Job 26:12 - Exposition

He divideth the sea with his power . "Divideth" is certainly a wrong translation. The verb used ( ־ָגַע ) means either "stirreth up" or "stilleth." In favour of the former rendering are Rosenmuller, Schultens, Delitzsch, Merx, and Canon Cook; in favour of the latter, the LXX ; Dillmann, and Dr. Stanley Leathes. In either case the general sentiment is that God has full mastery over the sea, and can regulate its movements at his pleasure. And by his understanding he smiteth through the proud ; literally, he smiteth through Rahab. (On Rahab, as the great power of evil, see the comment on Job 9:13 .) God is said to have "smitten him through by his understanding '" since in the contest between good and evil it is rather intelligence than mere force that carries the day. Power alone is sufficient to control the sea.