Job 9:8
New International Version
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

New Living Translation
He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.

English Standard Version
who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea;

Berean Standard Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

King James Bible
Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

New King James Version
He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea;

New American Standard Bible
Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the waves of the sea;

NASB 1995
Who alone stretches out the heavens And tramples down the waves of the sea;

NASB 1977
Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the waves of the sea;

Legacy Standard Bible
Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the waves of the sea;

Amplified Bible
Who alone stretches out the heavens And tramples down the waves of the sea;

Christian Standard Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

American Standard Version
That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea;

Contemporary English Version
God alone stretched out the sky, stepped on the sea,

English Revised Version
Which alone stretcheth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He stretches out the heavens by himself and walks on the waves of the sea.

Good News Translation
No one helped God spread out the heavens or trample the sea monster's back.

International Standard Version
He alone spreads out the heavens, he walks on the waves of the sea.

Majority Standard Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

NET Bible
he alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea;

New Heart English Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

World English Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Stretching out the heavens by Himself, "" And treading on the heights of the sea,

Young's Literal Translation
Stretching out the heavens by Himself, And treading on the heights of the sea,

Smith's Literal Translation
He alone spread out the heavens and he trod upon the heights of the sea.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and walketh upon the waves of the sea.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He alone extends the heavens, and he walks upon the waves of the sea.

New American Bible
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the back of the sea.

New Revised Standard Version
who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the Sea;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He alone stretched out the heavens, and treads upon the mighty waves of the sea.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He who stretched out Heaven alone and treads on the power of the sea
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Who alone has stretched out the heavens, and walks on the sea as on firm ground.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job: How Can I Argue with God?
7He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars. 8He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. 9He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:22
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Psalm 104:2
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,

Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,

Psalm 136:6
He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever.

Isaiah 51:13
But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?

Jeremiah 10:12-13
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. / When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

Psalm 33:6-9
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. / He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses. / Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. ...

Genesis 1:6-10
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.” / So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. / God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. ...

Psalm 19:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Isaiah 42:5
This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:

Amos 4:13
For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind and reveals His thoughts to man, who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth—the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name.”

Colossians 1:16-17
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:10-12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”


Treasury of Scripture

Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.

Which

Job 37:18
Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

Genesis 1:6,7
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters…

Psalm 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

treadeth

Job 38:11
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Psalm 93:3,4
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves…

Matthew 14:25-30
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea…

waves.

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Alone Hand Heavens Heights High Sea Spreadeth Stretched Stretches Stretcheth Stretching Trampled Tramples Treadeth Treading Treads Walking Waves
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Alone Hand Heavens Heights High Sea Spreadeth Stretched Stretches Stretcheth Stretching Trampled Tramples Treadeth Treading Treads Walking Waves
Job 9
1. Job acknowledges God's justice
22. Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions














He alone stretches out the heavens
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and omnipotence of God as the sole Creator. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heavens were often associated with the divine realm, and stretching them out signifies God's authority over the cosmos. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as Isaiah 40:22, which describes God as stretching out the heavens like a curtain. The act of creation is solely attributed to God, highlighting His unique power and wisdom, distinguishing Him from any other being or deity. This also prefigures the New Testament revelation of Christ, through whom all things were made (John 1:3).

and treads on the waves of the sea.
This phrase illustrates God's dominion over chaos and the natural world, as the sea often symbolizes chaos and disorder in biblical literature. The imagery of treading on the sea is a demonstration of God's control over the elements, reminiscent of Jesus walking on water in the New Testament (Matthew 14:25). This act by Jesus serves as a type, or foreshadowing, of divine authority over creation, affirming His identity as God incarnate. The cultural context of the ancient world often viewed the sea as a place of fear and uncertainty, making God's mastery over it a powerful testament to His supreme power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and his quest to understand God's justice.

2. God
The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is depicted in this verse as having the power to stretch out the heavens and walk on the sea, emphasizing His sovereignty and omnipotence.

3. Heavens
Refers to the sky or the expanse of the universe, symbolizing the vastness and majesty of God's creation.

4. Sea
Often represents chaos and the unknown in biblical literature, highlighting God's control over all creation, including the most tumultuous elements.

5. Job's Discourse
This verse is part of Job's response to Bildad, one of his friends, as Job reflects on the majesty and incomprehensibility of God's power.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God alone has the power to control the universe. This understanding should lead to a deeper trust in His plans and purposes, even when they are beyond our comprehension.

Creation's Testimony
The heavens and the sea testify to God's greatness. Spend time in nature to reflect on His majesty and to worship Him for His creative power.

Facing Chaos with Faith
Just as God treads on the waves, He is present in the chaotic and uncertain moments of our lives. Trust in His ability to bring order and peace.

Christ's Divinity
Jesus' act of walking on water in the New Testament is a direct connection to God's power described in Job. This affirms the divinity of Christ and His authority over all creation.

Humility Before God
Job's acknowledgment of God's power should inspire humility in us. We are reminded of our limited understanding and the need to submit to God's wisdom.(8) Waves of the sea.--Literally, high place of the sea: the sea when and where it runs mountains high. The various physical phenomena of earthquake, eclipse, and hurricane are here described as the field of Divine action and the operations of His hands.

Verse 8. - Which alone spreadeth out the heavens (comp. Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 40:22). The heavens are regarded as spread out over the whole earth, like a curtain or awning over a tent, everywhere overshadowing and promoting it. This "stretching" or "spreading out" is felt to be one of the mightiest and most marvellous of the Creater's works, and is constantly put forward in Scripture as a special evidence of his omnipotence (see, besides the pasages above quoted, Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 45:12; It. 13; Jeremiah 10:12). It adds to the marvellousness that God did it all "alone," or "by himself" (comp. Isaiah 44:24). And treadeth upon the waves of the sea; literally, the heights of the sea; i.e. the waves, which run mountains-high. God plants his feet upon these, to crush them in their proud might (comp. Psalm 93:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He alone
לְבַדּ֑וֹ (lə·ḇad·dōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

stretches out
נֹטֶ֣ה (nō·ṭeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

the heavens,
שָׁמַ֣יִם (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and treads
וְ֝דוֹרֵ֗ךְ (wə·ḏō·w·rêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1869: To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the waves
בָּ֥מֳתֵי (bā·mo·ṯê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1116: An elevation

of the sea.
יָֽם׃ (yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin


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OT Poetry: Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens (Jb)
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