New King James Version
Job 38:14
14It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment.
Job 38:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
- New International Version (NIV)The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.
- New Living Translation (NLT)As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors.
Context of Job 38:14
12“Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place, 13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it? It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment. 15From the wicked their light is withheld, And the upraised arm is broken. 16“Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths?
Read all of Job 38Job 38:14 word by word
תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ כְּחֹ֣מֶר חוֹתָ֑ם וְ֝יִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ כְּמ֣וֹ לְבֽוּשׁ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 38:14
Commentaries on Job 38:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14It is turned as clay to the seal - The earth, like soft clay, is capable of modifying itself in endless ways, and assuming infinite forms. As a proof of this, see the astonishing variety of plants, flowers, and fruits, and the infinitely diversified hues, odours, tastes, consistency, and properties, of its vegetable productions. There seems to be an allusion here to the sealing of clay, which I believe has been, and is now, frequent in the East. Six of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14It is turned as clay to the seal - A great variety of interpretations has been given to this passage. Schultens enumerates no less than twenty, and of course it is not easy to determine the meaning. The Septuagint renders it, “Didst thou take clay of the earth, and form an animal, and place on the earth a creature endowed with speech?” Though this would agree well with the connection, yet it is a wide departure from the Hebrew. The reference is…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-24Verses 12-24 The Lord questions Job, to convince him of his ignorance, and shame him for his folly in prescribing to God. If we thus try ourselves, we shall soon be brought to own that what we know is nothing in comparison with what we know not. By the tender mercy of our God, the Day-spring from on high has visited us, to give light to those that sit in darkness, whose hearts are turned to it as clay to the seal, 2Co 4:6. God's way in the government of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14stand out like the folds of a garment: The rising sun highlights the colors, shapes, and textures of objects.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 12-1512-15. Passing from creation to phenomena in the existing inanimate world. Hast thou--as God daily does. commanded the morning--to rise. since thy days--since thou hast come into being. his place--It varies in its place of rising from day to day, and yet it has its place each day according to fixed laws.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 38:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 38
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries