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Selected Verse: Job 9:8 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Job 9:8	Strong Concordance	Which alone spreadeth out [05186] the heavens [08064], and treadeth [01869] upon the waves [01116] of the sea [03220].
	King James	Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
spreadeth out-- (Isa 40:22; Psa 104:2). But throughout it is not so much God's creating, as His governing, power over nature that is set forth. A storm seems a struggle between Nature and her Lord! Better, therefore, "Who boweth the heavens alone," without help of any other. God descends from the bowed-down heaven to the earth (Psa 18:9). The storm, wherein the clouds descend, suggests this image. In the descent of the vault of heaven, God has come down from His high throne and walks majestically over the mountain waves (Hebrew, "heights"), as a conqueror taming their violence. So "tread upon" (Deu 33:29; Amo 4:13; Mat 14:26). The Egyptian hieroglyphic for impossibility is a man walking on waves.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

spreadeth out-- (Isa 40:22; Psa 104:2). But throughout it is not so much God's creating, as His governing, power over nature that is set forth. A storm seems a struggle between Nature and her Lord! Better, therefore, "Who boweth the heavens alone," without help of any other. God descends from the bowed-down heaven to the earth (Psa 18:9). The storm, wherein the clouds descend, suggests this image. In the descent of the vault of heaven, God has come down from His high throne and walks majestically over the mountain waves (Hebrew, "heights"), as a conqueror taming their violence. So "tread upon" (Deu 33:29; Amo 4:13; Mat 14:26). The Egyptian hieroglyphic for impossibility is a man walking on waves.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Which alone spreadeth out the heavens - As an expanse, or a curtain; see the notes at Isa 40:22. And treadeth upon the waves of the sea - Margin, "Heights." So it is in the Hebrew. It means the "high waves;" that is, he walks upon the waves of the ocean when lifted up by a storm. This is spoken of here as a proof of the greatness of God; and the meaning of all is, that he is seen in the storm, in the heaving ocean, when the heavens are black with tempest, and when the earth is convulsed. It may be added here, that the Lord Jesus walked amidst the howling winds on the lake, and thus gave evidence that he was God; Mat 14:25. "The Egyptian hieroglyphic for what was not possible to be done, was a man walking on the water." Burder. Dr. Good, and some others, render this, "on the mountains." But the more correct rendering is given in the common version. The Hebrew word rendered "waves" (במה bâmâh) indeed properly means a height, a lofty place, a mountain; but the comparison of waves with a mountain, is common in all languages. So we speak of waves "mountain-high," or as high as mountains. So Virgil, Aeneid i. 105, Insequitur cumulo praeruptus aquae mons. Similar to this, is the expression occurring in Homer, κύματα ἶσα ὄρεσσιν kumata isa oressin; and so Apollonius, i. 521 - ἅλὸς ἄκρον chalos akron. The Septuagint renders it, "who walketh upon the sea as upon a pavement."

