◄ Job 26:13 ►
By His breath the skies were cleared; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
Study Bible
By His breath
The Hebrew word for "breath" here is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can also mean "spirit" or "wind." This term is often used in the Old Testament to denote the life-giving and sustaining power of God. In Genesis 1:2, the "Spirit of God" (ruach Elohim) is described as hovering over the waters during creation. This phrase in Job emphasizes God's sovereign power and creative authority, suggesting that the very breath of God is capable of ordering the cosmos and bringing clarity and order to the skies. It is a reminder of the divine force that animates and sustains all of creation.

the skies were cleared
The Hebrew word for "skies" is "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim), which can refer to the heavens or the firmament. The clearing of the skies implies the removal of chaos and disorder, a theme prevalent in ancient Near Eastern creation narratives where deities establish order from chaos. In the biblical context, this reflects God's ability to bring peace and clarity to the universe, reinforcing His role as the ultimate Creator who maintains the order of the natural world.

His hand
The "hand" of God is a metaphor frequently used in Scripture to denote His power and action. In Hebrew, "hand" is "יָד" (yad), symbolizing strength, control, and intervention. The use of "hand" here underscores God's active involvement in the world, not as a distant deity but as one who directly engages with His creation. It is a powerful image of divine authority and capability, suggesting that God's interventions are both deliberate and effective.

pierced
The verb "pierced" in Hebrew is "חָלַל" (chalal), which can mean to wound or to penetrate. This action signifies a decisive and victorious act, often associated with overcoming opposition or chaos. In the context of this verse, it highlights God's triumph over forces that oppose His order and righteousness. It is a vivid depiction of God's ability to conquer and subdue any entity that stands against His divine will.

the fleeing serpent
The "fleeing serpent" is a reference to ancient mythological creatures often associated with chaos and evil. In Hebrew, the word for serpent is "נָחָשׁ" (nachash), and it is sometimes linked to Leviathan, a sea monster mentioned in other parts of the Bible (e.g., Isaiah 27:1). This imagery draws from ancient Near Eastern mythology where serpents or dragons symbolize chaos and disorder. In the biblical narrative, God's piercing of the serpent represents His ultimate victory over chaos and evil, affirming His supreme authority over all creation. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's protective and redemptive power, assuring believers of His ability to overcome any adversarial force.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man known for his patience and faithfulness amidst suffering. Job is responding to his friends, defending his understanding of God's power and majesty.

2. God
The Creator, whose power and wisdom are being extolled by Job. God is depicted as the one who orders the cosmos and subdues chaos.

3. The Skies
Represents the heavens or the firmament, which God has ordered and cleared by His breath, signifying His control over creation.

4. The Fleeing Serpent
Often interpreted as a symbol of chaos or evil, possibly referring to mythological creatures like Leviathan, which God has power over.

5. Creation
The act of God bringing order and beauty to the universe, demonstrating His sovereignty and authority over all things.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
God's breath symbolizes His life-giving and sustaining power. Just as He cleared the skies, He can bring order to our lives.

Victory Over Chaos and Evil
The imagery of God piercing the fleeing serpent reassures believers of His ultimate victory over evil. We can trust in His power to overcome the chaos in our lives.

The Majesty of God's Creation
Reflect on the beauty and order of creation as a testament to God's wisdom and power. This should inspire awe and worship in our hearts.

Trust in God's Control
In times of personal chaos or uncertainty, remember that God is in control. His hand is mighty to save and deliver.

The Breath of God in Our Lives
Just as God's breath cleared the skies, His Spirit can renew and transform us. Seek His presence for guidance and strength.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty over creation impact your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can you see God's hand at work in bringing order to the chaos in your personal life?

3. How does the imagery of God piercing the fleeing serpent encourage you in your spiritual battles?

4. What aspects of creation inspire you to worship God, and how can you incorporate this into your daily life?

5. How can you seek the breath of God, His Spirit, to bring renewal and clarity to your spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1
The creation account where God brings order to chaos, similar to how His breath clears the skies in Job 26:13.

Psalm 33:6
Speaks of the heavens being made by the word of the Lord, paralleling the idea of God's breath in Job 26:13.

Isaiah 27:1
Mentions the Lord punishing Leviathan, the fleeing serpent, which connects to the imagery of God piercing the fleeing serpent in Job 26:13.

