Job 36:30
Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
Original Language Analysis
עָלָ֣יו
H5921
עָלָ֣יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אוֹר֑וֹ
his light
H216
אוֹר֑וֹ
his light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
4 of 7
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cosmology portrayed sea as chaos requiring divine control. Baal myths featured conflict with sea-god Yam. Genesis 1:2, 6-10 presents Yahweh effortlessly ordering waters. Psalms celebrate God's mastery over seas (Psalm 29:3, 65:7, 89:9, 93:3-4, 107:23-30). Job 38:8-11 will depict God setting sea's boundaries. Elihu's imagery continues this: God controls both atmospheric phenomena (lightning) and maritime depths. This theological claim against pagan cosmologies asserts Yahweh's exclusive, comprehensive sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- How do natural phenomena like lightning and ocean depths reveal God's power?
- What does Christ's authority over natural forces (storms, sea) demonstrate about His identity?
- How should God's comprehensive sovereignty over creation affect our trust during life's storms?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it (הֵן־פָּרַשׂ עָלָיו אוֹרוֹ, hen-paras alav oro)—The verb paras (פָּרַשׂ, "to spread out, extend") and or (אוֹר, light) likely refer to lightning spreading across clouds or sky. The phrase and covereth the bottom of the sea (וְשָׁרְשֵׁי הַיָּם כִּסָּה, ve-shorshei hayyam kissah) uses shoresh (שֹׁרֶשׁ, root, bottom) and kasah (כָּסָה, "to cover"). This may describe God's light penetrating ocean depths or covering the sea with clouds/darkness. The imagery emphasizes God's comprehensive control—from sky to sea depths.
God's sovereignty extends to all creation's extremes: highest heavens to deepest seas (Psalm 139:7-10, Amos 9:2-3). Lightning displays raw divine power (Psalm 18:14, 77:18, 97:4). Yet Christ walked on water (Matthew 14:25), calmed storms (Mark 4:39), demonstrating authority over creation's most fearsome elements. Revelation 10:5-6 depicts Christ standing on sea and land, swearing by Creator. The gospel reveals that creation's Lord entered creation as creature, subjected Himself to natural forces (hunger, thirst, weariness), died under creation's curse, then rose conquering all (Colossians 1:16-20).