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
8 Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, And walketh upon the heights of the sea; 9 Who made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; 10 Who doeth great things past finding out, And wondrous things without number. Ewald, Hirzel, and others, understand נטה (Job 9:8) according to Psa 18:10 : He letteth down the clouds of heaven, and walketh on the heights of the sea of clouds, i.e., high above the towering thunder-clouds. But parallel passages, such as Isa 40:22; Psa 104:2, and especially Isa 44:24, show that Job 9:8 is to be understood as referring to the creation of the firmament of heaven; and consequently נטה is to be taken in the sense of expandere, and is a form of expression naturally occurring in connection with the mention of the waters which are separated by means of the רקיע. The question arises, whether ים here means the sea of waters above the firmament or upon the earth. According to the idea of the ancients, the waters which descend as rain have their habitation far away in the infinite expanse of the sky; the ocean of the sky (Egyptian Nun-pa), through which the sun-god Ra sails every day, is there. It is possible that "the heights of the sea" here, and perhaps also "the roots of the sea" (Job 36:30), may mean this ocean of the sky, as Hahn and Schlottmann suppose. But it is not necessary to adopt such an explanation, and it is moreover hazardous, since this conception of the celestial θάλασσα is not found elsewhere (apart from Rev 4:6; Rev 15:2; Rev 22:1). Why may not בּמתי, which is used of the heights of the clouds (Isa 14:14), be used also of the waves of the sea which mount up towards heaven (Psa 107:26)? God walks over them as man walks on level ground (lxx περιπατῶν ἐπὶ θαλάσσης ὡς ἐπ ̓ ἐδάφους); they rise or lie calmly beneath His feel according to His almighty will (comp. Hab 3:15). Job next describes God as the Creator of the stars, by introducing a constellation of the northern (the Bear), one of the southern (Orion), and one of the eastern sky (the Pleiades). עשׁ, contracted from נעשׁ, Arabic na‛š, a bier, is the constellation of seven stars (septentrio or septentriones) in the northern sky. The Greater and the Lesser Bear form a square, which the Arabs regarded as a bier; the three other stars, benâth n‛asch, i.e., daughters of the bier (comp. Job 38:32), seem to be the mourners. כּסיל is Orion chained to the sky, which the ancients regarded as a powerful giant, and also as an insolent, foolish fellow (Note: The Arabic jâhil is similar, which combines the significations, an ignorant, foolhardy, and passionate man (vid., Fleischer, Ali's hundert Sprche, S. 115f.).) (K. O. Mller, Kleine deutsche Schriften, ii. 125). כּימה is the Pleiades, a constellation consisting of seven large and other smaller stars, Arabic turayyâ, which, like the Hebrew (comp. Arab. kûmat, cumulus), signifies the heap, cluster (vid., Job 38:31), and is compared by the Persian poets to a bouquet formed of jewels. It is the constellation of seven stars, whose rising and setting determined the commencement and end of their voyages (πλειάς, probably = constellation of navigation), and is to be distinguished from the northern septentriones. תּימן חדרי are, according to the Targ., the chambers of the constellations on the south side of the heavens, as also most expositors explain them (Mercier: sidera quae sunt in altero hemisphaerio versus alterum polum antarcticum), according to which תּימן, or written defectively תּמן, would therefore be equivalent to תמן כוכבי; or perhaps, in a more general meaning, the regions of the southern sky (penetralia), which are veiled, or altogether lost to view (Hirzel). In v. 10, Job says, almost verbatim, what Eliphaz had said (Job 5:10). Job agrees with the friends in the recognition of the power of God, and intentionally describes those phases of it which display its terrible majesty. But while the friends deduce from this doctrine the duty of a humble deportment on the part of the sufferer, Job uses it to support the cheerless truth that human right can never be maintained in opposition to the absolute God.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

8 Who alone spreadeth out the heavens,

And walketh upon the heights of the sea;

9 Who made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades,

And the chambers of the south;

10 Who doeth great things past finding out,

And wondrous things without number.

Ewald, Hirzel, and others, understand נטה (Job 9:8) according to Psa 18:10 : He letteth down the clouds of heaven, and walketh on the heights of the sea of clouds, i.e., high above the towering thunder-clouds. But parallel passages, such as Isa 40:22; Psa 104:2, and especially Isa 44:24, show that Job 9:8 is to be understood as referring to the creation of the firmament of heaven; and consequently נטה is to be taken in the sense of expandere, and is a form of expression naturally occurring in connection with the mention of the waters which are separated by means of the רקיע. The question arises, whether ים here means the sea of waters above the firmament or upon the earth. According to the idea of the ancients, the waters which descend as rain have their habitation far away in the infinite expanse of the sky; the ocean of the sky (Egyptian Nun-pa), through which the sun-god Ra sails every day, is there. It is possible that "the heights of the sea" here, and perhaps also "the roots of the sea" (Job 36:30), may mean this ocean of the sky, as Hahn and Schlottmann suppose. But it is not necessary to adopt such an explanation, and it is moreover hazardous, since this conception of the celestial θάλασσα is not found elsewhere (apart from Rev 4:6; Rev 15:2; Rev 22:1). Why may not בּמתי, which is used of the heights of the clouds (Isa 14:14), be used also of the waves of the sea which mount up towards heaven (Psa 107:26)? God walks over them as man walks on level ground (lxx περιπατῶν ἐπὶ θαλάσσης ὡς ἐπ ̓ ἐδάφους); they rise or lie calmly beneath His feel according to His almighty will (comp. Hab 3:15).

