Job 26:13

Authorized King James Version

PDF

By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Original Language Analysis

בְּ֭רוּחוֹ By his spirit H7307
בְּ֭רוּחוֹ By his spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 1 of 7
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
שָׁמַ֣יִם the heavens H8064
שָׁמַ֣יִם the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 2 of 7
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
שִׁפְרָ֑ה he hath garnished H8235
שִׁפְרָ֑ה he hath garnished
Strong's: H8235
Word #: 3 of 7
brightness
חֹֽלֲלָ֥ה H2490
חֹֽלֲלָ֥ה
Strong's: H2490
Word #: 4 of 7
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
יָ֝ד֗וֹ his hand H3027
יָ֝ד֗וֹ his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 5 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נָחָ֥שׁ serpent H5175
נָחָ֥שׁ serpent
Strong's: H5175
Word #: 6 of 7
a snake (from its hiss)
בָּרִֽחַ׃ the crooked H1281
בָּרִֽחַ׃ the crooked
Strong's: H1281
Word #: 7 of 7
a fugitive, i.e., the serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name

Analysis & Commentary

Job praises God's creative power: 'By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.' This acknowledges divine sovereignty over chaos (the serpent/Leviathan). Even while questioning God's providence, Job affirms His cosmic authority.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern mythology featured chaos monsters (Leviathan, Rahab) that deities fought to establish order. Job affirms God's absolute mastery over such forces.

Questions for Reflection