CINXE.COM

<!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 38:3 Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/38-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/18_Job_38_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 38:3 - God Challenges Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/38-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/38-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/38.htm">Chapter 38</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" 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/38-2.htm" title="Job 38:2">◄</a> Job 38:3 <a href="/job/38-4.htm" title="Job 38:4">►</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 />Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man, And I shall ask you, and you inform Me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you make Me know!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question you, you will inform me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Get ready to answer Me like a man; when I question you, you will inform Me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Now get ready to face me! Can you answer the questions I ask? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Brace yourself like a man! I will ask you, and you will teach me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Stand up like a man! I'll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Now gird your loins as a man, "" And I ask you, and you cause Me to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Gird, I pray thee, as a man, thy loins, And I ask thee, and cause thou Me to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Gird now thy loins as a man; and I will ask thee, and make thou known to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Gird up thy loins like a man : I will ask thee, and answer thou me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Gird your waist like a man. I will question you, and you must answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Gird up your loins now, like a man; I will question you, and you tell me the answers! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Gird up your loins now, like a valiant man; for I will question you, and you shall answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Wrap your garment now on your loins as a mighty man. I shall ask you; teach me!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Gird thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/38-3.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=5870" 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">2</span>“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge? <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/247.htm" title="247: ’ĕ·zār- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To gird, encompass, equip. A primitive root; to belt.">brace</a> <a href="/hebrew/2504.htm" title="2504: ḥă·lā·ṣe·ḵā (N-mdc:: 2ms) -- Loins. From chalats; only in the dual; the loins.">yourself</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: ḵə·ḡe·ḇer (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">like a man;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: wə·’eš·’ā·lə·ḵā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.h-1cs:: 2ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">I will question you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">and you shall inform Me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.…<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="/job/40-7.htm">Job 40:7</a></span><br />“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4</a></span><br />You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-7.htm">Isaiah 50:7</a></span><br />Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-17.htm">Jeremiah 1:17</a></span><br />Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">1 Kings 18:46</a></span><br />And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-17.htm">Proverbs 31:17</a></span><br />She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">Isaiah 45:5</a></span><br />I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm">Ezekiel 2:6</a></span><br />But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-8.htm">Ezekiel 3:8-9</a></span><br />Behold, I will make your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. / I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-13.htm">1 Peter 1:13</a></span><br />Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-14.htm">Ephesians 6:14</a></span><br />Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-35.htm">Luke 12:35</a></span><br />Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-13.htm">1 Corinthians 16:13</a></span><br />Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-7.htm">2 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-12.htm">Hebrews 12:12</a></span><br />Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me.</p><p class="hdg">Gird</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-7.htm">Job 40:7</a></b></br> Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-11.htm">Exodus 12:11</a></b></br> And thus shall ye eat it; <i>with</i> your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it <i>is</i> the LORD'S passover.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">1 Kings 18:46</a></b></br> And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.</p><p class="hdg">for</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-15.htm">Job 13:15,22</a></b></br> Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3-7</a></b></br> Oh that I knew where I might find him! <i>that</i> I might come <i>even</i> to his seat! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35-37</a></b></br> Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire <i>is, that</i> the Almighty would answer me, and <i>that</i> mine adversary had written a book… </p><p class="hdg">answer thou me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/34-36.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/nahum/2-1.htm">Brace</a> <a href="/job/37-24.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/34-34.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/17-3.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/job/30-18.htm">Gird</a> <a href="/job/12-8.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/job/27-11.htm">Instruct</a> <a href="/job/31-20.htm">Loins</a> <a href="/job/21-29.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/31-14.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/job/37-23.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/job/34-15.htm">Together</a> <a href="/job/30-12.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/40-7.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Brace</a> <a href="/job/38-26.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/38-4.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Gird</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/job/40-2.htm">Instruct</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Loins</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/job/39-11.