17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
17 Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death's dark mysteries?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?
17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 38:17
Commentary on Job 38:12-24
(Read Job 38:12-24)
The Lord questions Job, to convince him of his ignorance, and shame him for his folly in prescribing to God. If we thus try ourselves, we shall soon be brought to own that what we know is nothing in comparison with what we know not. By the tender mercy of our God, the Day-spring from on high has visited us, to give light to those that sit in darkness, whose hearts are turned to it as clay to the seal, 2 Corinthians 4:6. God's way in the government of the world is said to be in the sea; this means, that it is hid from us. Let us make sure that the gates of heaven shall be opened to us on the other side of death, and then we need not fear the opening of the gates of death. It is presumptuous for us, who perceive not the breadth of the earth, to dive into the depth of God's counsels. We should neither in the brightest noon count upon perpetual day, nor in the darkest midnight despair of the return of the morning; and this applies to our inward as well as to our outward condition. What folly it is to strive against God! How much is it our interest to seek peace with him, and to keep in his love!