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Job 38:35

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Can you command lightning bolts to strike where you want them to go, and have them report back to you, 'Here we are, ready for your orders'?

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is asking Job if he has the power to control lightning and command it like a servant - emphasizing that only God has authority over the forces of nature.

📚 Historical Context

In the book of Job, which is set in the ancient Near East and likely written during the patriarchal period, Job has been enduring severe trials and questioning God's justice, prompting a debate with his friends. God then responds directly to Job from a whirlwind in chapters 38-41, using a series of rhetorical questions about the natural world to reveal His unmatched wisdom and authority. This verse specifically highlights God's control over lightning, underscoring the biblical theme that human beings are finite and cannot command the elements as God does.

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