Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Ver. 4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?] q.d. Thou wast nowhere, a mere nonens; thou wast no companion or counsellor of mine; nay, not so much as an onlooker, for thou art but of yesterday. Thou understandest not the reason of this fair fabric; much less of my dark and deep counsels.
Declare, if thou hast understanding] Heb. if thou kuowest understanding. An irony, but friendly, and free from all bitterness; the better to convince Job of his folly and faultiness; for which end, also, multis eum interrogationibus onerat, God loadeth him with many deep questions, the least whereof he could not answer. (Mercer).