Job 38:21
Job 38:21 in Multiple Translations
Surely you know, for you were already born! And the number of your days is great!
Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
Doubtless, thou knowest, for thou wast then born, And the number of thy days is great!
No doubt you have knowledge of it, for then you had come to birth, and the number of your days is great.
Of course you know, because you were already born then! You've lived so long!
Knewest thou it, because thou wast then borne, and because the nomber of thy dayes is great?
Thou hast known — for then thou art born And the number of thy days [are] many!
Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
Knowest thou it , because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
Didst thou know then that thou shouldst be born? and didst thou know the number of thy days?
I am sure that you know these things, because you talk as though you were born before the time when all things were created; you must be very old!
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 38:21
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 38:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָ֭דַעְתָּ
כִּי
אָ֣ז
תִּוָּלֵ֑ד
וּ/מִסְפַּ֖ר
יָמֶ֣י/ךָ
רַבִּֽים
יָ֭דַעְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אָ֣ז
ʼâz
H227
then
Adv
תִּוָּלֵ֑ד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
וּ/מִסְפַּ֖ר
miçpâr
H4557
number
Conj | N-ms
יָמֶ֣י/ךָ
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp | Suff
רַבִּֽים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 38:21
יָ֭דַעְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אָ֣ז
ʼâz
H227
"then"
Adv
This Hebrew word refers to a past time or place, often used to describe something that happened earlier. It can also be used as a conjunction to show a cause-and-effect relationship. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) then, at that time 1a) temporal expressions 1a1) then (past) 1a2) then, if...then (future) 1a3) earlier 1b) logical expressions 1b1) in that case 1b2) that (being so)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet. See also: Genesis 4:26; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 2:5.
תִּוָּלֵ֑ד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
וּ/מִסְפַּ֖ר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
יָמֶ֣י/ךָ
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
רַבִּֽים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
Study Notes — Job 38:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 38:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 38:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 38:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 38:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 38:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 38:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 38:21
- Cambridge Bible on Job 38:21
- Barnes' Notes on Job 38:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 38:21
- Sermons on Job 38:21
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!
22Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, 23which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 15:7 | Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? |
| 2 | Job 38:12 | In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place, |
| 3 | Job 38:4 | Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. |
Job 38:21 Summary
Job 38:21 is a reminder that, despite our life experiences and knowledge, we are still limited in our understanding, as seen in Job 28:28 and Proverbs 9:10. God is pointing out to Job that, even with his advanced age and extensive life experience, he still doesn't have all the answers, and that's okay. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when we don't understand everything, as seen in Psalm 103:11 and Jeremiah 31:3. By acknowledging our limitations and trusting in God's goodness, we can find peace and comfort in His presence, as stated in Psalm 16:11 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Job 38:21 and how does it relate to the rest of the chapter?
Job 38:21 is part of God's response to Job, where He questions Job's understanding of the natural world, as seen in Job 38:19-20, and highlights Job's limitations, as stated in Job 38:21, to emphasize God's sovereignty and wisdom, similar to what is seen in Psalm 104:24 and Isaiah 40:28.
Is God being sarcastic or mocking Job in Job 38:21?
While God's tone in Job 38:21 may seem sharp, it is not meant to be mocking, but rather to awaken Job to his own limitations and finiteness, as seen in Job 42:3, and to highlight God's infinite power and knowledge, as stated in Jeremiah 32:17 and Psalm 147:5.
What does the phrase 'the number of your days is great' mean in Job 38:21?
The phrase 'the number of your days is great' in Job 38:21 emphasizes Job's advanced age and extensive life experience, yet despite this, God is pointing out that Job still lacks the wisdom and knowledge to fully understand God's ways, as seen in Job 28:28 and Proverbs 9:10.
How does Job 38:21 relate to our own lives and understanding of God?
Job 38:21 reminds us that, like Job, we have limitations and finite understanding, and that we must humbly acknowledge God's sovereignty and wisdom, as seen in Romans 11:33-36 and 1 Corinthians 1:20, and trust in His goodness and love, as stated in Psalm 103:11 and Jeremiah 31:3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have tried to exert control or understanding, but ultimately realized my limitations, and how can I apply the lesson of Job 38:21 to those areas?
- In what ways can I, like Job, acknowledge my own finiteness and trust in God's infinite power and wisdom, as seen in Jeremiah 32:17 and Psalm 147:5?
- How does the phrase 'the number of your days is great' in Job 38:21 encourage me to reflect on my own life journey and the wisdom I have gained, and how can I use that wisdom to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 71:17 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What are some ways I can cultivate humility and a willingness to learn from God, as Job did, and how can I apply the lessons of Job 38:21 to my own relationship with God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7 and James 4:10?
