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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 38:8 Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/38-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/18_Job_38_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 38:8 - God Challenges Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.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/38-7.htm" title="Job 38:7">◄</a> Job 38:8 <a href="/job/38-9.htm" title="Job 38:9">►</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 />&#8220Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or <i>who</i> shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, <i>as if</i> it had issued out of the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Or <i>who</i> shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth <i>and</i> issued from the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Or <i>who</i> enclosed the sea with doors When it went out from the womb, bursting forth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Or <i>who</i> enclosed the sea with doors, When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Or <i>who</i> enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Or who enclosed the sea with doors When it burst forth and went out of the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst from the womb, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Or who shut up the sea with doors, When it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the ocean was born, I set its boundaries <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Who shut the sea behind gates when it burst through and came out of the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Who closed the gates to hold back the sea when it burst from the womb of the earth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Who enclosed the sea with limits when it gushed out of the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Who shut up the sea with doors when it burst forth, coming out of the womb, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke out of the womb, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He shuts up the sea with doors, "" In its coming forth, it goes out from the womb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He shutteth up with doors the sea, In its coming forth, from the womb it goeth out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will hedge in the sea with doors in its breaking forth, going forth from the womb.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth as issuing out of the womb : <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea with doors, when it broke forth as if issuing from the womb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?—<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or who shut up the sea with gates, when it broke forth as if it had issued out of the womb?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he shut the doors of the sea and it gushed out from the womb and it brought forth<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Or who shut up the sea with doors, When it broke forth, and issued out of the womb;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I shut up the sea with gates, when it rushed out, coming forth out its mother's womb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/38-8.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=5900" 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">7</span>while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5526.htm" title="5526: way·yā·seḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or sakak; a primitive root; properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, protect.">Who enclosed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: yām (N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">the sea</a> <a href="/hebrew/1817.htm" title="1817: biḏ·lā·ṯa·yim (Prep-b:: N-fd) -- A door. From dalah; something swinging, i.e. The valve of a door.">behind doors</a> <a href="/hebrew/1518.htm" title="1518: bə·ḡî·ḥōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To burst forth. Or goach; a primitive root; to gush forth, generally to issue.">when it burst forth</a> <a href="/hebrew/7358.htm" title="7358: mê·re·ḥem (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Womb. From racham; the womb.">from the womb,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yê·ṣê (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim."></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket,…<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/104-6.htm">Psalm 104:6-9</a></span><br />You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. / At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— / the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Proverbs 8:29</a></span><br />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="/jeremiah/5-22.htm">Jeremiah 5:22</a></span><br />Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9-10</a></span><br />And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so. / God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of waters He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-7.htm">Psalm 33:7</a></span><br />He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Isaiah 40:12</a></span><br />Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-9.htm">Psalm 89:9</a></span><br />You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/93-4.htm">Psalm 93:4</a></span><br />Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Psalm 74:13-14</a></span><br />You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; / You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-15.htm">Isaiah 51:15</a></span><br />For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a></span><br />Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/1-9.htm">Jonah 1:9</a></span><br />“I am a Hebrew,” replied Jonah. “I worship the LORD, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-26.htm">Matthew 8:26-27</a></span><br />“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-24.htm">Luke 8:24-25</a></span><br />The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?</p><p class="hdg">who</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-10.htm">Job 38:10</a></b></br> And brake up for it my decreed <i>place</i>, and set bars and doors,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9</a></b></br> And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry <i>land</i> appear: and it was so.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/33-7.htm">Psalm 33:7</a></b></br> He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.</p><p class="hdg">out</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-29.htm">Job 38:29</a></b></br> Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/31-18.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/job/29-17.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/job/29-17.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/job/32-19.htm">Burst</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/14-11.htm">Bursting</a> <a href="/job/31-34.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Enclosed</a> <a href="/job/37-3.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/esther/9-25.htm">Issued</a> <a href="/revelation/22-1.htm">Issuing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-12.htm">Pushing</a> <a href="/job/36-30.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/job/31-33.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/job/37-10.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/job/16-11.htm">Shutteth</a> <a href="/job/31-18.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/38-21.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/job/38-10.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/job/38-10.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/psalms/2-3.htm">Burst</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-10.htm">Bursting</a> <a href="/job/38-10.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Enclosed</a> <a href="/job/38-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-1.htm">Issued</a> <a href="/revelation/9-18.htm">Issuing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-21.htm">Pushing</a> <a href="/job/38-16.