. John 3:20. Or also, because in the clear day-time, they use to be punished with death by the Magistrate, and so rid away out of the world.]

14. That she should be changed like sealing-clay; [Heb. The clay of the seal; i.e. where the seal is imprinted. The meaning is, that even as the clay hath no peculiar form or shape of it self; but may well, and doth receive them, by printing of a seal into it, so the earth is without any apparent form and shape by night, because of the darkness; but by day, the light of the Sun doth alter her condition, shewing forth variety of shapes and features in the things that are upon her.] and they set as a garment. [they, viz. The several creatures that are upon the Earth, covering and decking the same like a sumptuous garment. Oth. And they are set, as (covered) with a garment. Understanding this of the wicked, spoken of in the former verse, who are brought and set before the judgement, where they must expect their sentence and execution. The criminal persons were wont at such places to be covered over with a certain garment, Esth.7.8. Oth. And they are set, etc. i.e. let and hindered to proceed in their evil practises, as if their hands and feet were bound or wounded up with some garment.]

15. And that from the wicked their light [i.e. welfare, wealth and honour. See above 18.on v.5.] be withheld; and the high arm [i.e. their power, insolency and tyranny, whereby they are exalted in state and high places, and commit all manner of oppression without control. So a man of the arm, for one that practiseth violence, above chap.22.8. see the annot there.] be broken? [i.e. bruised, consumed, brought to nothing. So Psal.10.15. Ezek.30.22.]

16. Art thou come unto the sources of the Sea? [Heb. Tears, or weepings. Understand the deepest bottoms, spring-veins, and well-springs, from whence the most and mightiest floods and streams break forth and issue.] and hast thou walked in the nethermost of the abyss? [Heb. In the search, or inquision of, etc. i.e. in the place of the sea where she is deepest, and where you may cast a plummet indeed, but never find a bottom. See of the word abyss, Gen.1.on v.2. and above chap.28.on v.14.]

17. Are the gates of death discovered unto thee? [Understand the lowermost places of the Earth, and the paths leading thither; so called, because the dead ly hid under the Earth. The same is to be understood, by the gates of the shadow of death. Compare above chap.3.on v.5. and chap.10.on v.21.] And hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18. Art thou come with thine understanding unto the breadth of the earth? [viz. So as to comprehend and observe, what there is acting and doing all the world over in all the world over in all the corners and places thereof: Or, why the Earth is no broader or narrower.] make it known, [compare above v.4.] if thou knowest all this? [what I have asked and set before thee hitherto.]

19. Which is the way where the light dwelleth? [Understand the sun, as above 25.3. See the annot. The meaning is, which way shall one come to the place where the light dwelleth; viz. So as to set bounds unto, and confine that light and the darkness, and to sustain and govern them in that condition. For this and what followeth, is not to be understood barely of the knowledge, which man may have of these things, but of the ordering, managing and governing thereof, which only and wholly belongeth unto God.] and the darkness, [viz. Which is caused through the absence and going down of the Sun] where her place is?

20. That thou shouldest bring [Heb. Take, i.e. take and bring, or taking bring. See Gen.12.on v.15.] the same [viz. The said light or the darkness, either or both together, spoken of in the former v.] to his limit, [wherewith, viz. The course of the Sun is circumscribed, viz. Into one natural day, consisting of 24. Hours, or into one year by both the solistices, when in winter it maketh the shortest, and in summer the longest day.] and that thou shouldest mark [understand such a marking and observing, as is accompanied with the managing and stand the way or course, which the sun runneth through in making a natural day and year.] of his house? [understand the place where he riseth and setteth; as also where he beginneth and endeth the year and solistices.]

21. Thou knowest it, for thou wast born then, and thy God unto Job, as above v.3. and 5. See the annot. On v.3. Oth. Knowest thou that thou shouldest be born then and thy days should be many in number.]

22. Art thou come to the Treasures of the snow? And hast thou seen the Treasuries of the hail? [God speaketh thus by comparison, to shew his great power, whereby he is able, whensoever it pleaseth him, to bring forth a great abundance of snow and hail, as if he had great Treasures of them laid up in store and locked up against such times, as he thinketh good to use and spend them.]

23. Which I withhold until a time distress: for the day of the battle and of War. [viz. For to execute then my just judgements by them. See examples hereof, Exodus 9:18. Joshua 10:11. 1 Samuel 7:10.]

24. Which is the way, [Understand by the way, all the reasons, means, accidents, courses, conditions, operations and final causes, of what doth happen in the air, and that not only in a general regard, but especially also and in particle] (where) the light is divided, [i.e. that lightening, fire, flashes, shooting meteors, or kindled vapours, etc. In the air do begin and cease, and vary in such places, hours, qualities, events, etc.] (and) the Eastwind scattereth it self upon the Earth? [under one sort of wind all the rest are understood: for how it, one sort of wind all the rest are understood: for how it, cometh to pass, that all of them do blow so differently, now this, now that, is fully known to none but God. Of the East-wind in particular. See Gen.41.on v.6. and Exod.10.on v.13. Compare Job 3.v.8.]

