Job 9:6
Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
Original Language Analysis
הַמַּרְגִּ֣יז
Which shaketh
H7264
הַמַּרְגִּ֣יז
Which shaketh
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
1 of 5
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
מִמְּקוֹמָ֑הּ
out of her place
H4725
מִמְּקוֹמָ֑הּ
out of her place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
3 of 5
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
Cross References
Hebrews 12:26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.Isaiah 2:21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.Psalms 75:3The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.Haggai 2:6For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;Isaiah 2:19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.Job 26:11The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.Psalms 114:7Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;Haggai 2:21Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern creation myths often included cosmic combat—gods battling chaos forces. Biblical cosmology transforms this: YHWH alone creates and sustains, needing no conflict to establish order. His shaking of earth's foundations demonstrates sovereign power, not conflict with rivals. This monotheism makes Job's problem more acute—there's no evil deity to blame.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God as both Creator and Sustainer affect our response when He seems to shake our foundations?
- What does Job's focus on divine power to destroy teach about his limited perspective lacking resurrection hope?
- In what ways does Hebrews 12:26-29 transform our understanding of God's foundation-shaking power?
Analysis & Commentary
Job continues: 'Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.' The verb 'shaketh' (ragaz, רָגַז) means to quake, tremble, or be agitated. Ancient cosmology conceived earth resting on pillars or foundations (1 Samuel 2:8, Psalm 75:3), which God can destabilize at will. The earth's 'pillars' (ammud, עַמּוּד) 'tremble' (palas, פָּלַס), creating image of earthquake shaking creation's very foundations.
Job's imagery describes divine power that can undo creation itself. The God who established earth's foundations (Job 38:4-6) can equally shake them. This cosmic power makes Job's legal case hopeless—how does one argue with the Author of physical law who can suspend or revise those laws? The asymmetry isn't merely strength (strong human versus stronger God) but categories (creature versus Creator).
The New Testament develops this imagery: God's voice shakes not only earth but heaven (Hebrews 12:26), removing what can be shaken to reveal what cannot be shaken—His kingdom. Job sees only God's power to destroy; the gospel reveals God's power also to establish what cannot be shaken. The same divine sovereignty that terrifies in judgment comforts in salvation.