Job 9:7
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִזְרָ֑ח
and it riseth
H2224
יִזְרָ֑ח
and it riseth
Strong's:
H2224
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
וּבְעַ֖ד
H1157
וּבְעַ֖ד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
5 of 7
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 13:10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.Amos 8:9And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions often deified sun, moon, and stars (Deuteronomy 4:19). Job's description of God commanding celestial bodies affirms monotheism—these aren't deities but creatures obeying their Creator. The sun's rising was considered the most reliable natural phenomenon; God's ability to prevent it demonstrates absolute sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's transcendence over natural law both threaten (He can suspend expected patterns) and comfort (He can intervene redemptively)?
- What does Job's focus on God's power over nature teach about the relationship between creation and Creator?
- In what ways do biblical miracles confirm Job's theology that God isn't bound by natural regularities?
Analysis & Commentary
Job declares God's command over celestial bodies: 'Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.' The verb 'commandeth' (amar, אָמַר) is the same used in Genesis 1—God speaks, and creation obeys or refrains. God can prevent the sun from rising, reversing creation's fundamental pattern (Genesis 1:3-5). To 'seal up' (chatham, חָתַם) the stars means to close, shut up, or hide them from view.
Job's point intensifies: God controls not merely earth but the heavens governing time and seasons. If God can stop the sun, suspend day/night patterns, and hide stars, human appeals to natural law or expected patterns mean nothing. The Creator isn't bound by creation's regularities—He can suspend them at will. This makes arguing based on 'what should happen' (the righteous should prosper) futile when God can rewrite the rules.
The Bible records instances of divine intervention in celestial mechanics: sun standing still (Joshua 10:12-13), sun's shadow moving backward (2 Kings 20:11), darkness at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:45). These confirm Job's theology: natural law derives from divine decree, not necessity. God's covenant faithfulness (Genesis 8:22) guarantees nature's regularity, but His sovereignty means He can intervene when redemptive purposes require.