Gill's Exposition on Job 38:21
Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then born?.... When light and darkness were first separated, and had their several apartments assigned them; their laws and rules given them, and their bounds and limits set them?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 38:21
Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? Or, without the interrogation, in an ironical sense (Umbreit). Then - when I created light and darkness (Job 15:7).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 38:21
An ironical question: If thou pretendest that thou knowest these things, and canst readily answer these questions, how comest thou by this knowledge? Was it from hence, because thou wast born when I made the world, and that first constitution of the light and darkness in that order and succession which continues to this day, and thereby hadst the opportunity of inspecting my works, and seeing whence the light came, and because thou hast gained this knowledge by long experience, as having lived ever since the creation of the world until this time? whereas in truth thou art but of yesterday, and knowest nothing, as was said, . But the words are and may be otherwise rendered, Dost or didst thou know, either by thy own remembrance, or by the information of others, that thou wast then born? (to wit, when I made the world. Or, Didst thou know that thou shouldest then be born? then, to wit, when thou wast born. Or, Didst thou then know, the two Hebrew particles being transplaced, as is not unusual in that language, that thou shouldest be born? How couldst thou know this, when thou hadst no being?) and that the number of thy days should be great? that thou shouldst live so long as thou hast lived? Thou couldst neither foreknow the time of thy birth, nor the length of thy life. Or, and is the number of thy days great, i.e. so great that it reacheth to the time of the world’ s creation?
Trapp's Commentary on Job 38:21
Job 38:21 Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then born? or [because] the number of thy days [is] great?Ver. 21. Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born?] Beza readeth it thus, These things, forsooth, thou knowest, because thou wast then born (viz. when I made them, and appointed what order and course they should keep), and the number of thy days is great, thou art very far grown in years, as having lived ever since the creation, Es annosissimus et antiquissimus, &c. Ironice omnia.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 38:21
(21) Knowest thou it?—It is better to read this verse without an interrogation, as sublime irony. “Doubtless thou knowest all this, for thou wast born then, and the number of thy days is so great!”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 38:21
Verse 21. Knowest thou] This is another strong and biting irony, and the literal translation proves it: "Thou knowest, because thou was then born; and the number of thy days is great," or multitudinous, רבים rabbim, multitudes.
Cambridge Bible on Job 38:21
21. The verse is ironical, Thou knowest; for thou wast then born, And the number of thy days is great. The words “thou knowest” refer to the question, Job 38:19, Which is the way …? Job knows the way to the place of light, for he was born contemporary with it; he is as old as the dayspring which morning by morning has overspread the earth since creation’s dawn. “Light is considered here, as in Genesis 1, to be a natural force, with an independent existence, apart from the heavenly luminaries that transmit it. And in this, as is well known, modern investigation coincides with the direct perceptions of antiquity” (Schlottmann, Comm. on Job, p. 468). To this remark it has to be added that in the present passage “darkness” also, no less than light, is regarded as a natural force, with an independent existence, and a “place” where it abides, contiguous to light. Science, to which Scripture is taught to look so humbly for approval, will no doubt confirm this representation also.
Barnes' Notes on Job 38:21
Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? - This may either be a question, or it may be spoken ironically.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 38:21
21. Knowest thou it — Thou knowest! for then wast thou born, and the number of thy days is great! The keenest irony. Job knows so much, that he must have come into existence at the time when light and darkness were created!
Sermons on Job 38:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Suffering by Ralph Shallis | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Job and the revelation of God's greatness in nature. He highlights various verses where God questions Job about his understandin |
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Distress of Job - Part 2 by W.F. Anderson | The video is a sermon on the book of Job in the Bible. It begins by describing the structure of the book, with a prologue and three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends. |
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Expectations for 2012 by Allan Halton | Allan Halton addresses the skepticism surrounding annual prophecies, emphasizing the importance of discerning true prophetic words by testing and holding onto only what is good. He |
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(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 4. God's Voice From the Whirlwind by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker begins by reminding the audience of the outline of the book of Job, which includes a prologue, dialogue between Job and his friends, and an epilogue. Th |
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With Nothing but God by B.B. Caldwell | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job and how God stripped him of his wealth and health to deliver him from the pitfalls of Phariseeism. The preacher emphasizes t |
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Physicians of No Value by B.B. Caldwell | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of evangelism and spreading the word of God. He criticizes those who have been brainwashed and have become false teachers, le |
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(The Role of Demons in Today's Society) Part 1 by Dean Hochstetler | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the different views people have regarding miracles and the supernatural. He starts by sharing a story about two brothers from Arkansas who hav |