38:10 when I prescribed 1 its limits,
and set 2 in place its bolts and doors,
36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him?
Or said to him, ‘You have done what is wicked’?
1 tc The MT has “and I broke,” which cannot mean “set, prescribed” or the like. The LXX and the Vulgate have such a meaning, suggesting a verb עֲשִׁית (’ashiyt, “plan, prescribe”). A. Guillaume finds an Arabic word with a meaning “measured it by span by my decree.” Would God give himself a decree? R. Gordis simply argues that the basic meaning “break” develops the connotation of “decide, determine” (2 Sam 5:24; Job 14:3; Dan 11:36).
2 tn Dhorme suggested reversing the two verbs, making this the first, and then “shatter” for the second colon.