Job 38:3
New International Version
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

New Living Translation
Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

English Standard Version
Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Berean Standard Bible
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

King James Bible
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

New King James Version
Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.

New American Standard Bible
“Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man, And I shall ask you, and you inform Me!

NASB 1995
“Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!

NASB 1977
“Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!

Legacy Standard Bible
Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you make Me know!

Amplified Bible
“Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!

Christian Standard Bible
Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question you, you will inform me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Get ready to answer Me like a man; when I question you, you will inform Me.

American Standard Version
Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Contemporary English Version
Now get ready to face me! Can you answer the questions I ask?

English Revised Version
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Brace yourself like a man! I will ask you, and you will teach me.

Good News Translation
Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you.

International Standard Version
Stand up like a man! I'll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers!"

Majority Standard Bible
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

NET Bible
Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me!

New Heart English Bible
Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

World English Bible
Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Now gird your loins as a man, "" And I ask you, and you cause Me to know.

Young's Literal Translation
Gird, I pray thee, as a man, thy loins, And I ask thee, and cause thou Me to know.

Smith's Literal Translation
Gird now thy loins as a man; and I will ask thee, and make thou known to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Gird up thy loins like a man : I will ask thee, and answer thou me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Gird your waist like a man. I will question you, and you must answer me.

New American Bible
Gird up your loins now, like a man; I will question you, and you tell me the answers!

New Revised Standard Version
Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Gird up your loins now, like a valiant man; for I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Wrap your garment now on your loins as a mighty man. I shall ask you; teach me!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Gird thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Challenges Job
2“Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge? 3Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. 4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.…

Cross References
Job 40:7
“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

Job 42:4
You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’

Isaiah 50:7
Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

Jeremiah 1:17
Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.

1 Kings 18:46
And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Proverbs 31:17
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

Isaiah 45:5
I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me,

Ezekiel 2:6
But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 3:8-9
Behold, I will make your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. / I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.”

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:14
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

Luke 12:35
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Hebrews 12:12
Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.


Treasury of Scripture

Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me.

Gird

Job 40:7
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Exodus 12:11
And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.

1 Kings 18:46
And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

for

Job 13:15,22
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him…

Job 23:3-7
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! …

Job 31:35-37
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book…

answer thou me.

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Answers Brace Cause Declare Demand Gird Inform Instruct Loins Question Questions Strength Together War
Job 38
1. God challenges Job to answer
4. God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance
31. and weakness














Now brace yourself like a man
In this phrase, God is speaking directly to Job, commanding him to prepare himself for a divine encounter. The Hebrew word for "brace" is "אֱזָר" (ezar), which means to gird or to prepare oneself for action. This imagery is reminiscent of a warrior preparing for battle, suggesting that Job must ready himself for a serious and profound dialogue with the Almighty. The phrase "like a man" implies maturity, strength, and readiness to face challenges. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this would evoke the image of a man standing firm, ready to engage in a significant and potentially life-altering conversation. This call to readiness is not just physical but also mental and spiritual, urging Job to be fully present and attentive to what God is about to reveal.

I will question you
Here, God indicates that He will be the one asking questions, reversing the roles that Job might have expected. The Hebrew root for "question" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which means to inquire or demand an answer. This is significant because throughout the book, Job has been questioning God, seeking understanding and justification for his suffering. Now, God turns the tables, suggesting that divine wisdom and understanding are beyond human comprehension. This phrase underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the limitations of human knowledge. It is a reminder that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and that sometimes, the answers we seek are found in the humility of listening rather than speaking.

and you shall inform Me
In this concluding phrase, God challenges Job to provide answers, highlighting the futility of human wisdom when compared to divine knowledge. The Hebrew word for "inform" is "יָדַע" (yada), which means to know or to make known. This is an ironic challenge, as it is clear that Job, a mere mortal, cannot inform the omniscient Creator of anything. This phrase serves to humble Job, reminding him of his place in the created order and the vast chasm between human and divine understanding. It is a call to recognize the limits of human perspective and to trust in God's greater plan and purpose, even when it is not fully understood. This interaction sets the stage for the profound revelations that follow, inviting readers to reflect on their own posture before God and the mysteries of life.

Verse 3. - Gird up now thy loins like a man. Job had desired to contend with God, to plead with him, and argue out his case (Job 9:32-35; Job 13:3, 18-22; Job 23:4-7; Job 31:35). God now offers to grant his request, and bids him stand forth "as a man'" and "gird himself" for the contest, which he has challenged. For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. He will begin with interrogatories which Job must answer; then Job will be entitled to put questions to him. Job, however, on the opportunity being given him, shrinks back, and says, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken: but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further" (Job 40:4, 5). The confident boldness which he felt when God seemed far off disappears in his presence, and is replaced by diffidence and distrust.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

brace
אֱזָר־ (’ĕ·zār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 247: To gird, encompass, equip

yourself
חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ (ḥă·lā·ṣe·ḵā)
Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2504: The loins

like a man;
כְגֶ֣בֶר (ḵə·ḡe·ḇer)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

I will question you,
וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ (wə·’eš·’ā·lə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

and you shall inform Me!
וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ (wə·hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know


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OT Poetry: Job 38:3 Brace yourself like a man for (Jb)
Job 38:2
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