Job 25:3

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 25:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise?
Job 25:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Is there any number of his armies? etc.] His armies in heaven, the heavenly host of angels, which are innumerable; there are more than twelve legions of them, thousand and ten thousand times ten thousand, employed in a military way, for the safety and preservation of the saints; (see <013201> Genesis 32:1,2 <193407>Psalm 34:7); and the sun, moon, and stars, often called the host of heaven, the latter of which cannot be numbered, and which fought in their courses against Sisera, (<070520>Judges 5:20); and his armies on earth, all the inhabitants of it; yea, every creature, even the smallest insect in it, which are without number: thus, frogs, lice, flies, and locusts, were the armies of God,…”
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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
“armies--angels and stars (Isa 40:26; Jer 33:22; Gen 15:5; "countless," Dan 7:10). his light-- (Jam 1:17).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Is there any number of his armies? - The armies of heaven; or the hosts of angelic beings, which are often represented as arranged or marshalled into armies; see the notes at Isaiah 1:9. The word which is used here is not the common one which is rendered “hosts,” (צבא tsâbâ'), but is גדוּד gedûd which means properly a troop, band, or army. It may here mean either the constellations often represented as the army which God marshals and commands, or it may mean the angels. And upon whom doth not his light arise? - This is designed evidently to show the majesty and glory of God. It refers probably to the light of the sun, as the light which he creates and commands. The idea is, that it…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Armies - Of the angels, and stars, and other creatures, all which are his hosts. Light - The light of the sun is communicated to all parts of the world. This is a faint resemblance, of the cognisance and care which God takes of the whole creation. All are under the light of his knowledge: all partake of the light of his goodness: his pleasure is to shew mercy: all the creatures live upon his bounty. Job 25:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“there: Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21, Psa 148:2-4; Isa 40:26; Dan 7:10; Mat 26:53; Rev 5:11 upon whom: Job 38:12, Job 38:13; Gen 1:3-5, Gen 1:14-16; Psa 19:4-6; Mat 5:45; Joh 1:4, Joh 1:9; Jam 1:17 Job 25:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification