Job 38:35 (KJV)

What does Job 38:35 mean?

Job 38:35 asks if a person can command lightning to go forth and report back, highlighting the vast difference between human ability and God's power over creation. The verse uses this question to show that only God can control such forces, emphasizing human limitations.

In this part of the book of Job, God is speaking directly to Job out of a whirlwind, challenging Job’s understanding and reminding him of God’s unmatched authority over the natural world. The question about sending lightning serves as an example of something far beyond human control, underlining the main theme that God’s wisdom and power are far greater than any person’s.

The Hebrew behind Job 38:35

• "send" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or dispatch. Here, it stresses the idea of commanding or directing something powerful, like lightning, which humans cannot do.
• "lightnings" (בָּרָק, baraq): This refers to flashes of lightning. The use of the plural shows the overwhelming and uncontrollable nature of these forces.
• "go" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word means to go or move. The verse pictures lightning as if it could be sent on an errand, highlighting the impossibility for humans.
• "say" (אָמַר, amar): This means to speak or say. The verse imagines lightning responding to a command, making the point that only God can command nature in this way.

Why Job 38:35 matters

• Job 38:35 helps clear up any idea that humans have ultimate control over nature, showing that even the most powerful natural forces answer only to God.
• The verse fits into a larger series of questions from God to Job, all designed to remind Job (and the reader) of the limits of human understanding and ability.
• This question about lightning connects to the broader theme of the book: trusting God’s wisdom and power, especially when faced with things we cannot explain or control.