Job 26 10

Job 26:10 kjv

He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

Job 26:10 nkjv

He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters, At the boundary of light and darkness.

Job 26:10 niv

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.

Job 26:10 esv

He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Job 26:10 nlt

He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
he set the boundary between day and night.

Job 26 verses

Job 26 10 Meaning

Job 26:10 proclaims God's unparalleled and sovereign power in creation, specifically His precise establishment of boundaries for the vast, deep waters and the cosmos. It describes His divine wisdom and authority in setting a definite horizon or circle on the surface of the waters, marking the perpetual division where light perpetually meets darkness. This demonstrates God's effortless control over what could otherwise be chaotic, illustrating His decree as the unchanging law of creation.

Job 26 10 Context

Job 26:10 is part of Job’s majestic defense of God’s absolute power and incomprehensible wisdom, delivered in response to Bildad’s brief and less comprehensive argument (Job 25). Job seeks to illustrate that while humans might possess some knowledge of God’s ways, His true grandeur in creation far surpasses any mortal understanding or articulated wisdom. Job demonstrates God's power extending from the deepest realms (Sheol and Abaddon, Job 26:6) to the cosmic expanse (heavens, stars, clouds, Job 26:7-9). Verse 10 specifically transitions from the mysteries above to God’s control over the vast waters, emphasizing His authoritative ordering of creation, where the seemingly untamable deep is meticulously bounded by divine decree. It implicitly serves as a polemic against ancient Near Eastern myths that depicted creation as a violent struggle against chaotic waters or as the result of battles between gods; here, the sovereign God simply "inscribes" His decree.

Job 26 10 Word analysis

• He: This refers singularly to God, Yahweh. The pronoun emphasizes His distinct, sole agency and absolute authority in performing these acts of creation and cosmic regulation.
• hath compassed/inscribed: The Hebrew term is חֻקּ־ (ḥuqq-), derived from the verb חקק (ḥaqaq), meaning to engrave, to decree, to enact, to mark out, or to delineate. It suggests a firm, precise, and permanent act, not merely a temporary containment. This is a legislative or architectural action, signifying God's wisdom and sovereign rule, establishing unchangeable cosmic laws.
• a circle: The Hebrew word is חוּג (ḥûg), which can mean a circle, a vault, a circuit, or the horizon. In this context, it vividly describes the visible horizon line that one perceives when looking across a vast body of water, indicating the outermost edge of sight. It implies the perfection and completeness of the boundary established by God. This is not necessarily about the earth's shape (spherical or flat), but about the ordered boundary God creates and maintains.
• the waters: Refers to the vast, primeval, or ocean waters, often symbolic in the Bible of chaos, untamed power, or the deep. By putting "a circle on the face of the waters," God demonstrates His mastery over even the most unruly elements, bringing order out of potential disorder.
• with bounds: This translates the Hebrew term תַּכְלִית (takhlît), meaning limit, boundary, perfection, completion, or consummation. Its inclusion emphasizes the precise and defined nature of the limit set by God.
• until the day and night come to an end / at the boundary between light and darkness: This phrase renders the Hebrew עַד־תַּכְלִית אוֹר עִם־חֹשֶׁךְ (ʿad-takhlît ôr ʿim-ḥōšech). While the KJV interprets takhlît as an "end" or "cessation," most modern translations and scholarly consensus interpret it as a "boundary" or "limit." This interpretation (like ESV/NIV: "at the boundary between light and darkness") aligns better with the immediate context of "setting bounds." It refers to the physical phenomenon of the horizon, the constant, distinct line where the visible light meets the shadows or the edge of vision. This perpetually defined line testifies to God's continuous ordering power.

• "He hath compassed/inscribed a circle": This phrase portrays God as the divine architect and legislator. His act of "inscribing" is not laborious but a majestic declaration or enactment. It highlights God's authority in establishing precise, unchangeable parameters in the cosmos.
• "the waters with bounds": This powerfully conveys God's complete dominion over all chaotic elements. The vast, potentially destructive "waters" are not simply held back, but are precisely and permanently "bounded" by God's decree, showcasing His inherent control.
• "until the day and night come to an end / at the boundary between light and darkness": This specific cosmic reference underlines the fixed, unwavering nature of God's boundaries. It can be understood as the visible horizon line that is always present wherever light meets darkness, a testament to God's constant, precise maintenance of cosmic order rather than a prophetic statement about the end of time.

Job 26 10 Bonus section

This verse powerfully articulates an aspect of creation known as creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) and creatio continua (ongoing creation/sustenance). God's "inscribing a circle" and setting "bounds" demonstrates not just a past creative act but an enduring, sovereign maintenance of cosmic order. The "horizon" is a continuous phenomenon, emphasizing God's perpetual involvement in upholding His creation, rather than merely initiating it and then withdrawing. The unceasing boundary between light and darkness further points to the steadfastness of His divine decrees in governing the very cycles of existence. This perpetual ordering by God reflects His wisdom and might as infinitely superior to any created power or human comprehension, humbling the listener before His majestic works.

Job 26 10 Commentary

Job 26:10 offers a profound declaration of God's magnificent sovereignty in the creation and ordering of the universe. Far from the laborious or contentious acts attributed to deities in other ancient narratives, the God of the Bible simply "inscribes" His will upon creation. This single act encapsulates His legislative and executive power, establishing unalterable decrees. The "circle on the face of the waters" signifies a meticulously set boundary, perhaps representing the visible horizon line where the immense waters meet the sky, forever marking the distinction between light and darkness. This isn't merely a physical description but a profound theological statement: God doesn't just manage chaos, He fundamentally defines its limits with perfect wisdom. This boundary, whether understood as a cosmic edge or the line where day and night eternally meet on the horizon, stands as an enduring witness to God's precise and constant control, emphasizing His unmatched wisdom and power in upholding the cosmos every moment. It serves as a reminder that all limits in the natural world are ordained and maintained by Him, testifying to His incomprehensible greatness.