Job 38:20

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

so you can lead it back to its border? Do you know the paths to its home?

American Standard Version (1901)

That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, And that thou shouldest discern the paths to the house thereof?

Bible in Basic English

So that you might take it to its limit, guiding it to its house?

Free Bible Version

Can you take them home? Do you know the way to where they live?

King James (Authorized) Version

That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

Translation for Translators

Can take me to its home? Do you know where the road is that goes there?

Unlocked Literal Bible

Can you lead light and darkness to their places of work? Can you find the way back to their houses for them?

Noah Webster Bible

That thou shouldest take it to its bound, and that thou shouldest know the paths to its house?

World English Bible

that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?

Young's Literal Translation

That thou dost take it unto its boundary, And that thou dost understand The paths of its house.

Context

The LORD Challenges Job

¹⁹Where is the way to the home of light? Do you know where darkness resides, ²⁰so you can lead it back to its border? Do you know the paths to its home? ²¹Surely you know, for you were already born! And the number of your days is great!

Summary

In Job 38:20, God questions Job about his understanding of light and darkness, highlighting His supreme wisdom and authority over creation. This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and knowledge, reminding Job of the limitations of human understanding compared to the divine wisdom of God. It serves as a humbling reminder of God's infinite power and the need for trust in His perfect knowledge and guidance, even in the midst of life's trials and uncertainties.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Shouldest take it to the bound thereof? - Or, as Mr. Good, translates, "That thou shouldest lay hold of it in its boundary." That thou shouldest go to the very spot where light commences, and where darkness ends; and see the house where each dwells. Here darkness and light are personified, each as a real intelligent being, having a separate existence and local dwelling. But poetry animates everything. It is the region of fictitious existence. I believe this verse should be translated thus: - "For thou canst take Us to its boundary; for thou knowest the paths to its house." This is a strong irony, and there are several others in this Divine speech. Job had valued himself too much on his knowledge; and a chief object of this august speech is to humble his "knowing pride," and to cause him to seek true wisdom and humility where they are to be found.