Job 38:37

Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

Word-by-Word Analysis

מִֽי

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יְסַפֵּ֣ר

H5608

Who can number

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

שְׁחָקִ֣ים

H7834

the clouds

a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament

בְּחָכְמָ֑ה

H2451

in wisdom

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְנִבְלֵ֥י

H5035

the bottles

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם

H8064

of heaven

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

מִ֣י

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַשְׁכִּֽיב׃

H7901

or who can stay

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Job. The concept of wisdom reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on wisdom address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?