Job next describes God as the Creator of the stars, by introducing a constellation of the northern (the Bear), one of the southern (Orion), and one of the eastern sky (the Pleiades). עשׁ, contracted from נעשׁ, Arabic na‛š, a bier, is the constellation of seven stars (septentrio or septentriones) in the northern sky. The Greater and the Lesser Bear form a square, which the Arabs regarded as a bier; the three other stars, benâth n‛asch, i.e., daughters of the bier (comp. Job 38:32), seem to be the mourners. כּסיל is Orion chained to the sky, which the ancients regarded as a powerful giant, and also as an insolent, foolish fellow

(Note: The Arabic jâhil is similar, which combines the significations, an ignorant, foolhardy, and passionate man (vid., Fleischer, Ali's hundert Sprche, S. 115f.).)

(K. O. Mller, Kleine deutsche Schriften, ii. 125). כּימה is the Pleiades, a constellation consisting of seven large and other smaller stars, Arabic turayyâ, which, like the Hebrew (comp. Arab. kûmat, cumulus), signifies the heap, cluster (vid., Job 38:31), and is compared by the Persian poets to a bouquet formed of jewels. It is the constellation of seven stars, whose rising and setting determined the commencement and end of their voyages (πλειάς, probably = constellation of navigation), and is to be distinguished from the northern septentriones. תּימן חדרי are, according to the Targ., the chambers of the constellations on the south side of the heavens, as also most expositors explain them (Mercier: sidera quae sunt in altero hemisphaerio versus alterum polum antarcticum), according to which תּימן, or written defectively תּמן, would therefore be equivalent to תמן כוכבי; or perhaps, in a more general meaning, the regions of the southern sky (penetralia), which are veiled, or altogether lost to view (Hirzel). In v. 10, Job says, almost verbatim, what Eliphaz had said (Job 5:10). Job agrees with the friends in the recognition of the power of God, and intentionally describes those phases of it which display its terrible majesty. But while the friends deduce from this doctrine the duty of a humble deportment on the part of the sufferer, Job uses it to support the cheerless truth that human right can never be maintained in opposition to the absolute God.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Who. &c. - A farther description of a black and tempestuous season, wherein the heavens seem to be brought down nearer to the earth. Treadeth - Represseth and ruleth them when they rage and are tempestuous: for treading upon any thing, signifies in scripture using power and dominion over it.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
And treadeth upon the waves - This is a very majestic image. God not only walks upon the waters, but when the sea runs mountains high, he steps from billow to billow in his almighty and essential majesty. There is a similar sentiment in David, Psa 29:10 : "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever." But both are far outdone by the Psalmist, Psa 18:9-15, and especially in these words, Psa 18:10, He did fly on the wings of the wind. Job is great, but in every respect David is greater.

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²⁶ And [2532] when the disciples [3101] saw [1492] him [846] walking [4043] on [1909] the sea [2281], they were troubled [5015], saying [3004] [3754], It is [2076] a spirit [5326]; and [2532] they cried out [2896] for [575] fear [5401].

¹³ For, lo, he that formeth [03335] the mountains [02022], and createth [01254] the wind [07307], and declareth [05046] unto man [0120] what is his thought [07808], that maketh [06213] the morning [07837] darkness [05890], and treadeth [01869] upon the high places [01116] of the earth [0776], The LORD [03068], The God [0430] of hosts [06635], is his name [08034].

²⁹ Happy [0835] art thou, O Israel [03478]: who is like unto thee, O people [05971] saved [03467] by the LORD [03068], the shield [04043] of thy help [05828], and who is the sword [02719] of thy excellency [01346]! and thine enemies [0341] shall be found liars [03584] unto thee; and thou shalt tread [01869] upon their high places [01116].

⁹ He bowed [05186] the heavens [08064] also, and came down [03381]: and darkness [06205] was under his feet [07272].

² Who coverest [05844] thyself with light [0216] as with a garment [08008]: who stretchest out [05186] the heavens [08064] like a curtain [03407]:

²² It is he that sitteth [03427] upon the circle [02329] of the earth [0776], and the inhabitants [03427] thereof are as grasshoppers [02284]; that stretcheth out [05186] the heavens [08064] as a curtain [01852], and spreadeth them out [04969] as a tent [0168] to dwell in [03427]:

²⁵ And [1161] in the fourth [5067] watch [5438] of the night [3571] Jesus [2424] went [565] unto [4314] them [846], walking [4043] on [1909] the sea [2281].

