1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
1 At this H2063 also my heart H3820 trembleth, H2729 and is moved out H5425 of his place. H4725
2 Hear H8085 attentively H8085 the noise H7267 of his voice, H6963 and the sound H1899 that goeth out H3318 of his mouth. H6310
3 He directeth H3474 it H8281 under the whole heaven, H8064 and his lightning H216 unto the ends H3671 of the earth. H776
4 After H310 it a voice H6963 roareth: H7580 he thundereth H7481 with the voice H6963 of his excellency; H1347 and he will not stay H6117 them when his voice H6963 is heard. H8085
5 God H410 thundereth H7481 marvellously H6381 with his voice; H6963 great things H1419 doeth H6213 he, which we cannot comprehend. H3045
6 For he saith H559 to the snow, H7950 Be thou H1933 on the earth; H776 likewise to the small H4306 rain, H1653 and to the great H4306 rain H1653 of his strength. H5797
7 He sealeth up H2856 the hand H3027 of every man; H120 that all men H582 may know H3045 his work. H4639
8 Then the beasts H2416 go H935 into H1119 dens, H695 and remain H7931 in their places. H4585
9 Out of the south H2315 cometh H935 the whirlwind: H5492 and cold H7135 out of the north. H4215
10 By the breath H5397 of God H410 frost H7140 is given: H5414 and the breadth H7341 of the waters H4325 is straitened. H4164
11 Also by watering H7377 he wearieth H2959 the thick cloud: H5645 he scattereth H6327 his bright H216 cloud: H6051
12 And it is turned H2015 round about H4524 by his counsels: H8458 that they may do H6467 whatsoever he commandeth H6680 them upon the face H6440 of the world H8398 in the earth. H776
13 He causeth it to come, H4672 whether for correction, H7626 or for his land, H776 or for mercy. H2617
14 Hearken H238 unto this, O Job: H347 stand still, H5975 and consider H995 the wondrous H6381 works of God. H410
15 Dost thou know H3045 when God H433 disposed H7760 them, and caused the light H216 of his cloud H6051 to shine? H3313
16 Dost thou know H3045 the balancings H4657 of the clouds, H5645 the wondrous works H4652 of him which is perfect H8549 in knowledge? H1843
17 How thy garments H899 are warm, H2525 when he quieteth H8252 the earth H776 by the south H1864 wind?
18 Hast thou with him spread out H7554 the sky, H7834 which is strong, H2389 and as a molten H3332 looking glass? H7209
19 Teach H3045 us what we shall say H559 unto him; for we cannot order H6186 our speech by reason H6440 of darkness. H2822
20 Shall it be told H5608 him that I speak? H1696 if a man H376 speak, H559 surely he shall be swallowed up. H1104
21 And now men see H7200 not the bright H925 light H216 which is in the clouds: H7834 but the wind H7307 passeth, H5674 and cleanseth H2891 them.
22 Fair weather H2091 cometh H857 out of the north: H6828 with God H433 is terrible H3372 majesty. H1935
23 Touching the Almighty, H7706 we cannot find him out: H4672 he is excellent H7689 in power, H3581 and in judgment, H4941 and in plenty H7230 of justice: H6666 he will not afflict. H6031
24 Men H582 do therefore fear H3372 him: he respecteth H7200 not any that are wise H2450 of heart. H3820
1 Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place.
2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not `the lightnings' when his voice is heard.
5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know `it'.
8 Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens.
9 Out of the chamber `of the south' cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:
12 And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,
13 Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know how God layeth `his charge' upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south `wind'?
18 Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; `For' we cannot set `our speech' in order by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind passeth, and cleareth them.
22 Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon him terrible majesty.
23 `Touching' the Almighty, we cannot find him out He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict.
24 Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
1 Also, at this my heart trembleth, And it moveth from its place.
2 Hearken diligently to the trembling of His voice, Yea, the sound from His mouth goeth forth.
3 Under the whole heavens He directeth it, And its light `is' over the skirts of the earth.
4 After it roar doth a voice -- He thundereth with the voice of His excellency, And He doth not hold them back, When His voice is heard.
5 God thundereth with His voice wonderfully, Doing great things and we know not.
6 For to snow He saith, `Be `on' the earth.' And the small rain and great rain of His power.
7 Into the hand of every man he sealeth, For the knowledge by all men of His work.
8 And enter doth the beast into covert, And in its habitations it doth continue.
9 From the inner chamber cometh a hurricane, And from scatterings winds -- cold,
10 From the breath of God is frost given, And the breadth of waters is straitened,
11 Yea, by filling He doth press out a cloud, Scatter a cloud doth His light.
12 And it is turning itself round by His counsels, For their doing all He commandeth them, On the face of the habitable earth.
13 Whether for a rod, or for His land, Or for kindness -- He doth cause it to come.
14 Hear this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God.
15 Dost thou know when God doth place them, And caused to shine the light of His cloud?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of a cloud? The wonders of the Perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments `are' warm, In the quieting of the earth from the south?
18 Thou hast made an expanse with Him For the clouds -- strong as a hard mirror!
19 Let us know what we say to Him, We set not in array because of darkness.
20 Is it declared to Him that I speak? If a man hath spoken, surely he is swallowed up.
21 And now, they have not seen the light, Bright it `is' in the clouds, And the wind hath passed by and cleanseth them.
22 From the golden north it cometh, Beside God `is' fearful honour.
23 The Mighty! we have not found Him out, High in power and judgment, He doth not answer! And abundant in righteousness,
24 Therefore do men fear Him, He seeth not any of the wise of heart.
1 Aye, my heart trembleth at this also, and leapeth up out of its place:
2 Hear attentively the roar of his voice, and the murmur going forth from his mouth.
3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and holdeth not back the flashes when his voice is heard.
5 ùGod thundereth marvellously with his voice, doing great things which we do not comprehend.
6 For he saith to the snow, Fall on the earth! and to the pouring rain, even the pouring rains of his might.
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 And the wild beast goeth into its lair, and they remain in their dens.
9 From the chamber [of the south] cometh the whirlwind; and cold from the winds of the north.
10 By the breath of ùGod ice is given; and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also with plentiful moisture he loadeth the thick clouds, his light dispels the cloud;
12 And they are turned every way by his guidance, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the circuit of the earth,
13 Whether he cause it to come as a rod, or for his land, or in mercy.
14 Hearken unto this, Job; stand still and discern the wondrous works of ùGod.
15 Dost thou know how +God hath disposed them, and how he causeth the lightning of his cloud to flash?
16 Dost thou know about the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him that is perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments become warm when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, firm, like a molten mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him! We cannot order [our words] by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him if I would speak? if a man [so] say, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21 And now [men] see not the light as it gleameth, it is [hidden] in the skies. But the wind passeth by and cleareth them.
22 From the north cometh gold; with +God is terrible majesty.
23 The Almighty, we cannot find him out: excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice, he doth not afflict.
24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
1 "Yes, at this my heart trembles, And is moved out of its place.
2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, The sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He sends it forth under the whole sky, And his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty; He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;' Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 He seals up the hand of every man, That all men whom he has made may know it.
8 Then the animals take cover, And remain in their dens.
9 Out of its chamber comes the storm, And cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God, ice is given, And the breadth of the waters is frozen.
11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 It is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatever he commands them On the surface of the habitable world,
13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land, Or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14 "Listen to this, Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls them, And causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You whose clothing is warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky, Which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall tell him; For we can't make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 Now men don't see the light which is bright in the skies, But the wind passes, and clears them.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty.
23 We can't reach the Almighty, He is exalted in power; In justice and great righteousness he will not oppress.
24 Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."
1 At this my heart is shaking; it is moved out of its place.
2 Give ear to the rolling noise of his voice; to the hollow sound which goes out of his mouth.
3 He sends it out through all the heaven, and his thunder-flame to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice is sounding, thundering out the word of his power; he does not keep back his thunder-flames; from his mouth his voice is sounding.
5 He does wonders, more than may be searched out; great things of which we have no knowledge;
6 For he says to the snow, Make the earth wet; and to the rain-storm, Come down.
7 He puts an end to the work of every man, so that all may see his work.
8 Then the beasts go into their holes, and take their rest.
9 Out of its place comes the storm-wind, and the cold out of its store-houses.
10 By the breath of God ice is made, and the wide waters are shut in.
11 The thick cloud is weighted with thunder-flame, and the cloud sends out its light;
12 And it goes this way and that, round about, turning itself by his guiding, to do whatever he gives orders to be done, on the face of his world of men,
13 For a rod, or for a curse, or for mercy, causing it to come on the mark.
14 Give ear to this, O Job, and keep quiet in your place; and take note of the wonders worked by God.
15 Have you knowledge of God's ordering of his works, how he makes the light of his cloud to be seen?
16 Have you knowledge of the balancings of the clouds, the wonders of him who has all wisdom?
17 You, whose clothing is warm, when the earth is quiet because of the south wind,
18 Will you, with him, make the skies smooth, and strong as a polished looking-glass?
19 Make clear to me what we are to say to him; we are unable to put our cause before him, because of the dark.
20 How may he have knowledge of my desire for talk with him? or did any man ever say, May destruction come on me?
21 And now the light is not seen, for it is dark because of the clouds; but a wind comes, clearing them away.
22 A bright light comes out of the north; God's glory is greatly to be feared.
23 There is no searching out of the Ruler of all: his strength and his judging are great; he is full of righteousness, doing no wrong.
