Job 38:19

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 38:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
Job 38:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Where [is] the way [where] light dwelleth? etc.] Or the way to the place where it dwells, and what that is; and [as for] darkness, where [is] the place thereof? where these were placed when they were first separated at the creation? where light goes and dwells, when it departs from us at sun setting? and where the darkness betakes itself, and makes its abode at sun rising? What is the chamber of the sun, and the tabernacle of it? from whence it sets out, and whither it returns? And though these questions may be answered by geographers and astronomers in their way; yet they seem to respect chiefly the disposal of light and darkness, in such a manner as to cause the revolution of them, and the…”
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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
“The marvels in heaven. "What is the way (to the place wherein) light dwelleth?" The origin of light and darkness. In Gen 1:3-5, Gen 1:14-18, "light" is created distinct from, and previous to, light-emitting bodies, the luminaries of heaven.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Where is the way where light dwelleth? - Or, rather, where is the way or path to the place where light dwells? Light is conceived of as coming from a great distance, and as having a place which might be regarded as its home. It comes in the morning, and is withdrawn at evening, and it seems as if it came from some far distant dwelling-place in the morning to illuminate the world, and then retired to its home in the evening, and thus gave place for darkness to visit the earth. The idea is this, “Dost thou know, when the light withdraws from the world, to what place it betakes itself as its home? Canst thou follow it to its distant abodes, and tell where they are? And when the shadows of night…”
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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
“Dwelleth - Hath its constant and settled abode. Whether goes the sun when it departs from this hemisphere? Where is the tabernacle and the chamber in which he is supposed to rest? And seeing there was a time when there was nothing but gross darkness upon the face of the earth, what way came light into the world? Which was the place where light dwelt at that time, and whence was it fetched? And whence came that orderly constitution and constant succession of light and darkness? Was this thy work? Or wast thou privy to it, or a counsellor, or assistant in it? Job 38:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the way: Job 38:12, Job 38:13; Gen 1:3, Gen 1:4, Gen 1:14-18; Deu 4:19; Isa 45:7; Joh 1:9, Joh 8:12 darkness: Psa 18:11, Psa 104:20, Psa 105:28; Jer 13:16; Eze 32:8; Amo 4:13; Mat 27:45 Job 38:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification