Job 15:7

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 15:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?
Job 15:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[Art] thou the first man [that] was born? etc.] The first Adam, who was created in wisdom and knowledge, and had a large share of understanding in things natural, civil, and moral; knew much of God and his perfections, of the works of nature, and of the wisdom and power of God displayed in them; one instance of which is his giving names to the creatures; dost thou think thou art that selfsame individual person, the father of all mankind, who had such a stock and fund of knowledge, until, by seeking after more, and that unlawful, he lost much of what he had? dost thou imagine that thou hast lived ever since, and seen or known everything that was done in all ages from the beginning, and hast…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That is, Art thou wisdom personified? Wisdom existed before the hills; that is, the eternal Son of God (Pro 8:25; Psa 90:2). Wast thou in existence before Adam? The farther back one existed, the nearer he was to the Eternal Wisdom.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Art thou the first man that was born? - Hast thou lived ever since the creation, and treasured up all the wisdom of past times, that thou dost now speak so arrogantly and confidently? This question was asked, because, in the estimation of Eliphaz and his friends, wisdom was supposed to be connected with long life, and with an opportunity for extended and varied observation; see Job 15:10. Job they regarded as comparatively a young man. Wast thou made before the hills - The mountains and the hills are often represented as being the oldest of created objects, probably because they are the most ancient things that appear on earth. Springs dry up, and waters change their beds; cities are built…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:7-8 When the Lord himself later issued a similar challenge, Job found it convicting (38:1-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the first: Job 15:10, Job 12:12; Gen 4:1 or wast thou: Job 38:4-41; Psa 90:2; Pro 8:22-25 Job 15:8”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“7 Wast thou as the first one born as a man, And hast thou been brought forth before the hills? 8 Hast thou attended to the counsel of Eloah, And hast thou kept wisdom to thyself? 9 What dost thou know that we have not known? Doest thou understand what we have not been acquainted with? 10 Both grey-haired and aged are among us, Older in days than thy father. The question in Job 15:7 assumes that the first created man, because coming direct from the hand of God, had the most direct and profoundest insight into the mysteries of the world which came into existence at the same time as himself. Schlottman calls to mind an ironical proverbial expression of the Hindus: "Yea, indeed, he is the first…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification