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Job 11:9

Job 11:9 in Multiple Translations

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

Longer in measure than the earth, and wider than the sea.

It extends farther than the earth, and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer then the earth, and it is broader then the sea.

Longer than earth [is] its measure, And broader than the sea.

Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

What there is to know about God is wider than the earth and wider than the ocean.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 11:9

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Job 11:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אֲרֻכָּ֣ה מֵ/אֶ֣רֶץ מִדָּ֑/הּ וּ֝/רְחָבָ֗ה מִנִּי יָֽם
אֲרֻכָּ֣ה ʼârôk H752 long Adj
מֵ/אֶ֣רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Prep | N-cs
מִדָּ֑/הּ mad H4055 garment N-ms | Suff
וּ֝/רְחָבָ֗ה râchâb H7342 broad Conj | Adj
מִנִּי min H4480 from Prep
יָֽם yâm H3220 West N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 11:9

אֲרֻכָּ֣ה ʼârôk H752 "long" Adj
This word means something that is long, either in time or in length. It can also describe God's wisdom as being long or enduring. The KJV translates it as 'long'.
Definition: 1) long 1a) of time 1b) of God's wisdom (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: long. See also: 2 Samuel 3:1; Job 11:9; Jeremiah 29:28.
מֵ/אֶ֣רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
מִדָּ֑/הּ mad H4055 "garment" N-ms | Suff
A garment or measure, describing something that is measured or fitted. This word is used in the Bible to describe clothing, armor, or a carpet.
Definition: 1) measure, cloth garment 1a) measure 1b) cloth, carpet 1c) garment (outer)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: armour, clothes, garment, judgment, measure, raiment, stature. See also: Leviticus 6:3; 1 Samuel 17:39; Psalms 109:18.
וּ֝/רְחָבָ֗ה râchâb H7342 "broad" Conj | Adj
This word means broad or wide, describing something that is roomy or spacious. It can also mean proud or arrogant, and is used to describe a person's attitude. In the KJV, it is translated as broad or large.
Definition: broad, wide Also means: ra.chav (רָחָב ": arrogant" H7342I)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: broad, large, at liberty, proud, wide. See also: Genesis 34:21; Job 30:14; Psalms 101:5.
מִנִּי min H4480 "from" Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
יָֽם yâm H3220 "West" N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.

Study Notes — Job 11:9

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 139:9–10 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.
2 Job 28:24–25 For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When God fixed the weight of the wind and measured out the waters,
3 Psalms 65:5–8 With awesome deeds of righteousness You answer us, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. You formed the mountains by Your power, having girded Yourself with might. You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away fear Your wonders; You make the dawn and sunset shout for joy.

Job 11:9 Summary

This verse in Job 11:9 is saying that God is incredibly big and powerful, and His ways are beyond what we can understand. It's like trying to measure the whole earth or the entire sea - it's just too much for us to comprehend. As it says in Psalm 145:3, God's greatness is unsearchable, and we can trust in His power and wisdom, even when we don't understand what is happening, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6. By acknowledging God's vastness and greatness, we can put our own problems and worries into perspective and trust in His loving care for us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that God's measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea in Job 11:9?

This verse is saying that God's greatness and power are beyond human understanding, just like the vastness of the earth and the sea, as also described in Psalm 139:17-18 and Isaiah 40:28.

How can we comprehend God's greatness when it is compared to something as vast as the earth and the sea?

We can't fully comprehend God's greatness, but we can trust in His power and wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, and acknowledge our limitations, as seen in Job 11:7-8.

Is this verse talking about God's physical presence or something else?

This verse is using metaphorical language to describe God's infinite and all-encompassing nature, similar to what is described in Jeremiah 23:24 and Psalm 103:11-12.

What is the main idea that Job 11:9 is trying to convey?

The main idea is to convey the vastness and greatness of God, emphasizing that His ways and thoughts are far beyond human understanding, as also stated in Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-36.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does contemplating God's vastness and power affect my perspective on my own life and problems?
  2. In what ways can I acknowledge and respect God's greatness in my daily life, as described in Micah 6:8?
  3. What are some ways that I can trust in God's wisdom and power, even when I don't understand what is happening, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7?
  4. How can I apply the concept of God's infinite nature to my own faith and relationship with Him, as described in Ephesians 3:16-19?

Gill's Exposition on Job 11:9

The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 11:9

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 11:9

Longer than the earth, from one end to the other. Broader than the sea; which is called the great and wide sea, .

Trapp's Commentary on Job 11:9

Job 11:9 The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.Ver. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth] Wherein some kingdoms are of a very great length, as those of the Turks and of the Tartars at this day. How long, then, is the earth itself? Some have undertaken to tell in how many days a nimble footman might measure it, but that is but a conjecture. It must be remembered that these things are spoken after the manner of men; for the wisdom of God can neither be measured nor numbered: of his understanding there is no number, saith the prophet, Psalms 147:5. Archimedes, the mathematician, vaunted that he, by his skill in arithmetic, could number up all the sand or dust that is in the whole world, habitable and inhabitable. But who can cast up the extent of the Divine wisdom? And broader than the sea] Which yet David calleth the "great and wide sea," Psalms 104:25. Breadth is ascribed to the sea, because of its huge extension: mariners for many days together, while they sail upon the main, see no land, but only sky and water. God’ s wisdom goes beyond all these; neither must we think to lade this ocean with our cockle shell. We may sooner drain the sea with a spoon than the perfections of God with our largest understandings.

Cambridge Bible on Job 11:9

7–12. Panegyric on the Divine Wisdom or Omniscience. This wisdom cannot be fathomed by man (Job 11:7). It fills all things (Job 11:8-9). And this explains the sudden calamities that befall men, for God perceives their hidden wickedness (Job 11:10-11). But man is of no understanding (Job 11:12).

Barnes' Notes on Job 11:9

The measure thereof is longer than the earth - The measure of the knowledge of God. The extent of the earth would be one of the longest measures known to the ancients.

Whedon's Commentary on Job 11:9

9. Longer than the earth — Firdusi, Persia’s epic poet, exclaims: “The height and the depth of the whole world have their centre in thee, O my God!

Sermons on Job 11:9

SermonDescription
Hans R. Waldvogel A Conscience Void of Offence by Hans R. Waldvogel In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the authority of Jesus and his ability to demand a wholehearted surrender from believers. He uses the example of Jesus driving out the mone
J.R. Miller The Everlasting Arms by J.R. Miller J.R. Miller emphasizes the comforting promise that 'the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms,' illustrating how God's promises are timeless and appli
J.C. Philpot The Eagle and Her Young by J.C. Philpot J.C. Philpot preaches about God's tender care and guidance over His people, using the analogy of an eagle caring for her young. He emphasizes how God finds His people in a spiritua
A.W. Tozer We Are Not Orphans by A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer emphasizes that Christian believers are not orphans, as they are guided by the divine Shepherd who leads them on a purposeful journey. He addresses a reader's inquiry ab
James Smith Israel's Need - and God's Mercy by James Smith James Smith preaches about the journey of life from this fleeting world to the eternal world, drawing parallels between the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the promised land and
Elton Trueblood The Final Paradox by Elton Trueblood Elton Trueblood delves into the profound theological reflections of Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing his unwavering belief in the sovereignty and guidance of God in the midst of great
James Bourne Letter 98 by James Bourne James Bourne preaches to Mr. T. 0. about the importance of experiencing God's judgments and discipline, which reveal the hidden sins and inventions of our hearts. Through this comm

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