Albert Barnes Commentary Job 38:32

"Canst thou lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season? Or canst thou guide the Bear with her train?" — Job 38:32 (ASV)

Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? - The margin says, “the twelve signs;” that is, the twelve signs of the zodiac. There has been much diversity of opinion about the meaning of this word. It occurs nowhere else in the Scriptures, and of course it is not easy to determine its meaning.

The Septuagint retains the word μαξσυρὠθ maxsurōth — without attempting to translate it. Jerome translates it as “Luciferum - Lucifer,” the morning-star. The Chaldee, מזליא שטרי - the constellations of the planets. Coverdale, “the morning-star;” and Luther also translates it this way. Rosenmuller, “signa celestia” - the celestial signs; and Herder, Umbreit, Gesenius, and Noyes similarly translate it as “the zodiac.” Gesenius considers the word מזרה mazzârâh — to be the same as מזלה mazzâlâh — properly “lodgings, inns;” and thus, the “lodgings” of the sun, or the places or “houses” in which he appears in the heavens, and thus as meaning the signs in the zodiac.

Most of the Hebrew interpreters adopt this view, but it rests on no certain foundation; and since we are not certain of the word's meaning, the only safe way is to retain the original, as is done in our common version. I do not see how it is possible to determine its meaning with certainty. It is probably to be regarded as a name given to some constellation or cluster of stars supposed to exert an influence over the seasons, or connected with some change in the seasons, which we cannot accurately understand now.

Or can you guide Arcturus? - Regarding the constellation “Arcturus” (עשׁ ‛ayish), see the notes on Job 9:9. The word translated “guide” in the text is, in the margin, “guide them.” The Hebrew is, “and עשׁ (‛ayish) upon (or near - על ‛al) her sons, can you lead them?” Herder and Umbreit translate it as, “And lead forth the Bear with her young,” or her children.

The reference is to the constellation Arcturus, or Ursa Major, in the northern sky. The “sons” referred to are the stars that accompany it, probably the stars that are now called the “tail of the bear.” (Umbreit). Another interpretation suggested by Herder is that this constellation is represented as a nightly wanderer - a mother seeking her lost children (the stars that are no longer visible) and thus revolving around the heavens.

But the probable reference is to the constellation being conducted around and around the pole as if by an unseen hand, like a mother with her children. The question is whether Job had the skill and power to do this. God appeals to it as a manifestation of his majesty and power, and as something far above the skill of man. Whoever looked upon that beautiful constellation and observed its regular revolutions, without feeling that its position and movements were such as only God could produce?