Job 38:11

Authorized King James Version

And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֹמַ֗ר
H559
And said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
עַד
H5704
Hitherto
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#3
פֹּ֣ה
H6311
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence
#4
תָ֭בוֹא
H935
shalt thou come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
תֹסִ֑יף
H3254
but no further
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
#7
וּפֹ֥א
H6311
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence
#8
יָ֝שִׁ֗ית
H7896
be stayed
to place (in a very wide application)
#9
בִּגְא֥וֹן
H1347
and here shall thy proud
the same as h1346
#10
גַּלֶּֽיךָ׃
H1530
waves
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection