Job 26:11
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
Original Language Analysis
עַמּוּדֵ֣י
The pillars
H5982
עַמּוּדֵ֣י
The pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
1 of 5
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
שָׁמַ֣יִם
of heaven
H8064
שָׁמַ֣יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 5
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ
tremble
H7322
יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ
tremble
Strong's:
H7322
Word #:
3 of 5
properly, to triturate (in a mortar), i.e., (figuratively) to agitate (by concussion)
Historical Context
Job 26 contains Job's response to Bildad's third speech, demonstrating that Job's theology of God's cosmic sovereignty exceeds his friends' platitudes. Written during the patriarchal period (circa 2000-1800 BC), the poetry reflects cosmological imagery common across Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature while asserting YHWH's unique supremacy over all creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that even mountains tremble at God's rebuke affect your response to His Word?
- In what ways does creation's response to divine authority challenge human pride and autonomy?
- What does it mean that God's mere rebuke shakes cosmic foundations, yet He speaks gently to repentant sinners?
Analysis & Commentary
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof (עַמּוּדֵי שָׁמַיִם יְרוֹפָפוּ וְיִתְמְהוּ מִגַּעֲרָתוֹ). Job concludes his cosmological hymn with vertical imagery—after describing God's power over earth and sea, he ascends to the celestial realm. Ammudei shamayim (pillars of heaven) likely refers to mountains conceived as supporting the sky-dome, a common Ancient Near Eastern cosmology reflected poetically in Scripture.
The verb rophaph (רוֹפֵף) means to tremble, shake, or totter—these cosmic foundations quake at divine rebuke. Ga'arah (גַּעֲרָה, reproof/rebuke) appears frequently when God subdues chaos forces (Psalm 104:7, Nahum 1:4). The mountains' astonishment (tamah, תָּמַהּ) personifies creation's response to divine majesty—even inanimate creation recognizes and responds to God's authority, anticipating Jesus's claim that if disciples were silent, the stones would cry out (Luke 19:40).