Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. New Living Translation As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. English Standard Version It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. Berean Standard Bible The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. King James Bible It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. New King James Version It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment. New American Standard Bible “It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand out like a garment. NASB 1995 “It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like a garment. NASB 1977 “It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like a garment. Legacy Standard Bible It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like clothing. Amplified Bible “The earth is changed like clay into which a seal is pressed; And the things [of the earth] stand out like a [multi-colored] garment. Christian Standard Bible The earth is changed as clay is by a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. Holman Christian Standard Bible The earth is changed as clay is by a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. American Standard Version It is changed as clay under the seal; And all things stand forth as a garment: Contemporary English Version Early dawn outlines the hills like stitches on clothing or sketches on clay. English Revised Version It is changed as clay under the seal; and all things stand forth as a garment: GOD'S WORD® Translation The earth changes like clay stamped by a seal, and [parts of it] stand out like [folds in] clothing. Good News Translation Daylight makes the hills and valleys stand out like the folds of a garment, clear as the imprint of a seal on clay. International Standard Version Like clay is molded by a signet ring, the earth's hills and valleys then stand out like the colors of a garment. NET Bible The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features are dyed like a garment. New Heart English Bible It is changed as clay under the seal, and stands forth as a garment. Webster's Bible Translation It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. World English Bible It is changed as clay under the seal, and presented as a garment. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIt turns itself as clay of a seal "" And they station themselves as clothed. Young's Literal Translation It turneth itself as clay of a seal And they station themselves as clothed. Smith's Literal Translation It shall be turned as clay to the seal; and they shall stand as clothing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe seal shall be restored as clay, and shall stand as a garment : Catholic Public Domain Version The seal will be restored like clay, and it will remain in place like a garment. New American Bible The earth is changed as clay by the seal, and dyed like a garment; New Revised Standard Version It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo that their bodies shall be turned into clay, and be thrown into a heap. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Their bodies shall be changed like clay, and they shall rise as clothing OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917It is changed as clay under the seal; And they stand as a garment. Brenton Septuagint Translation Or didst thou take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God Challenges Job…13that it might spread to the ends of the earth and shake the wicked out of it? 14The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. 15Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken.… Cross References Genesis 1:3-5 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. / And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. / God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Psalm 104:20-23 You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl. / The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. / The sun rises, and they withdraw; they lie down in their dens. ... Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things. Jeremiah 33:25 This is what the LORD says: If I have not established My covenant with the day and the night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. Psalm 19:1-6 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ... Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Daniel 2:22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. Ecclesiastes 11:7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. Psalm 139:12 even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You. Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. John 1:4-5 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:8-14 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord. ... 1 John 1:5-7 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Treasury of Scripture It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. as a Psalm 104:2,6 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: … Jump to Previous Changed Clay Clothed Coloured Dyed Earth Features Forth Garment Robe Seal Shape Stamp Stand Stands Station Themselves Turned Turneth WetJump to Next Changed Clay Clothed Coloured Dyed Earth Features Forth Garment Robe Seal Shape Stamp Stand Stands Station Themselves Turned Turneth WetJob 38 1. God challenges Job to answer4. God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance 31. and weakness The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; This phrase evokes the imagery of an ancient practice where a seal was pressed into soft clay to leave an impression. In the biblical context, this reflects God's sovereign power in creation, shaping the earth with precision and purpose. The imagery of clay is also used in Isaiah 64:8, where God is the potter and humanity is the clay, emphasizing His authority and creative power. The seal represents authority and ownership, suggesting that the earth is under God's dominion. This imagery can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), imprinting His divine nature upon creation. its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and questions God's justice. 2. God The Creator, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of the universe. 3. Earth The subject of God's creation, described metaphorically in this verse. 4. Whirlwind The medium through which God speaks to Job, symbolizing His power and majesty. 5. Creation The event and ongoing process of God forming and sustaining the universe, highlighted in this passage. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in CreationGod is the ultimate Creator, shaping the earth with precision and purpose. This reminds us of His authority over all creation. Human Limitations Like Job, we must recognize our limited understanding of God's ways. We are called to trust in His wisdom and power. The Beauty of Creation The imagery of the earth taking shape like clay under a seal highlights the beauty and order in God's creation, encouraging us to appreciate and steward it. God's Response to Suffering In the midst of Job's suffering, God redirects his focus to His majesty and control, teaching us to find comfort in God's omnipotence during our trials. The Role of Humility Job's encounter with God teaches us humility, reminding us that we are part of a larger creation that God masterfully orchestrates. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Job 38What constitutes the Seal of God? In Job 38:8-11, is there any scientific basis for God setting literal boundaries for the sea as described? Does Isaiah 14:13-14's description of ascending to heaven reflect a literal cosmic event, and if not, why does the text use such lofty imagery? In Jeremiah 37:2, how can we reconcile the claim that King Zedekiah and his officials refused to listen to God's word with other passages suggesting they occasionally sought Jeremiah's counsel?(14) As clay to the seal.--In the darkness every object is without form and void, just as clay or wax, which has no distinctness of shape till the seal is applied, and then the impression is clear and manifest. So with the coming of the daylight after darkness. We should rather render, It is changed as clay under the seal, and all things stand forth as in their proper raiment.Verse 14. - It is turned as clay to the seal; rather, it changes as the clay of a seal. The seals of the Babylonians, Assyrians, and others were commonly impressed upon clay, and not upon wax (Lsyard, 'Nineveh and Babylon,' pp. 153-156). As the seal changed the clay from a dull, shapeless lump to a figured surface, so the coming of the dawn changes the earth from an indistinct mass to one diversified with form and colour. As M. Renan explains, "L'aurore fair our la terre l'effet d'un sceau sur la torte sigillee, en dormant de laforme, et du relief, a la surface do l'univers, qui pendant la nuit est somme un chaos indistinct." And they stand as a garment; rather, and things stand out as a garment or as on a garment - a richly embroidered dress is intended, on which the pattern stands out in relief. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The earth takes shapeתִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ (tiṯ·hap·pêḵ) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert like clay כְּחֹ֣מֶר (kə·ḥō·mer) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2563: A bubbling up, of water, a wave, of earth, mire, clay, a heap, a chomer, dry measure [under] a seal; חוֹתָ֑ם (ḥō·w·ṯām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2368: A seal, signet ring its hills stand out וְ֝יִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ (wə·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand like כְּמ֣וֹ (kə·mōw) Preposition Strong's 3644: Like, as, when the folds of a garment. לְבֽוּשׁ׃ (lə·ḇūš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3830: A garment, clothing, raiment Links Job 38:14 NIVJob 38:14 NLT Job 38:14 ESV Job 38:14 NASB Job 38:14 KJV Job 38:14 BibleApps.com Job 38:14 Biblia Paralela Job 38:14 Chinese Bible Job 38:14 French Bible Job 38:14 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 38:14 It is changed as clay under (Jb) |
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