Job 38:25

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Job 38:25 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Who cuts a channel for the flood or clears a path for the thunderbolt,

King James Version KJV

Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

American Standard Version ASV

Who hath cleft a channel for the waterflood, Or the way for the lightning of the thunder;

Bible in Basic English BBE

By whom has the way been cut for the flowing of the rain, and the flaming of the thunder;

Free Bible Version FBV

Who cuts a channel for the rain to flow? Who creates a path for the thunderbolt?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Who hath deuided the spowtes for the raine? or the way for the lightning of ye thunders,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Who hath divided for the flood a conduit? And a way for the lightning of the voices?

World English Bible WEB

Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Who gave a course to violent showers, or a way for noisy thunder:

Translation for Translators T4T

Who created the channels in which the rain comes down from the sky? Who makes the roads for the thunder/lightning?

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 38:25

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 38:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB מִֽי פִלַּ֣ג לַ/שֶּׁ֣טֶף תְּעָלָ֑ה וְ֝/דֶ֗רֶךְ לַ/חֲזִ֥יז קֹלֽוֹת

מִֽי mîy H4310 who? Part

פִלַּ֣ג pâlag H6385 to divide V-Piel-Perf-3ms

לַ/שֶּׁ֣טֶף sheṭeph H7858 flood Prep | N-ms

תְּעָלָ֑ה tᵉʻâlâh H8585 conduit N-fs

וְ֝/דֶ֗רֶךְ derek H1870 way Conj | N-cs

לַ/חֲזִ֥יז chăzîyz H2385 lightning Prep | N-ms

קֹלֽוֹת qôwl H6963 voice N-mp

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 38:25

מִֽי mîy H4310 "who?" Part

This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.

Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.

פִלַּ֣ג pâlag H6385 "to divide" V-Piel-Perf-3ms

This verb means to split or divide something, like a river or a group of people. It is used in the Bible to describe things being separated.

Definition: 1) to divide, split 1a) (Niphal) to be split, be divided 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to split, cleave 1b2) to divide Aramaic equivalent: pe.lag (פְּלַג "to divide" H6386)

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: divide. See also: Genesis 10:25; Job 38:25; Psalms 55:10.

לַ/שֶּׁ֣טֶף sheṭeph H7858 "flood" Prep | N-ms

This noun refers to a flood or downpour, often used to describe a powerful and overwhelming event. It can be literal, as in the story of Noah, or figurative, as in a flood of emotions or troubles. The word is used in several Old Testament books.

Definition: flood, downpour Also means: she.tseph (שֶׁצֶף "overflowing" H8241)

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: flood, outrageous, overflowing. See also: Job 38:25; Daniel 9:26; Psalms 32:6.

תְּעָלָ֑ה tᵉʻâlâh H8585 "conduit" N-fs

This Hebrew word refers to healing, like the process of new skin forming over a wound. It can also mean a channel for water, like a conduit or watercourse, and is used in books like Isaiah and Ezekiel. The idea of healing is central to many biblical stories.

Definition: conduit, water course, trench

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: conduit, cured, healing, little river, trench, watercourse. See also: 1 Kings 18:32; Job 38:25; Isaiah 7:3.

וְ֝/דֶ֗רֶךְ derek H1870 "way" Conj | N-cs

Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.

Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.

לַ/חֲזִ֥יז chăzîyz H2385 "lightning" Prep | N-ms

Chaziz means lightning, describing a flash of lightning or a thunderbolt. It symbolizes powerful natural phenomena, like storms and clouds.

Definition: thunderbolt, lightning flash, lightning, storm, cloud

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: bright cloud, lightning. See also: Job 28:26; Job 38:25; Zechariah 10:1.

קֹלֽוֹת qôwl H6963 "voice" N-mp

A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.

Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)

Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.

Study Notes — Job 38:25

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Job 38:25 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Job 38:25
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 38:25
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 38:25
Trapp's Commentary on Job 38:25
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 38:25
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 38:25
Cambridge Bible on Job 38:25
Barnes' Notes on Job 38:25
Whedon's Commentary on Job 38:25
Sermons on Job 38:25

Context — The LORD Challenges Job

23which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle? 24In which direction is the lightning dispersed, or the east wind scattered over the earth?

25Who cuts a channel for the flood or clears a path for the thunderbolt,

26to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives, 27to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass?

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Job 28:26	when He set a limit for the rain and a path for the thunderbolt,
2	Psalms 29:3–10	The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!” The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
3	Job 37:3–6	He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole sky and sends it to the ends of the earth. Then there comes a roaring sound; He thunders with His majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightning when His voice resounds. God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the gentle rain, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’
4	Job 36:27–28	For He draws up drops of water which distill the rain from the mist, which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.

Job 38:25 Summary

This verse, Job 38:25, is asking who can control the powerful forces of nature, like floods and thunderbolts. The answer, of course, is God, who has the power to guide and direct even the most powerful things, as seen in Psalm 107:25-30. This reminds us that God is in control of everything, including our lives, and we can trust Him to guide us, just as He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can find peace and comfort, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the flood and thunderbolt in this verse?

The flood and thunderbolt represent powerful forces of nature that God controls, as seen in Job 38:25, and are a reminder of His sovereignty over creation, similar to what is described in Psalm 29:3-11.

How does this verse relate to God's power and might?

