Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Job 38

Job 38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

the Lord answered Job

The words of Jehovah have the effect of bringing Job consciously into His presence (Job 42:5). Hitherto the discussions have been about God, but He has been conceived as absent. Now Job and the Lord are face to face. It is noteworthy that Job does not answer Elihu. Despite his harsh judgment he has spoken so truly about God that Job remains silent. Job 38:1 might be paraphrased, "Then Jehovah answered for [or on behalf of] Job."

out of the whirlwind

So Exo 19:16, 18; 1Ki 19:11; Eze 1:4; Nah 1:3.

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Who is this that darkeneth counsel

Job 34:35; 42:3.

Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

when I laid the foundations of the earth

Psa 104:5; Pro 8:29; 30:4.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all sons of God shouted for joy?

sons of God

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

who shut up the sea with doors

Gen 1:9; Psa 33:7; 104:9; Pro 8:29; Jer 5:22.

Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

thy proud waves

Psa 89:9; 93:4.

Job 38:12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

commanded the morning

Psa 74:16; 148:5.

Job 38:16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

Hast thou entered

Psa 77:19.

Job 38:17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

the gates of death

Psa 9:13.

Job 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

the treasures of the snow

Psa 147:16.

Job 38:23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

the time of trouble

Exo 9:18; Jos 10:11; Isa 30:30; Eze 13:11, 13; Rev 16:21.

Job 38:28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

Hath the rain a father?

Psa 147:8; Jer 14:22.

Job 38:29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

the hoary frost of heaven

Psa 147:16.

Job 38:31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

Pleiades

Or, the seven stars. Job 9:9; Amo 5:8.

Job 38:33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

the ordinances of heaven

Jer 31:35.

Job 38:39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

Wilt thou hunt the prey

Psa 104:21; 145:15.

Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Who provideth for the raven

Psa 147:9; Mat 6:26.