Job 38 13

Job 38:13 kjv

That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

Job 38:13 nkjv

That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

Job 38:13 niv

that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?

Job 38:13 esv

that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?

Job 38:13 nlt

Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
to bring an end to the night's wickedness?

Job 38 verses

Job 38 13 Meaning

Job 38:13 is a rhetorical question posed by God, showcasing His absolute power and comprehensive control over creation and morality. It describes how God establishes the dawn, causing its light to reach the farthest corners of the earth, thereby serving to expose and dislodge the wicked from their deeds and hiding places. This demonstrates God's omnipresent order, where the physical illumination of the world directly facilitates divine judgment and maintains moral accountability.

Job 38 13 Context

Job 38 marks a pivotal shift in the book, as God, for the first time, speaks directly to Job out of a whirlwind. Job, having exhaustively expressed his grievances and challenged divine justice, is now confronted by the Creator Himself. Chapters 38-41 contain a series of majestic rhetorical questions posed by God to Job, emphasizing His infinite power, wisdom, and knowledge concerning the natural world, in contrast to Job's finite human understanding and inability to control even the simplest elements of creation.

Verse 13 directly follows God's initial questions about Job's knowledge of the earth's foundations and the sea's boundaries (Job 38:4-11), leading into a discourse about controlling light and darkness (Job 38:12-15). God highlights His exclusive power over the morning dawn and its light. The rhetorical nature of the question ("That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?") implies that Job certainly cannot do these things, but God effortlessly does, integrating the cosmic phenomenon of dawn with the moral outcome of judgment on the wicked.

Job 38 13 Word analysis

• That it might take hold (תאחז, ta'akhaz): From the Hebrew root אחז (ʼāḥaz), meaning "to grasp," "to seize," "to hold fast," or "to take possession." This word implies an active, strong, and pervasive action. The light does not passively appear; it actively seizes or lays firm hold of the earth, establishing its presence everywhere with divine authority and control.
• of the ends (כנפות, k'nafote): The plural form of כנף (kanaph), literally meaning "wing." It also refers to the "extremity," "edge," "corner," or "skirt" of a garment or an object. Metaphorically, "the ends" signifies the utmost reaches or boundaries. This evokes the image of a comprehensive, universal sweep, like wings stretching over everything, ensuring no part is left untouched.
• of the earth (ארץ, eretz): The Hebrew word for "earth," "land," or "ground." In this context, it refers to the entire inhabited world or the whole terrestrial sphere. The phrase "ends of the earth" emphasizes the absolute universality of the dawn's reach and, consequently, God's omnipresence and total dominion over all His creation.
• and the wicked (רשעים, r'sha'im): The plural form of רשע (*rasha'), meaning "wicked," "guilty," or "unrighteous." These are individuals who willfully transgress God's law, commit injustices, and typically operate under the cloak of darkness to conceal their evil deeds.
• be shaken out (ינערו, yin'aru): From the Hebrew root נער (na'ar), meaning "to shake," "to shake off," "to cast off," or "to dislodge." This term denotes a forceful removal or expulsion. It vividly pictures the wicked being unable to remain hidden or stable in the presence of light, much like dust or dirt is forcibly shaken out of a cloth, revealing and ridding it of impurities.
• of it?: Implied, from the earth. The rhetorical question suggests that God’s purpose in spreading the light is not just illumination but the moral separation and judgment of those who commit wickedness.

Words-group analysis:

• "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth": This phrase beautifully portrays the omnipotence and omnipresence of God. Just as the morning light extends universally and irresistibly to every corner of the globe, so too does God's sovereign reach and established order pervade all existence. There is no place, no corner, no hiding spot that can escape His divine awareness and governance.
• "and the wicked be shaken out of it?": This reveals the profound moral consequence embedded within God's control over nature. The pervasive light of dawn is a divinely appointed agent for justice. Those who engage in wicked deeds—which inherently seek concealment in darkness—are, by the mere arrival of God's light, metaphorically "shaken out." Their hidden practices are exposed, their false sense of security is destabilized, and they are rendered visible and vulnerable to divine reckoning, ensuring that evil cannot indefinitely escape detection and judgment.

Job 38 13 Bonus section

• Polemics Against Contemporary Beliefs: In the ancient Near East, some cultures believed that cosmic order was maintained through ongoing battles between various gods or was susceptible to chaos. Job 38:13, along with the rest of God's speech, strongly counters such ideas by presenting Yahweh as the sole, effortlessly powerful, and intrinsically ordered Creator who maintains both physical and moral stability throughout the entire cosmos, without rival or struggle.
• Theophany: God's address to Job from "the whirlwind" (Job 38:1) is a profound example of a theophany, a visible or audible manifestation of God to humankind. This spectacular display emphasizes God's majesty, unapproachability, and transcendent power, setting His words in an awe-inspiring context.
• Divine Governance: The verse illustrates not only God's creative power but also His providential governance. The natural rhythm of dawn and daylight is not merely an indifferent physical process; it is interwoven with God's moral purpose, serving as an instrument for revealing truth and exposing hidden iniquity, confirming that divine justice is perpetually active in the world.

Job 38 13 Commentary

Job 38:13 encapsulates God's ultimate authority over creation and His steadfast commitment to justice. God questions Job, effectively asking, "Can you command the dawn to appear and illuminate the entire earth, and by its very coming, dislodge the wicked?" The implicit answer is a resounding "No," highlighting Job's human limitations compared to the Creator. The morning light, a daily wonder, becomes a powerful symbol of divine presence and moral discernment. Wickedness thrives in obscurity, but God's light penetrates every hiding place, metaphorically "shaking out" those who do evil, forcing their deeds into the open. This verse provides a profound theological truth: the universe operates under a divine order where natural processes are intertwined with God's moral governance. Despite Job's profound suffering and questioning of divine justice, this statement reaffirms that God is actively in control, His pervasive knowledge extends everywhere, and He will indeed bring all hidden deeds to light, ensuring that no wickedness will ultimately go unexposed or unjudged.