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Job 38:23

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 38:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?
Job 38:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, And that thou shouldest discern the paths to the house thereof?
21[Doubtless], thou knowest, for thou wast then born, And the number of thy days is great!
22Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow, Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?
24By what way is the light parted, Or the east wind scattered upon the earth?
25Who hath cleft a channel for the waterflood, Or the way for the lightning of the thunder;
26To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; On the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
← Job 38:22Job 38:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, etc.] For the punishment or affliction of men; and is explained as follows, against the day of battle and war? as his artillery and ammunition to light his enemies with. Of hail we have instances in Scripture, as employed against the Egyptians and Canaanites, (<020925>Exodus 9:25 <061011>Joshua 10:11); and of a reserve of it in the purposes of God, and in prophecy against the day of battle with antichrist, (<661621>Revelation 16:21); and so Jarchi interprets it here of the war of Gog and Magog. And though there are no instances of snow being used in this way in Scripture, yet there is in history. Strabo f1310 reports, that at Corzena and…”
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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
“against the time of trouble--the time when I design to chastise men (Exo 9:18; Jos 10:11; Rev 16:21; Isa 28:17; Psa 18:12-13; Hag 2:17).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Which I have reserved - As if they were carefully treasured up to be brought forth as they shall be needed. The idea is, that they were entirely under the direction of God. The time of trouble - Herder “the time of need.” The meaning probably is, that he had kept them in reserve for the time when he wished to bring calamity on his enemies, or that he made use of them to punish his foes; compare the notes at Job 36:31-33. Against the day of battle and war - Hailstones were employed by God sometimes to overwhelm his foes, and were sent against them in time of battle; see Joshua 10:11; Exodus 9:22-26; Psalms 18:12-13; compare the notes at Isaiah 29:6. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“Trouble - When I intend to bring trouble upon any people for their sins. Job 38:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 36:31, Job 36:13; Exo 9:18, Exo 9:24; Jos 10:11; Isa 30:30; Eze 13:11-13; Mat 7:27; Rev 16:21 Job 38:24”
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Related study paths

Read Job 38 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification