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Job 38:23 which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 38:23 which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/38-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/18_Job_38_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 38:23 - God Challenges Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/38-22.htm" title="Job 38:22">◄</a> Job 38:23 <a href="/job/38-24.htm" title="Job 38:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/38.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />(I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Which I have reserved for a time of distress, For a day of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Which I have reserved for the time of distress, For the day of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Which I have reserved for the time of distress, For the day of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Which I have reserved for the time of distress, For the day of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of warfare and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of warfare and battle? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />until I use them to punish and conquer nations? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />that I have stored up for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I keep them ready for times of trouble, for days of battle and war. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />which I've reserved for the tribulation to come, for the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />which I reserve for the time of trouble, for the day of war and battle? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />That I have kept back for a time of distress, "" For a day of conflict and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> That I have kept back for a time of distress, For a day of conflict and battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Which I kept back for the time of straits, for the day of encounter and war?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Which I have prepared for the time of the enemy, against the day of battle and war? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />which I have prepared for the time of the enemy, for the day of the battle and the war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Which I have reserved for times of distress, for a day of war and battle? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Which are reserved against the time of distress, against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Which are kept for the time of trouble and the day of conflict of war?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And is there a store <i>of them</i>, for thee against the time of <i>thine</i> enemies, for the day of wars and battle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/38-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=5982" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm">God Challenges Job</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">which</a> <a href="/hebrew/2820.htm" title="2820: ḥā·śaḵ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To withhold, refrain. A primitive root; to restrain or Refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; also to observe.">I hold in reserve</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: lə·‘eṯ- (Prep-l:: N-csc) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">for times</a> <a href="/hebrew/6862.htm" title="6862: ṣār (Adj-ms) -- Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent. Or tsar; from tsarar; narrow; a tight place; also a pebble; an opponent.">of trouble,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: lə·yō·wm (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">for the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/7128.htm" title="7128: qə·rāḇ (N-ms) -- A battle, war. From qarab; hostile encounter.">of war</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: ū·mil·ḥā·māh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">and battle?</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>In which direction is the lightning dispersed, or the east wind scattered over the earth?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-7.htm">Psalm 135:7</a></span><br />He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-13.htm">Jeremiah 10:13</a></span><br />When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-16.htm">Jeremiah 51:16</a></span><br />When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Isaiah 30:30</a></span><br />And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-6.htm">Isaiah 29:6</a></span><br />you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Nahum 1:3</a></span><br />The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/148-8.htm">Psalm 148:8</a></span><br />lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Proverbs 30:4</a></span><br />Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-5.htm">Isaiah 13:5</a></span><br />They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-15.htm">Isaiah 41:15-16</a></span><br />Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-21.htm">Revelation 16:21</a></span><br />And great hailstones weighing almost a hundred pounds each rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a></span><br />For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-24.htm">Luke 17:24</a></span><br />For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/8-7.htm">Revelation 8:7</a></span><br />Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-19.htm">Revelation 11:19</a></span><br />Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/36-31.htm">Job 36:31</a></b></br> For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/36-13.htm">Job 36:13</a></b></br> But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/9-18.htm">Exodus 9:18,24</a></b></br> Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/15-24.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-1.htm">Conflict</a> <a href="/job/36-19.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-22.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/job/38-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/job/20-26.htm">Reserve</a> <a href="/job/21-30.htm">Reserved</a> <a href="/job/36-15.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/33-29.htm">Times</a> <a href="/job/36-15.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/job/38-3.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/39-25.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">Conflict</a> <a href="/psalms/4-1.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/55-9.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/psalms/17-4.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-2.htm">Reserve</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-11.htm">Reserved</a> <a href="/job/38-32.htm">Time</a> <a href="/psalms/5-11.htm">Times</a> <a href="/psalms/2-5.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/job/39-22.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Job 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/38-1.htm">God challenges Job to answer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/38-4.htm">God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/38-31.htm">and weakness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>which I hold in reserve</b><br>This phrase indicates God's sovereign control and foreknowledge. The imagery of holding something in reserve suggests preparation and intentionality. In the context of Job, God is speaking to Job out of the whirlwind, emphasizing His omnipotence and wisdom. The idea of God holding things in reserve is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/45-7.htm">Isaiah 45:7</a>, where God declares His control over both peace and calamity. This demonstrates that nothing occurs outside of God's sovereign plan.