The Meaning of Job 38:23 Explained

Job 38:23

KJV: Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

YLT: That I have kept back for a time of distress, For a day of conflict and battle.

Darby: Which I have reserved for the time of distress, for the day of battle and war?

ASV: Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Against the day of battle and war?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Which I have reserved  against the time  of trouble,  against the day  of battle  and war? 

What does Job 38:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 38:19-41 - What Man Cannot Do
In this chapter a number of nature-pictures pass before us. These include the creation of the earth, Job 38:4-7; the sea, Job 38:8-11; light, Job 38:12-15; the mysteries of the unseen, Job 38:16-18; snow and rain, Job 38:22-30; the constellations of heaven, Job 38:31-38; and the recesses of the forest-glades, Job 38:39-41.
What does it all mean? Ah! there are times when the voice of God through nature falls on our hearts like sweet music, and we hardly know whence or how, but we are comforted and strengthened. The peace passes understanding. Besides, the frequent question, Hast thou? was intended to turn Job's attention to the great mysteries contained in common and ordinary things. If he could not unravel these, how could he hope to fathom all the wonderful dealings of God with the human soul? His ways are above ours and His thoughts higher than ours; but we are sure from Calvary that He is love. Let us quiet ourselves, therefore, and trust. [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 38

1  God challenges Job to answer
4  God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance
31  and weakness

What do the individual words in Job 38:23 mean?

Which I have reserved for the time of trouble for the day of battle and war
אֲשֶׁר־ חָשַׂ֥כְתִּי לְעֶת־ צָ֑ר לְי֥וֹם קְ֝רָ֗ב ؟ וּמִלְחָמָֽה

חָשַׂ֥כְתִּי  I  have  reserved 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: חָשַׂךְ  
Sense: to withhold, restrain, hold back, keep in check, refrain.
לְעֶת־  for  the  time 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common singular construct
Root: עֵת  
Sense: time.
צָ֑ר  of  trouble 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַר 
Sense: narrow, tight.
לְי֥וֹם  for  the  day 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
קְ֝רָ֗ב  of  battle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קְרָב  
Sense: battle, war.
؟ וּמִלְחָמָֽה  and  war 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִלְחָמָה  
Sense: battle, war.