Job 38:21

Job 38:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
• New International Version (NIV)Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!
• English Standard Version (ESV)You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do you know it, because you were born then, Or because the number of your days is great?

Context of Job 38:21

19“Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? 20Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced! 22“Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail? 23(I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.)

Job 38:21 word by word

יָ֭דַעְתָּ כִּי־אָ֣ז תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וּמִסְפַּ֖ר יָמֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Knowestיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• because thou wast then bornיָלַדyâlad · to begetH3205
• the numberמִסְפָּרmispâr · numberH4557
• of thy daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• greatרַבrab · manyH7227

Cross-references for Job 38:21

• Job 38:4“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
• Job 15:7“Were you the first person ever born? Were you born before the hills were made?

Commentaries on Job 38:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Knowest 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? - This may either be a question, or it may be spoken ironically. According to the former mode of rendering it, it is the same as asking Job whether he had lived long enough to understand where the abode of light was, or whether he had an existence when it was created, and knew where its home was appointed. According to the latter mode, it is keen sarcasm. “Thou must know all this, for thou art so old. Thou…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. 21you were already born: Compare with Proverbs 8:25. This sarcasm is similar to Eliphaz's words in Job 15:7.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-3819-38. The marvels in heaven. "What is the way (to the place wherein) light dwelleth?" The origin of light and darkness. In Ge 1:3-5, 14-18, "light" is created distinct from, and previous to, light-emitting bodies, the luminaries of heaven.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 38:21

• Blessing
• God

In the dictionaries

• Bar
• Consume
• Covert
• Dark
• Hitherto
• Loose
• Reserve
• Satisfy
• Spring
• Sweet

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