Job 38 29

Job 38:29 kjv

Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

Job 38:29 nkjv

From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?

Job 38:29 niv

From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens

Job 38:29 esv

From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?

Job 38:29 nlt

Who is the mother of the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?

Job 38 verses

Job 38 29 Meaning

Job 38:29 serves as a profound rhetorical question posed by God to Job, challenging his comprehension and revealing the divine origin of natural phenomena like ice and hoarfrost. It signifies that these powerful and intricate atmospheric elements do not arise from natural processes understandable by humans or from any lesser deities, but are intimately "birthed" or brought forth solely by God. The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty, inexplicable power, and creative wisdom in sustaining the created order.

Job 38 29 Context

Job 38 marks the beginning of God's direct address to Job, speaking out of the whirlwind. For 37 chapters, Job and his friends have debated the cause of Job's suffering, often attributing it to human sin or divine justice interpreted through human limited understanding. God's entrance radically shifts the perspective from human speculation to divine revelation. Through a series of rapid-fire, unanswerable questions, God systematically demonstrates His incomparable power, wisdom, and sovereign control over all creation, particularly the vast and intricate workings of the natural world. This challenges Job's self-perception and presumed knowledge, reminding him of his human frailty and the infinite chasm between human and divine understanding. Verse 29 is part of this grand survey of meteorological phenomena (like snow, hail, rain, dew, lightning), highlighting God's sole proprietorship and authorship over them, countering any idea of independent natural forces or the influence of pagan deities.

Job 38 29 Word analysis

• From whose womb (`מִבֶּ֣טֶן` - mibbeten):
  • `מִן` (min) - "from," indicating source or origin.
  • `בֶּ֣טֶן` (beten) - "belly," "womb," or "inner part." This is a significant anthropomorphic metaphor. It does not imply that God has a physical womb but uses human procreation as an analogy to express the intimate, profound, and solitary origin of ice directly from God. It signifies divine initiation and purposeful formation, not a random natural occurrence or a byproduct of lesser forces.
• came (`יָצָ֥א` - yatsa): "came out," "went forth," "issued." Implies an emergence or coming into being from a source. Here, from God as the ultimate source.
• the ice (`קֶ֖רַח` - qerach): Refers specifically to ice, frozen water, or congealed matter. In ancient thought, the formation of such a substance was often mysterious and seen as a powerful natural event.
• And (`וּ` - u-): Conjunction, linking the two parallel questions.
• the hoarfrost (`כְפֹ֥ר` - kephor): "Hoarfrost" or "rime." This is crystallized dew or vapor that freezes on surfaces, forming a white coating. It’s distinct from ice but shares the quality of frozen water, highlighting a subtle yet diverse aspect of God's mastery over cold.
• of heaven (`שָׁמַ֖יִם` - shamayim): "Heavens," "sky," "atmosphere." This connects the phenomenon directly to its celestial source, indicating its origin beyond earthly means or human control, rooted in God's dominion over the sky.
• who (`מִ֥י` - mi): An interrogative pronoun, "who?" Poses the direct challenge, demanding an agent or origin.
• has given birth to it (`יְלִדֽוֹ` - yelido): "begot it," "gave birth to it," "produced it." Derived from the root `ילד` (yalad), "to bear," "to bring forth," "to beget." This is another strong procreative metaphor, mirroring "womb." It powerfully asserts that ice and hoarfrost are not merely natural occurrences but are the result of God's personal and creative act. It reinforces the idea of divine parenthood, making these phenomena directly "His offspring." This directly counters any pagan belief in a distinct "god of winter" or "spirit of frost."

• "From whose womb came the ice?": This rhetorical question establishes God as the sole progenitor of ice. The "womb" metaphor conveys the intimate, deliberate, and singular act of creation. It implies an internal, natural source for phenomena that human observation finds inexplicable without divine intervention. It's a polemic against polytheism or naturalistic explanations that separate creation from a personal, active deity.
• "And who has given birth to the hoarfrost of heaven?": This parallels the first half, strengthening the assertion. By mentioning "hoarfrost of heaven," it specifies another subtle, atmospheric frozen phenomenon, indicating that even the most delicate forms of natural cold are under God's exclusive authorship. The repeated procreative imagery ("womb," "given birth") emphasizes that no other entity, human or divine, possesses the creative power to originate these things. This serves as a direct challenge to any rival claims of control over nature, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern fertility cults or nature deities who were often petitioned for such matters.

Job 38 29 Bonus section

This verse subtly serves as a polemic against ancient Near Eastern cosmological beliefs that often personified natural forces or attributed them to a pantheon of lesser deities. By asking "whose womb?" and "who has given birth?", God implies that unlike pagan deities who might be responsible for specific aspects of nature, there is no other "parent" or originator for ice and hoarfrost—only Yahweh. It emphasizes a monotheistic worldview where all natural phenomena originate from one sovereign Creator, not a myriad of gods or chaotic forces. The use of "womb" also reflects an ultimate intimacy of creation, far beyond simple commanding; it suggests an internal, natural act originating from God Himself, underscoring His self-sufficiency and all-encompassing power.

Job 38 29 Commentary

Job 38:29 is a cornerstone in God's demonstration of His omnipotence and wisdom to Job. By employing profound procreative imagery—the "womb" and "giving birth"—God asserts His intimate and sole proprietorship over the formation of ice and hoarfrost. These seemingly mundane, yet powerful, natural occurrences are revealed to be direct expressions of divine will, defying any human ability to create, comprehend, or even predict their genesis fully. The rhetorical questions strip away any human or idolatrous claim to understanding or control over the weather, firmly placing it under God’s singular, unchallengeable authority. This serves to humble Job, highlighting the infinite gap between limited human knowledge and the boundless wisdom of the Creator who governs every facet of His creation. It's a reminder that even the simplest and most overlooked aspects of nature are deeply connected to the divine purpose.