He shakes the earth from its placeThis phrase reflects the omnipotence of God, emphasizing His control over creation. In the context of Job, it underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and power, which is a central theme throughout the book. The imagery of God shaking the earth is reminiscent of other biblical passages that describe God's power over nature, such as
Psalm 104:32 and
Isaiah 13:13. These references highlight God's ability to disrupt the natural order, demonstrating His authority over all creation. The shaking of the earth can also be seen as a metaphor for divine judgment, as seen in prophetic literature like
Haggai 2:6-7, where God promises to shake the heavens and the earth as a sign of His coming kingdom.
so that its foundations tremble
The trembling of the earth's foundations signifies the profound impact of God's actions on the world. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the earth was often thought to rest on pillars or foundations, as seen in passages likePsalm 75:3 and1 Samuel 2:8. The idea that these foundations could tremble suggests a disruption of the established order, pointing to God's ability to alter the very structure of the world. This imagery is also used in eschatological contexts, where the shaking of the earth's foundations symbolizes the coming of God's ultimate judgment and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as seen inRevelation 6:12-14. The trembling foundations can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the cornerstone inEphesians 2:20, indicating that while the physical world may be shaken, Christ remains the unshakeable foundation for believers.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. Job is undergoing intense suffering and is in dialogue with his friends about the nature of God and justice.
2.
GodThe Almighty Creator, whose power and sovereignty are being discussed by Job. Job acknowledges God's supreme authority over creation, including the earth itself.
3.
EarthRepresents the physical world and creation. In this context, it symbolizes stability and order, which God has the power to disrupt.
4.
Foundations of the EarthA metaphorical expression referring to the stability and order of the world, which God can shake at His will.
5.
Job's FriendsThough not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the larger dialogue. They represent traditional views on suffering and divine justice, which Job is challenging.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over CreationGod has ultimate control over the physical world. Recognizing His power should lead us to trust in His plans, even when they are beyond our understanding.
The Fragility of Human ConstructsJust as God can shake the earth, He can disrupt human plans and systems. We should build our lives on the foundation of His Word, which is unshakeable.
The Purpose of Divine DisruptionWhen God allows disruptions in our lives, it may be to draw us closer to Him or to refine our faith. We should seek His purpose in our trials.
Faith in Times of UncertaintyLike Job, we may not always understand why God allows certain events, but we can have faith that He is in control and His purposes are good.
The Call to HumilityAcknowledging God's power should lead us to humility, recognizing our limitations and dependence on Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 9:6?
2.How does Job 9:6 demonstrate God's power over creation in our lives?
3.What does "shakes the earth" reveal about God's sovereignty and authority?
4.How can we trust God's control when facing life's uncertainties, as in Job 9:6?
5.Connect Job 9:6 with another scripture about God's power over nature.
6.How should Job 9:6 influence our response to natural disasters or personal trials?
7.How does Job 9:6 align with scientific understanding of earthquakes and natural phenomena?
8.What does Job 9:6 reveal about God's power over creation?
9.How does Job 9:6 challenge the belief in a benevolent God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 9?
11.How do biblical descriptions of Earth’s foundation contradict planetary physics?
12.Job 9:6 mentions God shaking the earth, yet modern science explains earthquakes through tectonic activity—how do we reconcile these views?
13.What does 'The Pillars of the Earth' signify?
14.What does "The Pillars of the Earth" signify?What Does Job 9:6 Mean
He shakes the earth• Job is acknowledging God’s direct power over creation; nothing in the natural world is autonomous.
•Psalm 104:32 affirms, “He looks at the earth, and it trembles,” echoing the same picture of divine authority.
• InExodus 19:18 the whole mountain quaked at God’s presence, underscoring that seismic events are not random but subject to His command.
•Isaiah 13:13 further reinforces this: “I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts on the day His fierce anger comes.”
from its place• The phrase underscores that the earth sits exactly where God set it; any movement happens only because He wills it.
•Psalm 75:3 says, “When the earth and all its dwellers quake, it is I who bear up its pillars,” pointing to God’s sustaining hand.
•Acts 17:26 reminds us that He “appointed the times and boundaries” of nations, illustrating that even human geography is subject to His placement.
• This is not poetic exaggeration but a literal reminder that God can interrupt the normal order whenever He chooses, proving His sovereignty.
so that its foundations tremble• Foundations represent stability; if even they shake, nothing created is outside God’s reach.
•Psalm 18:7 declares, “Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger,” tying seismic terror to divine response.
•Hebrews 12:26–27 cites God’s voice that “shook the earth,” and promises a future shaking to remove what can be shaken, “so that the unshakable may remain,” showing that present quakes foreshadow ultimate judgment and renewal.
• This line tells believers that security lies not in the created order but in the Creator who upholds and can unsettle it.
summaryJob 9:6 paints a vivid, literal portrait of God’s sovereignty: He possesses authority to jolt the entire planet, relocate it if He chooses, and rattle what seems immovable. Such power reveals His unmatched majesty, warns the unrighteous, and comforts the faithful by proving that every force in nature answers to His voice.
Verse 6. -
Which shaketh the earth out of her place. This is a still more startling figure of speech; but comp.
Psalm 46:2;
Psalm 68:16;
Psalm 114:4, 6.
And the pillars thereof tremble. The earth is conceived of, poetically, as a huge edifice, supported on pillars (comp.
Psalm 75:3), which in an earthquake are shaken, and impart their motion to the entire building. Rosenmuller's quotation of Seneca, 'Nat. Quaest.,' 6:20 - "Fortasse ex aliqua parle terra
veluti columnis quibusdam et pills sustinetur, quibus vitiatis et recedentibus tremit pondus impositum" - is apposite.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He shakesהַמַּרְגִּ֣יז(ham·mar·gîz)Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7264:To be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbedthe earthאֶ֭רֶץ(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landfrom its place,מִמְּקוֹמָ֑הּ(mim·mə·qō·w·māh)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4725:A standing, a spot, a conditionso that its foundationsוְ֝עַמּוּדֶ֗יהָ(wə·‘am·mū·ḏe·hā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5982:A column, a stand, platformtremble.יִתְפַלָּצֽוּן׃(yiṯ·p̄al·lā·ṣūn)Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 6426:To rend, to quiver
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OT Poetry: Job 9:6 He shakes the earth out of its (Jb) 
