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<!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 38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/38-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/18_Job_38_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 38:4 - God Challenges Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? 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Tell me, if you understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell <i>Me,</i> if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell <i>Me,</i> if you have understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell <i>Me,</i> if you have understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell <i>Me</i>, if you know understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell <i>Me,</i> if you know <i>and</i> have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where were you when I established the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where were you when I established the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How did I lay the foundation for the earth? Were you there? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have [such] insight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Where were you when I laid the foundation of my earth? Tell me, since you're so informed!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Where were you when I founded the earth? Declare, if you have known understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Where wast thou when I founded earth? Declare, if thou hast known understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Where wert thou in my founding the earth? Announce, if thou knewest understanding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I laid up the foundations of the earth ? tell me if thou hast understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Where were you, when I set the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Where were you when I was laying the foundations of the Earth? Show me, if you know understanding<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast the understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Where wast thou when I founded the earth? tell me now, if thou hast knowledge,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/38-4.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=5877" 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">3</span>Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/375.htm" title="375: ’ê·p̄ōh (Interrog) -- Where?. From 'ay and poh; what place?; also when?; or how?.">Where</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yî·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">were you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3245.htm" title="3245: bə·yā·sə·ḏî- (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to set; intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. Settle, consult.">when I laid the foundations</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ā·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the earth?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hag·gêḏ (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">Tell Me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">you have understanding.</a> <a href="/hebrew/998.htm" title="998: ḇî·nāh (N-fs) -- An understanding. From biyn; understanding."></a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?…<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="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Proverbs 8:27-29</a></span><br />I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, / when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, / when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Psalm 104:5</a></span><br />He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21-22</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth? / He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Hebrews 11:3</a></span><br />By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Genesis 1:1-10</a></span><br />In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. / Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. / And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-12.htm">Jeremiah 10:12</a></span><br />The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6-9</a></span><br />By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. / He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses. / Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-12.htm">Isaiah 45:12</a></span><br />It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-25.htm">Psalm 102:25</a></span><br />In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-24.htm">Isaiah 44:24</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a></span><br />In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Nehemiah 9:6</a></span><br />You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a></span><br />For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-11.htm">Psalm 89:11</a></span><br />The heavens are Yours, and also the earth. The earth and its fullness You founded.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.</p><p class="hdg">Where</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Proverbs 8:22,29,30</a></b></br> The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Proverbs 30:4</a></b></br> Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what <i>is</i> his name, and what <i>is</i> his son's name, if thou canst tell?</p><p class="hdg">I</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a></b></br> In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-25.htm">Psalm 102:25</a></b></br> Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens <i>are</i> the work of thy hands.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Psalm 104:5</a></b></br> <i>Who</i> laid the foundations of the earth, <i>that</i> it should not be removed for ever.</p><p class="hdg">hast.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/34-18.htm">Base</a> <a href="/job/38-3.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/37-17.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/12-24.htm">Earth's</a> <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/ezra/7-9.htm">Founded</a> <a href="/job/34-13.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/36-29.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/job/37-5.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/job/15-7.htm">Wast</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/39-8.htm">Base</a> <a href="/job/38-18.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/38-13.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/psalms/65-8.htm">Earth's</a> <a href="/psalms/87-1.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/job/38-6.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/psalms/8-2.htm">Founded</a> <a href="/job/38-6.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/38-20.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/job/38-18.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/job/38-21.htm">Wast</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>Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?