Job37
New American Standard
1“At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place.
2Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.
3Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, And His lightning travels to the ends of the earth.
4After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain the lightning when His voice is heard.
5God thunders wondrously with His voice, Doing great things which we do not comprehend.
6For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’
7He seals the hand of every person, So that all people may know His work.
8Then the animal goes into its lair And remains in its den.
9From the south comes the storm, And from the north wind the cold.
10From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
11He also loads the clouds with moisture; He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
12It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.
13Whether for correction, or for His earth, Or for goodness, He causes it to happen.
14“Listen to this, Job; Stand and consider the wonders of God.
15Do you know how God establishes them, And makes the lightning of His clouds to shine?
16Do you know about the hovering of the clouds, The wonders of One who is perfect in knowledge,
17You whose garments are hot When the land is still because of the south wind?
18Can you, with Him, spread out the skies, Strong as a cast metal mirror?
19Teach us what we are to say to Him; We cannot present our case because of darkness.
20Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?
21“Now people do not see the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind has passed and cleared them.
22From the north comes golden splendor; Around God is awesome majesty.
23The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power And He will not violate justice and abundant righteousness.
24Therefore people fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 37.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Elihu observes the power of God. (1–13). Job required to explain the works of nature. (14–20). God is great, and is to be feared. (21–24).
vv1-13
The changes of the weather are the subject of a great deal of our thoughts and common talk; but how seldom do we think and speak of these things, as Elihu, with a regard to God, the director of them! We must notice the glory of God, not only in the thunder and lightning, but in the more common and less awful changes of the weather; as the snow and rain. Nature directs all creatures to shelter themselves from a storm; and shall man only be unprovided with a refuge? Oh that men would listen to the voice of God, who in many ways warns them to flee from the wrath to come; and invites them to accept his salvation, and to be happy. The ill opinion which men entertain of the Divine direction, peculiarly appears in their murmurs about the weather, though the whole result of the year proves the folly of their complaints. Believers should avoid this; no days are bad as God makes them, though we make many bad by our sins. (Job 37:14-20)
vv14-20
Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, So 4:16. The best of men are much in the dark concerning the glorious perfections of the Divine nature and the Divine government. Those who, through grace, know much of God, know nothing, in comparison with what is to be known, and of what will be known, when that which is perfect is come.
vv21-24
Elihu concludes his discourse with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often darken our minds, the Lord hath a wind which passes and clears them away. What is that wind? It is his Holy Spirit. As the wind dispels and sweeps away the clouds which are gathered in the air, so the Spirit of God clears our souls from the clouds and fogs of ignorance and unbelief, of sin and lust. From all these clouds the Holy Spirit of God frees us in the work of regeneration. And from all the clouds which trouble our consciences, the Holy Spirit sets us free in the work of consolation. Now that God is about to speak, Elihu delivers a few words, as the sum of all his discourse. With God is terrible majesty. Sooner or later all men shall fear him.
Key Words
זֹאת: this (often used adverb)
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
חָרַד: to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
נָתַר: to jump, i.e. be violently agitated; causatively, to terrify, shake off, untie
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מָקוֹם: properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
רֹגֶז: commotion, restlessness (of a horse), crash (of thunder), disquiet, anger
קוֹל: a voice or sound
הֶגֶה: a muttering (in sighing, thought, or as thunder)
Cross References
Job 37The connection of God's voice with the roaring of thunder is explicitly paralleled.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The southern region as the source chamber for violent storms and whirlwinds.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the incomprehensibility of God's greatness and number of his years.
Supported by JFB
The concept of God 'sealing' or stopping active operations of nature and man.
Supported by JFB
The 'chambers of the south' represents the hidden southern constellations or winds.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Both passages poetically describe the miraculous origin of ice and congealing of frost.
Supported by JFB
The gathering storm and thunder prepares the way for God's personal answer.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the noise of God's tabernacle and the spreadings of the clouds.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explicit prophetic reference to 'whirlwinds in the south' passing through.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The call to stand still and pleasurefully study the great works of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Provides historical background for skies like a hard 'molten looking glass' (bronze mirror).
Supported by JFB
Parallels beasts retreating to their dens and laying down in their places.
Supported by JFB
God using elements of weather both to judge and to provide food.
Supported by JFB
The New Testament observation of the south wind bringing dry, quiet heat.
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Elihu uses the phrase 'perfect in knowledge' here of God, previously of himself.
Supported by JFB