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/job/38-7.htm">Together</a> <a href="/job/38-23.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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>Now brace yourself like a man;</b><br>This phrase is a divine command from God to Job, indicating a shift in the dialogue. The term "brace yourself" suggests preparation for a challenge or confrontation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this would imply readiness for a serious discussion or battle. The phrase "like a man" emphasizes maturity and responsibility, calling Job to respond with courage and integrity. This echoes the cultural expectation of men to face trials with strength, as seen in other biblical figures like David (<a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">1 Samuel 17:45</a>) and Joshua (<a href="/joshua/1-9.htm">Joshua 1:9</a>).<p><b>I will question you,</b><br>God's intention to question Job highlights the theme of divine wisdom versus human understanding. Throughout the Book of Job, Job has questioned God's justice and governance. Here, God turns the tables, emphasizing His sovereignty and the limitations of human knowledge. This questioning is not merely for information but serves to reveal deeper truths about God's creation and order, similar to the rhetorical questions found in <a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Isaiah 40:12-14</a>, which underscore God's unmatched wisdom.<p><b>and you shall inform Me.</b><br>This phrase is ironic, as it underscores the futility of human attempts to fully comprehend divine mysteries. Job, despite his righteousness, lacks the perspective to inform God, who is omniscient. This interaction is reminiscent of God's dialogues with other biblical figures, such as Moses (<a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11-14</a>) and Jonah (<a href="/jonah/4-9.htm">Jonah 4:9-11</a>), where God uses questions to teach and reveal His character. Theologically, this points to the need for humility before God, acknowledging that human wisdom is limited compared to divine insight, as echoed in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding and perspective on divine wisdom and justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/whirlwind.htm">Whirlwind</a></b><br>The medium through which God speaks to Job, symbolizing God's power and majesty.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/friends_of_job.htm">Friends of Job</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, but are ultimately corrected by God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, a region that is not precisely identified but is traditionally considered to be in the area of Edom or northern Arabia.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_limitations.htm">Understanding Our Limitations</a></b><br>Recognize that human understanding is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom. <a href="/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3</a> challenges us to acknowledge our finite perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, ready to listen and learn rather than question His purposes. This verse calls us to "brace ourselves" for divine instruction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering.htm">The Role of Suffering</a></b><br>Consider how suffering can lead to deeper insights into God's character and our own faith. Job's trials ultimately bring him closer to understanding God's majesty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances are beyond our comprehension. <a href="/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3</a> reminds us that God is in control and His ways are higher than ours.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparedness_for_divine_encounter.htm">Preparedness for Divine Encounter</a></b><br>Be spiritually prepared for encounters with God, as Job is instructed to "brace himself." This involves readiness to receive God's word and respond in faith.<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/how_does_job_3_align_with_god's_justice.htm">How can Job's complaint in Job 3 align with a just and sovereign God, if he questions the value of his own birth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_exist.htm">Does God exist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_appear_silent_or_absent.htm">Why does God appear silent or absent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_doubting_god.htm">What is questioning God's actions or existence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Gird up now thy loins like a man</span>. Job had desired to contend with God, to plead with him, and argue out his case (<a href="/job/9-32.htm">Job 9:32-35</a>; <a href="/job/13-3.htm">Job 13:3, 18-22</a>; <a href="/job/23-4.htm">Job 23:4-7</a>; <a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35</a>). God now offers to grant his request, and bids him stand forth "as a man'" and "gird himself" for the contest, which he has challenged. <span class="cmt_word">For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me</span>. He will begin with interrogatories which Job must answer; then Job will be entitled to put questions to him. Job, however, on the opportunity being given him, shrinks back, and says, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken: but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further" (<a href="/job/40-4.htm">Job 40:4, 5</a>). The confident boldness which he felt when God seemed far off disappears in his presence, and is replaced by diffidence and distrust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/38-3.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">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brace</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱזָר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·zār-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_247.htm">Strong's 247: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gird, encompass, equip</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yourself</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·lā·ṣe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2504.htm">Strong's 2504: </a> </span><span class="str2">The loins</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a man;</span><br /><span class="heb">כְגֶ֣בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḵə·ḡe·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will question you,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eš·’ā·lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and you shall inform Me!</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/38-3.htm">OT Poetry: Job 38:3 Brace yourself like a man for (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/38-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 38:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 38:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/38-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 38:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 38:4" /></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>