Job 26:12
He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
Original Language Analysis
בְּ֭כֹחוֹ
with his power
H3581
בְּ֭כֹחוֹ
with his power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
1 of 6
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
רָגַ֣ע
He divideth
H7280
רָגַ֣ע
He divideth
Strong's:
H7280
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci
הַיָּ֑ם
the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֑ם
the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
3 of 6
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וּ֝בִתְובֻנָת֗וֹ
and by his understanding
H8394
וּ֝בִתְובֻנָת֗וֹ
and by his understanding
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
4 of 6
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
Cross References
Isaiah 51:15But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.Jeremiah 31:35Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:Isaiah 51:9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?Job 12:13With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.Job 9:13If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern creation myths featured violent divine conflicts with chaos monsters (Tiamat in Enuma Elish, Leviathan in Ugaritic texts). Job appropriates this imagery to exalt YHWH's unchallenged sovereignty—He doesn't struggle against Rahab but effortlessly strikes through it. This theological polemic affirms monotheism against pagan dualism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's combination of power and understanding in creation inform how we should approach problems—with both strength and wisdom?
- In what ways does Christ's defeat of spiritual 'Rahab' (Satan and death) through the cross demonstrate divine wisdom surpassing mere power?
- What 'proud' forces in your life need to be struck through by God's discerning power?
Analysis & Commentary
He divideth the sea with his power (בְּכֹחוֹ רָגַע הַיָּם)—the verb raga (רָגַע) means to stir up, disturb, or still, implying sovereign control over chaos waters. This echoes creation (Genesis 1:2) and Exodus (14:21), establishing God's authority over cosmic and historical chaos. Koach (כֹּחַ, power/strength) emphasizes raw divine might.
By his understanding he smiteth through the proud (וּבִתְבוּנָתוֹ מָחַץ רָהַב). Tebunah (תְּבוּנָה) denotes discernment and wisdom—God defeats chaos not merely by force but by intelligent design. Rahab (רַהַב, the proud) refers to the mythological chaos monster representing primordial rebellion, mentioned in Job 9:13, Psalm 89:10, and Isaiah 51:9. God's machats (מָחַץ, shattering/piercing) of Rahab demonstrates that divine wisdom always triumphs over prideful opposition. This prefigures Christ's defeat of Satan through the 'foolishness' of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:25).