25. Who dealeth out a water-course [viz. Whereby the waters, falling down out of the air have their course upon the Earth, to moisten such or such a land or country.] for the powering rain; [or shower of rain. Heb. Overflowing.] and a way [Compare above 28.26.] for the lightening of the thunders. [Oth. For the rushing-flash. Heb. Lightening, or flash of voices.]

26. For to rain upon the Land, (where) no body is, [viz. To moisten the land, by any handy-labour of workmen.] (upon) the desert, wherein there is no man.

27. For to satisfy the wast and the desolate, [Understand the Land that lieth exceeding wast, being dry and barren of it self, and besides made desolate and uninhabited, by wars and robberies. Compare above 30.3. and the annot.] and to make the sproutings of the grass-buds to grow.

28. Hath the rain a Father? [implying; not he; but only I do bring him forth; and so in the sequel.] or who begetteth the drops of the dew.

29. Out of whose belly cometh forth the ice? And who begetteth the hoary frost of heaven? [the Hebrew word given, heary frost, here, is likewise taken in this signification, Exod.16.14. Psal.147.16.]

30. As with a stone do the waters hide themselves, [viz. By means of the frost, which maketh that there seemeth to be no water, but meer stone, under which the unfrozen water lieth hid as it were] and the flat, [or, plain] of the abyss, [i.e. the superficies, or surface of the Sea, or other deep waters] is encompassed, [i.e. environed and held fast by the frost, as it were imprisoned, or in arrest; being so hemmed by the cold, that it cannot flow away.]

31. Canst thou bind the pleasantness of the seven stars, or this starry sign and constellation, shall not rise, and bring the pleasantness of the spring along with it. See of this starry sign above 9.9.] or loosen the strings of iron? [understand by these strings, the attractive powers, whereby orion in November bringeth on clouds, rains, cold and stormy weather: to loose them, is to hinder and withhold their operations and influences.]

32. Canst thou bring forth the Mazzaroth in their time, [what stars or constellation this may be, opinions vary much. Some understand thereby the stars about the south-pole, above chap.9.9. called inner Chambers, but here Mazzaroth, from Nazar, to sever or separate, as being very remote from Europe, and the place also where Job dwelled. Some on the contrary take them to be Northern stars, drawn into that opinion by the likeness of the Mezarim above chap.37.9. which signifieth, scattering, dissipating winds namely, which come out of the North. Others take them to be the Mazzaleth, i.e. the Planets, or the twelve Zodiak-signs, whereof see 2 Kings 23:5. There are some also which hold them to be the celestial sign, called the Cowns] and lead the way. [See of this sign above 9.on v.9.] with his children? [understand some lesser stars, placed round about the way, as the children about the Mother.]

33. Doest thou know the Ordinances of heaven; [i.e. the order which God keepeth with these heavenly lights and signs, and their courses, for to execute his pleasure by them.] or canst thou appoint the dominion [Heb. Government] of it upon Earth:

34. Canst thou raise up thy voice to the clouds, [viz. For to command them, how much water they shall power down, and when and where] that an abundance of water may cover thee?

35. Canst thou let forth the lightenings, that they pass away, and say unto thee, behold here are we, [i.e. ready to execute thy commands. See Gen.32.on v.1.]

36. Who hath set the wisdom in the inmost (parts)? [The Hebrew word is taken for the Reins, and by the Reines is understood the inmost, or most inward of mans spirit. Compare above chap.19.on v.27.] You have the Hebrew word likewise, Psa.51.8. and the annot. There.] or who hath given the understanding to the mind? [Oth. To the heart.]

37. Who can number the clouds with wisdom? [i.e. fully declare their motions, power, operations, and whole nature or constitution. The Hebrew verb, is used for numbering, Psa.22.18. Otherwise, who can make the heaven like a Saphyr, i.e. most clear and bright all over.] and who can lay down the bottles of heaven. [i.e. the clouds; forasmuch as the water is kept in them, as it were in bottles, which afterwards they power out, as the LORD is pleased. By lying down, is means the making of them cease to power out more; as if he said; who can make the rain to cease but God alone? It is a comparison taken of such vessels, as must be lifted up in powering out the liquor contained in them, and set down again when one giveth over powering out. Oth. Make to sleep.]

38. When the dust is through moistened, [the dust, i.e. the Earth, by long continued drought turned into dust] unto firmness, and the clods cleave together? [i.e. when by abundance of rain that fell, the dust is made to close together again, and turn into clods, which hang and stick close one to another.]