Job 38:33 Meaning and Explanation
“Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God asks whether Job knows the fixed laws of the heavens or can establish their rule over the earth.
What Does Job 38:33 Mean?
God asks whether Job understands the ordinances, the fixed laws, that govern the heavens, and whether he can establish their rule over the earth. The order linking sky and land was set by God and is known fully by him alone.
Creation runs by laws Job did not write and only dimly perceives. To know the ordinances of heaven belongs to the Creator. This humbles human pride, yet it also assures us that the universe is lawful and dependable, upheld by a wisdom we can rest in. We need not understand all the ordinances to trust the One who ordained them and holds them firm.
Job 38:33 in the Original Language
choq (חֹק), 'ordinance' -- a fixed statute or decreed law established by God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 38:33
What does Job 38:33 mean?
God asks whether Job knows the fixed laws of the heavens or can establish their rule over the earth.