Job 38:14

 Job 38:14

It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

a. ASV: It is changed as clay under the seal; And all things stand forth as a garment: [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: It turneth itself as clay of a seal And they station themselves as clothed.  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: It is changed like clay into which a seal is pressed; and things stand out like a many-colored garment. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Job, Jewish Publication Society of America Text: It is changed as clay under the seal; And they stand as a garment. [Soncino Books of the Bible, Job, 1946; Jewish Publication Society of America Text; Commentary, Rabbi Dr. Victor E. Reichert]

e. ESV: It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.[Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

1. “It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.”

a. [It is] turned [Strong: 2015 hâphak, haw-fak'; a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert:—× become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way).]

1). Henry M. Morris, Biblical Basis of Modern Science, p.165, 166: Even the rotation of  the earth is implied in Job 38:14: The figure, in context, is of a clay vessel being turned on a wheel to receive the design impressed upon it by a seal or signet, like the earth as it turners into the dawning sun, gradually revealing the intricate features on its surface. In summary, there is no observational fact of modern solar astronomy which contradicts any biblical statement, but many such facts correlate beautifully with the Scriptures.

2). Henry M.Morris, The Biblical Basis for Modern Science, p.247: The remarkable prophetic statement of Christ concerning the instantaneous and unexpected nature of His second coming also implies both the roundness and rotation of the earth. Luke 17:34-36   “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” In other words, the great event will take place instantaneously at night, in the morning, and in the afternoon. Such a combination would be possible only on an earth in which day and night could be occurring simultaneously, and that means a rotating earth suspended in space.

3). The other school of thought teaches that because the Hebrew definition is flexible [which it is], the meaning is not turning as in rotation, but turning as in changing, and they cite the translations that use it in that meaning. 

a). NASB 2000: “It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand out like a garment.

b). RSV: It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment.

4). The truth is the Hebrew definition is flexible and turning as in rotation is one of its meanings. I lean towards Henry M. Morris. 

a). Judges 7:13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

b). Joshua 7:8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!

b. [as] clay [Strong: 2563 chômer, kho'mer; from H2560; properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a heap; hence, a chomer or dry measure:—clay, heap, homer, mire, motion.]

c. [to the] seal [Strong: 2368 chôwthâm, kho-thawm'; or חֹתָם chôthâm; from H2856; a signature-ring:—seal, signet.]

d. [and they] stand [Strong: 3320 yâtsab, yaw-tsab'; a primitive root; to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue:—present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up).]

e. as [Strong: 3644 kᵉmôw, kem-o'; or כָּמוֹ kâmôw; a form of the prefix k, but used separately [compare H3651]; as, thus, so:—according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth.]

f. [a] garment [Strong: 3830 lᵉbûwsh, leb-oosh'; or לְבֻשׁ lᵉbush; from H3847; a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife:—apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.]