<p><b>for times of trouble</b><br>The "times of trouble" can be understood as periods of divine judgment or testing. Throughout the Bible, God uses times of trouble to accomplish His purposes, such as refining His people or bringing about repentance. In the historical context of Israel, times of trouble often came as a result of disobedience, leading to invasions or exiles. This phrase can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate time of trouble described in eschatological passages like <a href="/daniel/12.htm">Daniel 12:1</a> and <a href="/matthew/24.htm">Matthew 24</a>, where God’s intervention is necessary for deliverance.<p><b>for the day of war and battle?</b><br>This phrase highlights God's control over warfare and conflict. In ancient Near Eastern culture, battles were often seen as not just physical conflicts but spiritual ones, where the gods of the nations were believed to be at war. The Bible consistently portrays God as the ultimate warrior, as seen in <a href="/exodus/15-3.htm">Exodus 15:3</a>, "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name." This phrase also points to the prophetic "day of the Lord," a time of divine intervention and judgment, as seen in passages like <a href="/joel/2.htm">Joel 2:1-11</a> and <a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-21</a>, where Christ is depicted as the conquering King.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and questions God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator, who responds to Job out of the whirlwind, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/heavenly_storehouses.htm">Heavenly Storehouses</a></b><br>Metaphorical places where God stores elements of creation, such as snow and hail, for His purposes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/times_of_trouble.htm">Times of Trouble</a></b><br>Periods of difficulty or distress, often used by God to fulfill His divine plans.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/day_of_war_and_battle.htm">Day of War and Battle</a></b><br>Times of conflict where God's power and judgment are demonstrated.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Creation</a></b><br>God controls all elements of nature, using them according to His divine will and purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_in_times_of_trouble.htm">Purpose in Times of Trouble</a></b><br>Difficult times are not random; they are part of God's plan and can serve to fulfill His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_spiritual_battles.htm">Preparation for Spiritual Battles</a></b><br>Just as God reserves elements for physical battles, believers should be spiritually prepared for challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>God's timing is perfect, and His reserves are used at the right moment for His glory and our good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_power_in_judgment.htm">Recognizing God's Power in Judgment</a></b><br>God's use of creation in judgment reminds us of His ultimate authority and the seriousness of sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_trials.htm">What does the Bible say about trials and tribulations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_pilate_hesitant_to_sentence_jesus.htm">Why does Pilate, a known ruthless governor, appear unusually hesitant in sentencing Jesus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_remain_loyal_to_saul.htm">Why did David remain loyal to Saul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_14_1-2_conflict_with_promises.htm">Does Job 14:1-2's portrayal of life as short and full of trouble conflict with biblical passages that promise long life and blessings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/38.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">The time of trouble.</span>--As was the case with the Canaanites, in <a href="/joshua/10-11.htm" title="And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven on them to Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.">Joshua 10:11</a>. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/18-13.htm" title="The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.">Psalm 18:13</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Which I have reserved against the time of trouble</span>. Hail is reckoned throughout Scripture as one of the ministers of the Divine vengeance (see <a href="/exodus/9-18.htm">Exodus 9:18-29</a>; <a href="/exodus/10-5.htm">Exodus 10:5-15</a>; <a href="/joshua/10-11.htm">Joshua 10:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Psalm 18:12, 13</a>; <a href="/psalms/78-47.htm">Psalm 78:47, 48</a>; <a href="/psalms/105-32.htm">Psalm 105:32</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Isaiah 30:30</a>; <a href="/isaiah/32-19.htm">Isaiah 32:19</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/13-11.htm">Ezekiel 13:11, 13</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/36-22.htm">Ezekiel 36:22</a>; <a href="/haggai/2-17.htm">Haggai 2:17</a>; <a href="/revelation/8-7.htm">Revelation 8:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/11-19.htm">Revelation 11:19</a>; <a href="/revelation/16-21.htm">Revelation 16:21</a>). Its destructive effect upon crops, even in temperate latitudes, is indicated by the insurances against damage from hail, which, even in our own country, so many farmers think it worth their while to pay. In tropical and semi-tropical regions the injury caused by hailstorms is far greater. <span class="cmt_word">Against the day of battle and war</span>. Compare especially <a href="/joshua/10-11.htm">Joshua 10:11</a>, which, however, we need not suppose to have been in the mind of the writer. In ancient times, when the bow held the place in war which is now occupied by the rifle or the musket, a heavy hailstorm, striking full in the face of the combatants on one side, while it only fell on the backs of their adversaries, must of tea have decided a battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/38-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">which</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I hold in reserve</span><br /><span class="heb">חָשַׂ֥כְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·śaḵ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2820.htm">Strong's 2820: </a> </span><span class="str2">To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for times</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of trouble,</span><br /><span class="heb">צָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(ṣār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6862.htm">Strong's 6862: </a> </span><span class="str2">Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the day</span><br /><span class="heb">לְי֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of war</span><br /><span class="heb">קְ֝רָ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(qə·rāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7128.htm">Strong's 7128: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hostile encounter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and battle?</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִלְחָמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/38-23.htm">Job 38:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/38-23.htm">OT Poetry: Job 38:23 Which I have reserved against the time (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/38-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 38:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 38:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/38-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 38:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 38:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>