This verse highlights God's power and might by asking rhetorical questions about who can control the flood and thunderbolt, emphasizing that only God has such authority, as stated in Jeremiah 10:13 and Job 26:14.

What can we learn from the image of cutting a channel for the flood?

The image of cutting a channel for the flood teaches us about God's ability to guide and direct even the most powerful forces of nature, much like He guides and directs our lives, as promised in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 23:2-3.

How does this verse fit into the larger context of the book of Job?

This verse is part of God's response to Job, where He reminds Job of His sovereignty and power, putting Job's suffering into perspective and encouraging him to trust in God's goodness, as seen in Job 42:2-6 and Romans 11:33-36.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I feel overwhelmed, and how can I trust God to guide and direct me, just as He guides the flood and thunderbolt?
How does contemplating God's power over nature affect my perspective on my own problems and challenges?
In what ways can I apply the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in this verse, to my daily life and decisions?
What are some ways I can acknowledge and worship God's power and might in my life, just as the Psalmist does in Psalm 29:1-2?

Gill's Exposition on Job 38:25

Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters,.... For a very large shower of rain, as the Vulgate Latin version: for this is not to be understood of an aqueduct, channel, or canal

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 38:25

Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; Waters. Rain falls, not in a mass on one spot, but in countless separate canals in the air marked out for them.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 38:25

For the overflowing of waters; for the showers of rain which come down out of the clouds, orderly, moderately, and gradually, as if they were conveyed in pipes or channels; which, without the care of God’ s providence, would fall confusedly, and all together; and, instead of refreshing, would overwhelm the earth. For the lightning of thunder, i.e. for that lightning which, breaking out of the cloud with violence, causeth thunder. Or, for lightning and thunder. Who opened a passage for them out of the cloud in which they were imprisoned? And these are here joined with the rain, because they are commonly accompanied with great showers of rain; which is here noted as a wonderful work of God, that fire and water should come out of the same cloud.

Trapp's Commentary on Job 38:25

Job 38:25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; Ver. 25. Who hath divided (or derived) a watercourse for the overflowing of waters] That is, the waterclouds, for the pouring out of rain, velut per canales et tubulos, as by pipes and conveyances, wheresoever God pleaseth, men being amazed at those miracles of nature; is it not the Lord alone? He it is who divideth the deluge of waters; as it were, draining them into certain furrows which would otherwise fall down from heaven all at once, and make great spoil here below. Or a way for the lightning of thunder] Nimbo sonoro, saith Tremellius. See Job 28:6.

Ellicott's Commentary on Job 38:25

(25) Who hath divided a watercourse.—Rather, cleft a channel for the water-flood.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 38:25

Verse 25. Divided a water-course] The original תעלה tealah, from עלה alah, to ascend, may signify rather a cloud, or clouds in general, where the waters are stored up. I cannot see how the overflowings or torrents of water can be said to ascend any other way than by evaporation; and it is by this Divine contrivance that the earth is not only irrigated, but even dried; and by this means too much moisture is not permitted to lie upon the ground, which would not only be injurious to vegetation, but even destroy it. But query, may not a waterspout be intended? A way for the lightning of thunder] "A path for the bolt of thunder." God is represented as directing the course even of the lightning; he launches the bolt, and makes the path in which it is to run. To grasp, manage, and dart the thunderbolt or lightning, was a work which heathenism gave to Jupiter, its supreme god. None of the inferior deities were capable of this. But who can thunder with a voice like the Almighty? He is THE THUNDERER.

Cambridge Bible on Job 38:25

25. for the overflowing of waters] Rather, for the rain-flood. The second clause indicates that by the “watercourse” is meant the conduit (Isaiah 7:3) or channel cut through the arch of the heavens, down which the rain-flood pours to the earth. In like manner the lightning follows a track or path prepared for it through the heavens.

Barnes' Notes on Job 38:25

Who hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of waters - That is, for the waters that flow down from the clouds.

Whedon's Commentary on Job 38:25

δ. Who formed the heavenly conduits, through which the water torrents flow? and who providentially guides the thunderbolt, so that untenanted wastes and the thirsty wilderness are blessed? Job 38:25-27.25.

Sermons on Job 38:25

	Sermon	Description
	Taking Back Your Song in the Night by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude and praise to Jesus. They emphasize the importance of thanking and praising God. The speaker then shares a personal story
	(Pdf Book) How to Find God's Will by Bakht Singh	Bakht Singh emphasizes the significance of understanding and following God's will, asserting that it is a believer's privilege and responsibility. He shares his personal journey of
	Only One Voice Matters in Your Storm by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to the voice of God in the midst of life's storms. It draws parallels to the story of Paul in Acts 27, highlighting the need to p
	Psalm 29 by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches about the mighty voice of Jehovah, which is heard in the storms of nature, the outgoings of grace, and the terrors of the dissolving world, calling for our ears
	The Voice of God by John Follette	John Follette delves into Genesis 3:8, exploring the profound encounter of Adam and Eve hearing the 'voice of the Lord God walking' in the garden. He emphasizes the spiritual signi
	Studies in Job-01 Job-1 by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Job and the suffering that Job endures. He highlights the remarkable precision of the heavenly bodies and how they serve as a rem
	December 22. 1678. S O L O M O N. by Jane Lead	Jane Lead preaches about the deep wisdom and mysteries found in the Word of Life, encouraging listeners to enter into the secret place of God's presence to receive profound revelat