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Chapter 38
Verse 38

Job 38:9

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket,

American Standard Version (1901)

When I made clouds the garment thereof, And thick darkness a swaddling-band for it,

Bible in Basic English

When I made the cloud its robe, and put thick clouds as bands round it,

Free Bible Version

Who clothed it with clouds, and wrapped it in a blanket of deep darkness?

King James (Authorized) Version

When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

Translation for Translators

It was I, not you, who caused clouds to come over the seas and caused it to become very dark under those clouds.

Unlocked Literal Bible

when I made clouds its clothing, and thick darkness its swaddling bands?

Noah Webster Bible

When I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,

World English Bible

when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness,

Young's Literal Translation

In My making a cloud its clothing, And thick darkness its swaddling band,

Context

The LORD Challenges Job

⁸Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, ⁹when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, ¹⁰when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors,

Summary

This verse is part of God's response to Job, highlighting His supreme power and authority over creation. It emphasizes God's role in establishing boundaries for the sea, symbolizing His control over chaotic forces in the world. By questioning Job about his knowledge of these divine acts, God asserts His wisdom and sovereignty. The verse serves to humble Job and remind him of the limitations of human understanding compared to God's infinite knowledge and might. Ultimately, it reinforces the theme of trusting in God's wisdom and providence even in the midst of suffering and confusion.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

When I make the cloud the garment - Alluding to the cloth in which the new-born infant is first received. The cloud was the same to the newly raised vapor, as the above recipient to the new-born child. And thick darkness a swaddlingband for it - Here is also an allusion to the first dressings of the new-born child: it is swathed in order to support the body, too tender to bear even careful handling without some medium between the hand of the nurse and the flesh of the child. "The image," says Mr. Good, "is exquisitely maintained: the new-born ocean is represented as issuing from the womb of chaos; and its dress is that of the new-born infant." There is here an allusion also to the creation, as described in Gen 1:1, Gen 1:2. Darkness is there said to be on the face of the Deep. Here it is said, the thick darkness was a swaddlingband for the new-born Sea.

Job 38:9

The LORD Challenges Job

⁸Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, ⁹when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, ¹⁰when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors,

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket,

American Standard Version (1901)

When I made clouds the garment thereof, And thick darkness a swaddling-band for it,

Bible in Basic English

When I made the cloud its robe, and put thick clouds as bands round it,

Free Bible Version

Who clothed it with clouds, and wrapped it in a blanket of deep darkness?

King James (Authorized) Version

When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

Translation for Translators

It was I, not you, who caused clouds to come over the seas and caused it to become very dark under those clouds.

Unlocked Literal Bible

when I made clouds its clothing, and thick darkness its swaddling bands?

Noah Webster Bible

When I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,

World English Bible

when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness,

Young's Literal Translation

In My making a cloud its clothing, And thick darkness its swaddling band,

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

When I make the cloud the garment - Alluding to the cloth in which the new-born infant is first received. The cloud was the same to the newly raised vapor, as the above recipient to the new-born child. And thick darkness a swaddlingband for it - Here is also an allusion to the first dressings of the new-born child: it is swathed in order to support the body, too tender to bear even careful handling without some medium between the hand of the nurse and the flesh of the child. "The image," says Mr. Good, "is exquisitely maintained: the new-born ocean is represented as issuing from the womb of chaos; and its dress is that of the new-born infant." There is here an allusion also to the creation, as described in Gen 1:1, Gen 1:2. Darkness is there said to be on the face of the Deep. Here it is said, the thick darkness was a swaddlingband for the new-born Sea.