Revelation 12:9
Describes the dragon, often associated with Satan, being cast down, which can be seen as a continuation of God's victory over chaos and evil.
Sermons
Praises of the EternalE. Johnson Job 26:1-14
The Transcendent Greatness of GodHomilistJob 26:1-14
The Divine Ways But Partially RevealedR. Green Job 26:6-14
People
Abaddon, Job, Rahab
Places
Uz
Topics
Adorned, Beautified, Breath, Bright, Cleared, Crooked, Cut, Fair, Fleeing, Formed, Garnished, Gliding, Heavens, Moving, Pierced, Quickly, Serene, Serpent, Skies, Slant, Snake, Spirit, Swift, Wind
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 26:13

     1265   hand of God
     3015   Holy Spirit, divinity
     3266   Holy Spirit, in creation
     3290   Holy Spirit, life-giver
     3296   Holy Spirit, in the world
     4026   world, God's creation
     4804   breath
     4854   weather, God's sovereignty

Library
Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The Principle of Life in the Creature.
"By His Spirit He hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent."-- Job xxvi. 13. We have seen that the work of the Holy Spirit consists in leading all creation to its destiny, the final purpose of which is the glory of God. However, God's glory in creation appears in various degrees and ways. An insect and a star, the mildew on the wall and the cedar on Lebanon, a common laborer and a man like Augustine, are all the creatures of God; yet how dissimilar they are, and how varied …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Whether Fear Remains in Heaven
Whether Fear Remains in Heaven We proceed to the eleventh article thus: 1. It seems that fear does not remain in heaven. For it is said in Prov. 1:33: " . . . shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil," and this is to be understood as referring to those who already enjoy wisdom in eternal blessedness. Now all fear is fear of evil, since evil is the object of fear, as was said in Arts. 2 and 5, and in 12ae, Q. 42, Art. 1. There will therefore be no fear in heaven. 2. Again, in heaven …
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether the virtues of Heaven Will be Moved when Our Lord Shall Come?
Objection 1: It would seem that the virtues of heaven will not be moved when our Lord shall come. For the virtues of heaven can de. note only the blessed angels. Now immobility is essential to blessedness. Therefore it will be impossible for them to be moved. Objection 2: Further, ignorance is the cause of wonder (Metaph. i, 2). Now ignorance, like fear, is far from the angels, for as Gregory says (Dial. iv, 33; Moral. ii, 3), "what do they not see, who see Him Who sees all." Therefore it will be …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Wisdom is the Greatest of the Intellectual virtues?
Objection 1: It would seem that wisdom is not the greatest of the intellectual virtues. Because the commander is greater than the one commanded. Now prudence seems to command wisdom, for it is stated in Ethic. i, 2 that political science, which belongs to prudence (Ethic. vi, 8), "orders that sciences should be cultivated in states, and to which of these each individual should devote himself, and to what extent." Since, then, wisdom is one of the sciences, it seems that prudence is greater than wisdom. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Power of the Holy Ghost
We shall look at the power of the Holy Ghost in three ways this morning. First, the outward and visible displays of it; second, the inward and spiritual manifestations of it; and third, the future and expected works thereof. The power of the Spirit will thus, I trust, be made clearly present to your souls. I. First, then, we are to view the power of the Spirit in the OUTWARD AND VISIBLE DISPLAYS OF IT. The power of the Sprit has not been dormant; it has exerted itself. Much has been done by the Spirit …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

That the Self-Existent Being must be All-Powerful.
The self-existent being, the supreme cause of all things, must of necessity have infinite power.--This proposition is evident, and undeniable. For since nothing (as has been already proved,) can possibly be self-existent, besides himself; and consequently all things in the universe were made by him, and are entirely dependent upon him; and all the powers of all things are derived from him, and must therefore be perfectly subject and subordinate to him; it is manifest that nothing can make any difficulty …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Host of Heaven and of Earth.
"The Spirit of God hath made me."--Job xxxiii. 4. Understanding somewhat the characteristic note of the work of the Holy Spirit, let us see what this work was and is and shall be. The Father brings forth, the Son disposes and arranges, the Holy Spirit perfects. There is one God and Father of whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom are all things; but what does the Scripture say of the special work the Holy Spirit did in creation and is still doing? For the sake of order we examine …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

God Incomprehensible and Sovereign.
1 Can creatures to perfection find [1] Th' eternal uncreated mind? Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out? 2 'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell, And what can mortals know or tell? His glory spreads beyond the sky, And all the shining worlds on high. 3 But man, vain man, would fain be wise, Born like a wild young colt he flies Thro' all the follies of his mind, And swells and snuffs the empty wind. 4 God is a King of power unknown, Firm are the orders of his throne; …
Isaac Watts—Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Christian Perfection
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." Phil. 3:12. 1. There is scarce any expression in Holy Writ which has given more offence than this. The word perfect is what many cannot bear. The very sound of it is an abomination to them. And whosoever preaches perfection (as the phrase is,) that is, asserts that it is attainable in this life, runs great hazard of being accounted by them worse than a heathen man or a publican. 2. And hence some have advised, wholly to lay aside …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Of Creation
Heb. xi. 3.--"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."--Gen. i. 1. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." We are come down from the Lord's purposes and decrees to the execution of them, which is partly in the works of creation and partly in the works of providence. The Lord having resolved upon it to manifest his own glory did in that due and predeterminate time apply his …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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