Job 36:30 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.

Light - lightning.

It - His tabernacle. The light, in an instant spread over the vast mass of dark clouds, forms a striking picture. "Spread" is repeated from Job 36:29, to form an antithesis, 'He spreads not only clouds but light.'

Covereth the bottom (roots) of the sea - namely, with the light. In the storm the depths of ocean are laid bare; and the light "covers" them at the same moment that it "spreads" across the dark sky. So in Psalms 18:14-15, the discovering of "the channels of waters" follows the "lightnings." Umbreit translates, 'He spreadeth His light upon Himself, and covereth Himself with the roots of the sea' (Psalms 104:2): God's garment is woven of celestial light, and of the watery depths raised to the sky to form His cloudy canopy. The phrase 'cover Himself with the roots (the depths) of the sea' is harsh; but the image is grand.

Job 36:30

30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottomg of the sea.