Job 37:7
He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
Original Language Analysis
בְּיַד
the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
1 of 8
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
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָדָ֥ם
of every man
H120
אָדָ֥ם
of every man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לָ֝דַ֗עַת
may know
H3045
לָ֝דַ֗עַת
may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 8
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 109:27That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.Psalms 111:2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.Isaiah 26:11LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.Isaiah 5:12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.Psalms 92:4For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.Psalms 64:9And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.Psalms 46:8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.Job 9:7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.Job 5:12He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.Job 12:14Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
Historical Context
In agrarian ancient Israel, winter rains made outdoor work impossible, creating natural Sabbath periods beyond the weekly observance. Elihu interprets these seasonal limitations not as nature's cruelty but as God's pedagogy, teaching humans their creature-status through weather-enforced rest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God 'seal up your hands' through circumstances that force you to stop striving and recognize your dependence?
- What is the difference between knowing God's work intellectually versus knowing it experientially through forced seasons of rest?
- Why might God use immobilization rather than prosperity to teach humans about His work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He sealeth up the hand of every man (beyad-kol-'adam yahtom, בְּיַד־כָּל־אָדָם יַחְתּוֹם)—The verb hatam (חָתַם) means to seal, stamp, or authenticate—used of royal signet rings marking official documents. Winter weather 'seals' or immobilizes human labor, forcing cessation from agricultural work. That all men may know his work (lada'at kol-anshe ma'asehu, לָדַעַת כָּל־אַנְשֵׁי מַעֲשֵׂהוּ)—the verb yada' (יָדַע) means intimate, experiential knowledge, not mere information.
God designs enforced rest so humans recognize their dependence on Him. This anticipates Sabbath theology: cessation from work is how creatures acknowledge the Creator's sovereignty. Ironically, Job's friends have been 'sealed up' from productive speech—their words accomplished nothing—while God will soon 'seal up' their mouths with His overwhelming self-revelation.