Proverbs 8:29
New International Version
when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

New Living Translation
I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

English Standard Version
when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

Berean Standard Bible
when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

King James Bible
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

New King James Version
When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

New American Standard Bible
When He set a boundary for the sea So that the water would not violate His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

NASB 1995
When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

NASB 1977
When He set for the sea its boundary, So that the water should not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

Legacy Standard Bible
When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not pass over His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

Amplified Bible
When He set for the sea its boundary So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth—

Christian Standard Bible
when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
when He set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate His command, when He laid out the foundations of the earth.

American Standard Version
When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth;

Contemporary English Version
I was there when he set boundaries for the sea to make it obey him, and when he laid foundations to support the earth.

English Revised Version
When he gave to the sea its bound, that the waters should not transgress his commandment: when he marked out the foundations of the earth:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
when he set a limit for the sea so the waters would not overstep his command, when he traced the foundations of the earth,

Good News Translation
and ordered the waters of the sea to rise no further than he said. I was there when he laid the earth's foundations.

International Standard Version
when he set a boundary for the sea so the waters would not exceed his limits, when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

NET Bible
when he gave the sea his decree that the waters should not pass over his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

New Heart English Bible
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;

Webster's Bible Translation
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

World English Bible
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In His setting for the sea its limit, "" And the waters do not transgress His command, "" In His decreeing the foundations of earth,

Young's Literal Translation
In His setting for the sea its limit, And the waters transgress not His command, In His decreeing the foundations of earth,

Smith's Literal Translation
In his setting his law to the sea, and the waters shall not pass by his mouth; in his making firm the foundations of the earth:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when be balanced the foundations of the earth;

Catholic Public Domain Version
when he encompassed the sea within its limits, and laid down a law for the waters, lest they transgress their limits; when he weighed the foundations of the earth.

New American Bible
When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; When he fixed the foundations of earth,

New Revised Standard Version
when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When he gave to the sea its bounds, that the waters should not transgress his commandment; when he laid down the foundations of the earth:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
When he set the law of the Sea and the waters would not disobey his mouth, when he made the foundations of the Earth,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When He gave to the sea His decree, That the waters should not transgress His commandment, When He appointed the foundations of the earth;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and when he strengthened the foundations of the earth:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Excellence of Wisdom
28when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, 29when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth. 30Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.…

Cross References
Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...

Psalm 104:9
You set a boundary they cannot cross, that they may never again cover the earth.

Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.

Genesis 1:9-10
And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so. / God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of waters He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

Job 26:10
He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Psalm 33:7
He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses.

Isaiah 40:12
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?

Psalm 148:5-6
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created. / He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away.

Genesis 1:6-7
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.” / So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so.

Job 9:8
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

Isaiah 51:15
For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name.

Jeremiah 31:35
Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:

Psalm 89:9
You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Psalm 93:4
Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.

Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.


Treasury of Scripture

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

he gave

Genesis 1:9,10
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so…

Job 38:8-11
Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? …

Psalm 33:7
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

when he appointed

Job 38:4-7
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding…

Jump to Previous
Appointed Assigned Bases Bound Boundary Command Commandment Decree Decreeing Earth Foundations Imposed Limit Marked Position Sea Setting Transgress Violate Water Waters Word
Jump to Next
Appointed Assigned Bases Bound Boundary Command Commandment Decree Decreeing Earth Foundations Imposed Limit Marked Position Sea Setting Transgress Violate Water Waters Word
Proverbs 8
1. the fame
6. and evidence of wisdom
10. The excellence
12. the nature
15. the power
18. the riches
22. and the eternity of wisdom
32. Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings














when He set a boundary for the sea
This phrase highlights God's sovereign power and authority over creation. The Hebrew word for "boundary" is "חֹק" (choq), which can also mean decree or statute. This suggests a divine ordinance that the sea must obey, reflecting God's control over the natural world. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the sea often symbolized chaos and disorder. By setting a boundary, God demonstrates His ability to bring order and stability, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing His role as the ultimate lawgiver and sustainer of the universe.

so that the waters would not surpass His command
Here, the phrase underscores the obedience of creation to God's will. The Hebrew word for "command" is "פִּי" (pi), meaning mouth or utterance, indicating that God's spoken word is powerful and effective. This echoes the creation narrative in Genesis, where God speaks the world into existence. The waters, often seen as a force of chaos, are restrained by God's command, illustrating His supreme authority. This serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the reliability of His promises, as even the most formidable elements of nature are subject to His will.

when He marked out the foundations of the earth
This phrase speaks to God's wisdom and precision in creation. The Hebrew word for "marked out" is "חָקַק" (chaqaq), which can mean to inscribe or engrave, suggesting intentionality and care in the design of the earth. The "foundations" refer to the stability and order of the world, a concept that would have been significant in a time when the earth was perceived as a flat disc supported by pillars. This imagery conveys the idea that God has established the earth on a firm and unshakeable foundation, reflecting His wisdom and the meticulous nature of His creative work. It reassures believers of the stability and order inherent in God's creation, encouraging trust in His divine plan.

(29) When he gave to the sea his decree . . .--Compare the same thoughts in Job 38:4; Job 38:10-11.

Verse 29. - When he gave to the sea his decree (chok, as Job 28:26; Jeremiah 5:22); or, its bounds. The meaning is much the same in either case, being what is expressed in Job 38:8, etc,, "Who shut up the sea with doors...and prescribed for it my decree, and set bars and doors, and said, Hitherto shall thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" The LXX. omits this hemistich. When he appointed the foundations of the earth. Job 38:4, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... Who determined the measures thereof? or who stretched the line upon it? Wherein were the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the cornerstone thereof?"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
when He set
בְּשׂ֘וּמ֤וֹ (bə·śū·mōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

a boundary
חֻקּ֗וֹ (ḥuq·qōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

for the sea,
לַיָּ֨ם ׀ (lay·yām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

so that the waters
וּ֭מַיִם (ū·ma·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

would not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

surpass
יַֽעַבְרוּ־ (ya·‘aḇ·rū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

His command,
פִ֑יו (p̄îw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

when He marked out
בְּ֝חוּק֗וֹ (bə·ḥū·qōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2710: To hack, engrave, to enact, prescribe

the foundations
מ֣וֹסְדֵי (mō·ws·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4144: A foundation

of the earth.
אָֽרֶץ׃ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:29 When he gave to the sea its (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 8:28
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