¹⁰ Who giveth [05414] rain [04306] upon [06440] the earth [0776], and sendeth [07971] waters [04325] upon [06440] the fields [02351]:

³¹ Canst thou bind [07194] the sweet influences [04575] of Pleiades [03598], or loose [06605] the bands [04189] of Orion [03685]?

³² Canst thou bring forth [03318] Mazzaroth [04216] in his season [06256]? or canst thou guide [05148] Arcturus [05906] with his sons [01121]?

¹⁵ Thou didst walk [01869] through the sea [03220] with thine horses [05483], through the heap [02563] of great [07227] waters [04325].

²⁶ They mount up [05927] to the heaven [08064], they go down [03381] again to the depths [08415]: their soul [05315] is melted [04127] because of trouble [07451].

¹⁴ I will ascend [05927] above the heights [01116] of the clouds [05645]; I will be like [01819] the most High [05945].

¹ And [2532] he shewed [1166] me [3427] a pure [2513] river [4215] of water [5204] of life [2222], clear [2986] as [5613] crystal [2930], proceeding [1607] out of [1537] the throne [2362] of God [2316] and [2532] of the Lamb [721].

² And [2532] I saw [1492] as it were [5613] a sea [2281] of glass [5193] mingled [3396] with fire [4442]: and [2532] them that had gotten the victory [3528] over [1537] the beast [2342], and [2532] over [1537] his [846] image [1504], and [2532] over [1537] his [846] mark [5480], and over [1537] the number [706] of his [846] name [3686], stand [2476] on [1909] the sea [2281] of glass [5193], having [2192] the harps [2788] of God [2316].

⁶ And [2532] before [1799] the throne [2362] there was a sea [2281] of glass [5193] like [3664] unto crystal [2930]: and [2532] in [1722] the midst [3319] of the throne [2362], and [2532] round about [2945] the throne [2362], were four [5064] beasts [2226] full [1073] of eyes [3788] before [1715] and [2532] behind [3693].

³⁰ Behold, he spreadeth [06566] his light [0216] upon it, and covereth [03680] the bottom [08328] of the sea [03220].

⁸ Which alone spreadeth out [05186] the heavens [08064], and treadeth [01869] upon the waves [01116] of the sea [03220].

²⁴ Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], thy redeemer [01350], and he that formed [03335] thee from the womb [0990], I am the LORD [03068] that maketh [06213] all things; that stretcheth forth [05186] the heavens [08064] alone; that spreadeth abroad [07554] the earth [0776] by myself;

² Who coverest [05844] thyself with light [0216] as with a garment [08008]: who stretchest out [05186] the heavens [08064] like a curtain [03407]:

¹⁰ And he rode [07392] upon a cherub [03742], and did fly [05774]: yea, he did fly [01675] upon the wings [03671] of the wind [07307].

⁸ Which alone spreadeth out [05186] the heavens [08064], and treadeth [01869] upon the waves [01116] of the sea [03220].

¹⁰ And he rode [07392] upon a cherub [03742], and did fly [05774]: yea, he did fly [01675] upon the wings [03671] of the wind [07307].

⁹ He bowed [05186] the heavens [08064] also, and came down [03381]: and darkness [06205] was under his feet [07272].
¹⁰ And he rode [07392] upon a cherub [03742], and did fly [05774]: yea, he did fly [01675] upon the wings [03671] of the wind [07307].
¹¹ He made [07896] darkness [02822] his secret place [05643]; his pavilion [05521] round about [05439] him were dark [02824] waters [04325] and thick clouds [05645] of the skies [07834].
¹² At the brightness [05051] that was before him his thick clouds [05645] passed [05674], hail [01259] stones and coals [01513] of fire [0784].
¹³ The LORD [03068] also thundered [07481] in the heavens [08064], and the Highest [05945] gave [05414] his voice [06963]; hail [01259] stones and coals [01513] of fire [0784].
¹⁴ Yea, he sent out [07971] his arrows [02671], and scattered [06327] them; and he shot out [07232] lightnings [01300], and discomfited [02000] them.
¹⁵ Then the channels [0650] of waters [04325] were seen [07200], and the foundations [04146] of the world [08398] were discovered [01540] at thy rebuke [01606], O LORD [03068], at the blast [05397] of the breath [07307] of thy nostrils [0639].

¹⁰ The LORD [03068] sitteth [03427] upon the flood [03999]; yea, the LORD [03068] sitteth [03427] King [04428] for ever [05769].