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/job/38-16.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/job/41-15.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Shutteth</a> <a href="/job/38-29.htm">Womb</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>Who enclosed the sea behind doors</b><br>This phrase suggests the act of God setting boundaries for the sea, a concept that reflects His sovereign control over creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sea often symbolized chaos and disorder. By enclosing the sea, God demonstrates His power to bring order out of chaos, a theme that resonates with the creation narrative in <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9-10</a>, where God gathers the waters to reveal dry land. This imagery of "doors" implies a deliberate and protective act, emphasizing God's authority over the natural world. The idea of God setting limits for the sea is also echoed in <a href="/psalms/104-9.htm">Psalm 104:9</a> and <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Proverbs 8:29</a>, reinforcing the notion of divine governance over creation.<p><b>when it burst forth from the womb</b><br>The imagery of the sea bursting forth from the womb evokes the idea of birth and new beginnings. This metaphor highlights the creative power of God, who brings forth life and order from the primordial waters. In the ancient world, the sea was often associated with the unknown and the uncontrollable, yet here it is depicted as being born under God's supervision. This concept can be linked to the creation account in Genesis, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters, bringing forth life and structure. The use of birth imagery also points to the nurturing aspect of God's character, as He not only creates but also sustains and maintains His creation. This phrase can be seen as a type of Christ, who in the New Testament is described as the one through whom all things were made (<a href="/john/1-3.htm">John 1:3</a>) and who has authority over the natural elements, as demonstrated when He calms the storm in <a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The speaker in this passage, God is addressing Job directly, reminding him of His divine power and sovereignty over creation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The recipient of God's discourse, Job is a man who has suffered greatly and is seeking understanding of his suffering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea</a></b><br>Represents the chaotic and powerful forces of nature that God has control over, symbolizing His authority over all creation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a></b><br>The event being referenced, where God established order in the universe, including setting boundaries for the sea.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_womb.htm">The Womb</a></b><br>A metaphorical reference to the origin or beginning of the sea, emphasizing God's role as the Creator.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of all creation, including the chaotic and powerful forces of nature. This should bring comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/creation's_order.htm">Creation's Order</a></b><br>Understand that God has established order in the universe, and His boundaries are purposeful and good. Trust in His design and plan for the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Acknowledge our limited understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom. Approach Him with humility, especially when questioning His ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_power_in_our_lives.htm">God's Power in Our Lives</a></b><br>Just as God controls the sea, He is capable of managing the storms in our lives. Rely on His strength and seek His guidance in difficult times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_creation.htm">Reflecting on Creation</a></b><br>Spend time contemplating the majesty and complexity of God's creation, which can lead to a deeper appreciation of His greatness and inspire worship.<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/is_there_science_behind_job_38_8-11's_sea_limits.htm">In Job 38:8–11, is there any scientific basis for God setting literal boundaries for the sea as described? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_calamities_occur_if_god_controls.htm">If Psalm 93:4 implies God controls natural forces, why do destructive calamities continue to occur without apparent divine intervention? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god_calm_seas_fit_science.htm">(Psalm 65:7) How do we align the idea of God calming oceans with modern scientific understanding of natural weather patterns? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_science_challenge_proverbs_30_4.htm">Proverbs 30:4 speaks of God gathering the wind and establishing Earth’s ends; how does modern science challenge this creation claim? </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 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Or who shut up the sea with doors?</span> From the earth a transition is made to the sea, as the second great wonder in creation (comp. <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9, 10</a>; <a href="/exodus/20-11.htm">Exodus 20:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24, 25</a>). God's might is especially shown in his power to control and confine the sea, which rages so terribly and seems so utterly uncontrollable. God has blocked it in "with doors" - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> with "bounds that it cannot pass, neither turn again to cover the earth" (<a href="/psalms/145-9.htm">Psalm 145:9</a>). Sometimes the barrier is one of lofty and solid rock, which seems well suited to confine and restrain; but sometimes it is no more than a thin streak of sliver sand or a bank of loose, shifting pebbles. Yet, in both cases alike, the restraint suffices. "The sand is placed for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it" (<a href="/jeremiah/5-22.htm">Jeremiah 5:22</a>); the beach of shifting pebbles remains as firm as the rock itself, and never recedes or advances more than a few feet. <span class="cmt_word">When it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> at its birth, when it was first formed, by the gathering together of the waters into one place (see <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/38-8.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">Who enclosed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֣סֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·seḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5526.htm">Strong's 5526: </a> </span><span class="str2">To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sea</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">behind doors</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּדְלָתַ֣יִם</span> <span class="translit">(biḏ·lā·ṯa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1817.htm">Strong's 1817: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something swinging, the valve of a, door</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when it burst forth</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּ֝גִיח֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḡî·ḥōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1518.htm">Strong's 1518: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gush forth, to issue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the womb,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרֶ֥חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·re·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7358.htm">Strong's 7358: </a> </span><span class="str2">The womb </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/38-8.htm">OT Poetry: Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/38-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 38:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 38:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/38-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 38:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 38:9" /></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>