Bible Strands
Job 26:11
The foundations of heaven quake, astounded at His rebuke.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job delivers this line within a monologue cataloging God's absolute control over creation, placed between his description of God marking the horizon on the waters and stirring the sea.
The words — עַמּוּדֵי שָׁמַיִם ('a.mu.Dei sha.Ma.yim) translates literally as "pillars of heaven," paired with יְרוֹפָפוּ וְיִתְמְהוּ (ye.ro.Fa.fu ve./yit.me.Hu), meaning "they shake and they are astonished."
The thread — The motif of cosmic foundations trembling at divine authority appears in Psalms 18:7, where earth and mountain foundations shake at His burning, and aligns with Job 15:15, which states that even the heavens lack purity before God.
Why it lands — The text states that created structures physically quake and stand in awe at God's rebuke, demanding a reader acknowledge that all cosmic order remains entirely subject to His spoken command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.
- Job 15:15 If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes,
- Psalms 18:7 Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.
- Haggai 2:21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth:
- Hebrews 12:26 At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”
- 2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
- Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.