Chapters
Job (42 chapters)
Job 26
1
Job replied,
2
“How helpful you have been to this feeble man that I am. How supportive you have been to the weak.
3
What good advice you have given to this ignorant man, demonstrating you have so much wisdom.
4
Who helped you speak these words? Who inspired you to say such things?
1
Notes
+
Clearly in these verses Job is being ironic. In addition some commentators see 26:1-4as Job interrupting Bildad who continues as speaker of 26:5-14.
5
The dead tremble, those beneath the waters.
6
Sheol lies naked before God, Abaddon is uncovered.
1
Notes
+
Sheol and Abaddon are names for the underworld, the place of the dead. The idea in this verse is that nothing is hidden from God.
7
He stretches the northern sky over empty space; he hangs the world on nothing.
8
He gathers the rain in his storm clouds which do not break under the weight.
9
He veils his throne; covering it with his clouds.
10
On the surface of the waters he set a boundary; he set a limit dividing light from darkness.
1
Notes
+
There are echoes of the Genesis account of creation here.
11
The pillars of heaven tremble; they shake with fear at his rebuke.
1
Notes
+
According to the ancients, the sky was supported by pillars (identified with certain mountains).
12
He calmed the sea with his power; because he knew what to do, he crushed Rahab.
1
Notes
+
Rahab was a legendary sea-monster, and may refer to some creation stories.
13
The breath of his voice made the heavens beautiful; with his hand he pierced the gliding serpent.
1
Notes
+
See Isaiah 27:1.
14
This is just a little of all he does—what we hear of him is hardly a whisper, so who can understand his thunderous power?”