Job 38:19
Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
Original Language Analysis
הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ
Where is the way
H1870
הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ
Where is the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 9
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יִשְׁכָּן
dwelleth
H7931
יִשְׁכָּן
dwelleth
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
4 of 9
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
א֑וֹר
where light
H216
א֑וֹר
where light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
5 of 9
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Cross References
Ezekiel 32:8All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD.Isaiah 45:7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.Psalms 105:28He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.Psalms 104:20Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.Psalms 18:11He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.Matthew 27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.John 1:9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.Deuteronomy 4:19And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
Historical Context
Ancient cosmologies offered various explanations for day/night cycles, often involving divine beings or mythological mechanisms. Israel affirmed that God established both light and darkness through sovereign decree (Genesis 1:3-5). The question reminds Job and readers that understanding nature's fundamentals requires divine revelation, not human speculation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that light ultimately originates in God shape our pursuit of truth?
- What does it mean practically that Christ is the light of the world and we are called to be lights?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof?" God asks about light and darkness's origin and habitation. Ancient thought often personified these as substances with dwelling places. The question probes reality's fundamental nature—sources of light and darkness. Job cannot answer, highlighting God's unique knowledge of creation's deepest structures. Theologically, this anticipates John 1's revelation that God is light (1 John 1:5) and Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12). Ultimate light originates in God Himself.