</b><br>This phrase is part of God's response to Job, highlighting the vast difference between divine wisdom and human understanding. The "foundations of the earth" metaphorically refer to the creation of the world, emphasizing God's role as the Creator. This echoes <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a>, where God is depicted as the initiator of creation. The imagery of laying foundations suggests stability and order, contrasting with the chaos Job perceives in his life. This question challenges Job's limited perspective and reminds readers of the divine sovereignty and omnipotence. The rhetorical nature of the question underscores human limitations in comprehending the full scope of God's creation.<p><b>Tell Me, if you have understanding.</b><br>This phrase invites Job to reflect on his own knowledge and understanding, which is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom. The challenge to "tell Me" is not just for Job but for all humanity, highlighting the gap between human and divine knowledge. The concept of "understanding" here is linked to wisdom literature, such as <a href="/proverbs/3-19.htm">Proverbs 3:19</a>, which attributes the creation of the world to God's wisdom. This serves as a reminder of the need for humility before God. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>), pointing to the ultimate source of understanding and truth.<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 human 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 Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding and perspective on divine wisdom and power.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_foundations_of_the_earth.htm">The Foundations of the Earth</a></b><br>A metaphorical reference to the creation of the world, emphasizing God's role as the architect and builder of the universe.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_whirlwind.htm">The Whirlwind</a></b><br>The medium through which God speaks to Job, symbolizing divine power and majesty.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_book_of_job.htm">The Book of Job</a></b><br>A poetic and philosophical text in the Old Testament that explores themes of suffering, justice, and the nature of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_wisdom.htm">God's Sovereignty and Wisdom</a></b><br>God's question to Job underscores His unmatched wisdom and authority as the Creator. It reminds us of our limited understanding and the need to trust in His sovereign plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitations.htm">Human Limitations</a></b><br>The rhetorical nature of God's question highlights human limitations in comprehending divine mysteries. We are called to humility and faith in God's greater purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_creation_in_revealing_god.htm">The Role of Creation in Revealing God</a></b><br>The foundations of the earth serve as a testament to God's power and creativity. Observing creation can lead us to a deeper appreciation of His majesty and care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_times_of_suffering.htm">Trust in Times of Suffering</a></b><br>Job's account encourages believers to trust in God's wisdom, even when His ways are beyond our understanding, especially during trials and suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_perspective.htm">The Importance of Perspective</a></b><br>God's response to Job shifts the focus from human suffering to divine perspective, teaching us to seek God's viewpoint in our circumstances.<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/can_it_exist_if_i_don't_understand_it.htm">How can something exist if I can't understand it?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_38_4_align_with_science.htm">How can we reconcile Job 38:4’s claim that God “laid the foundations of the earth” with modern geology and cosmology? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_great_architect.htm">What is the Great Architect of the Universe?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_order_vs._chaos.htm">What does the Bible say about order and chaos?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">Where wast thou?</span>--The comparison of the creation of the world to the building of an edifice is such a concession to the feebleness of man as serves of itself to heighten the effect of the inevitable answer to the question preferred.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?</span> Wast thou present? Didst thou witness it? If not, what canst thou know concerning it? And if thou knowest nothing of creation, what canst thou know of deeper things? The metaphor, by which the creation of the earth is compared to the foundation of an edifice, is a common one (<a href="/psalms/102-25.htm">Psalm 102:25</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Psalm 104:5</a>; <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Proverbs 8:29</a>: <a href="/isaiah/48-13.htm">Isaiah 48:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/51-13.htm">Isaiah 51:13, 16</a>; <a href="/zechariah/12-1.htm">Zechariah 12:1</a>; <a href="/hebrews/1-10.htm">Hebrews 1:10</a>, etc.), and is to be viewed as a concession to human weakness, creation itself, as it actually took place, being inconceivable. Declare, if thou hast understanding. That is, if thou hast any knowledge on the subject (comp. ver. 18). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/38-4.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">Where</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיפֹ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·p̄ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_375.htm">Strong's 375: </a> </span><span class="str2">What place?, when?, how?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were you</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֭יִיתָ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when I laid the foundations</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָסְדִי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·sə·ḏî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3245.htm">Strong's 3245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the earth?</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Tell [Me],</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֝גֵּ֗ד</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have understanding.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֥עְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine 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/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/38-4.htm">OT Poetry: Job 38:4 Where were you when I laid (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/38-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 38:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 38:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/38-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 38:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 38:5" /></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>