24 For this cause men go in fear of him; he has no respect for any who are wise in heart.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Job 37
Commentary on Job 37 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 37
Job 37:1-24.
1. At this—when I hear the thundering of the Divine Majesty. Perhaps the storm already had begun, out of which God was to address Job (Job 38:1).
2. Hear attentively—the thunder (noise), &c., and then you will feel that there is good reason to tremble.
sound—muttering of the thunder.
3. directeth it—however zigzag the lightning's course; or, rather, it applies to the pealing roll of the thunder. God's all-embracing power.
ends—literally, "wings," "skirts," the habitable earth being often compared to an extended garment (Job 38:13; Isa 11:12).
4. The thunderclap follows at an interval after the flash.
stay them—He will not hold back the lightnings (Job 37:3), when the thunder is heard [Maurer]. Rather, take "them" as the usual concomitants of thunder, namely, rain and hail [Umbreit] (Job 40:9).
5. (Job 36:26; Ps 65:6; 139:14). The sublimity of the description lies in this, that God is everywhere in the storm, directing it whither He will [Barnes]. See Ps 29:1-11, where, as here, the "voice" of God is repeated with grand effect. The thunder in Arabia is sublimely terrible.
6. Be—more forcible than "fall," as Umbreit translates Ge 1:3.
to the small rain, &c.—He saith, Be on the earth. The shower increasing from "small" to "great," is expressed by the plural "showers" (Margin), following the singular "shower." Winter rain (So 2:11).
7. In winter God stops man's out-of-doors activity.
sealeth—closeth up (Job 9:7). Man's "hands" are then tied up.
his work—in antithesis to man's own work ("hand") which at other times engages men so as to make them liable to forget their dependence on God. Umbreit more literally translates, That all men whom He has made (literally, "of His making") may be brought to acknowledgment."
8. remain—rest in their lairs. It is beautifully ordered that during the cold, when they could not obtain food, many lie torpid, a state wherein they need no food. The desolation of the fields, at God's bidding, is poetically graphic.
9. south—literally, "chambers"; connected with the south (Job 9:9). The whirlwinds are poetically regarded as pent up by God in His southern chambers, whence He sends them forth (so Job 38:22; Ps 135:7). As to the southern whirlwinds (see Isa 21:1; Zec 9:14), they drive before them burning sands; chiefly from February to May.
the north—literally, "scattering"; the north wind scatters the clouds.
10. the breath of God—poetically, for the ice-producing north wind.
frost—rather, "ice."
straitened—physically accurate; frost compresses or contracts the expanded liquid into a congealed mass (Job 38:29, 30; Ps 147:17, 18).
11-13. How the thunderclouds are dispersed, or else employed by God, either for correction or mercy.
by watering—by loading it with water.
wearieth—burdeneth it, so that it falls in rain; thus "wearieth" answers to the parallel "scattereth" (compare, see on Job 37:9); a clear sky resulting alike from both.
bright cloud—literally, "cloud of his light," that is, of His lightning. Umbreit for "watering," &c., translates; "Brightness drives away the clouds, His light scattereth the thick clouds"; the parallelism is thus good, but the Hebrew hardly sanctions it.
12. it—the cloud of lightning.
counsels—guidance (Ps 148:8); literally, "steering"; the clouds obey God's guidance, as the ship does the helmsman. So the lightning (see on Job 36:31, 32); neither is haphazard in its movements.
they—the clouds, implied in the collective singular "it."
face of the world, &c.—in the face of the earth's circle.
13. Literally, "He maketh it (the rain-cloud) find place," whether for correction, if (it be destined) for His land (that is, for the part inhabited by man, with whom God deals, as opposed to the parts uninhabited, on which rain is at other times appointed to fall, Job 38:26, 27) or for mercy. "If it be destined for His land" is a parenthetical supposition [Maurer]. In English Version, this clause spoils the even balance of the antithesis between the "rod" (Margin) and "mercy" (Ps 68:9; Ge 7:1-24).
14. (Ps 111:2).
15. when—rather, "how."
disposed them—lays His charge on these "wonders" (Job 37:14) to arise.
light—lightning.
shine—flash. How is it that light arises from the dark thundercloud?
16. Hebrew, "Hast thou understanding of the balancings," &c., how the clouds are poised in the air, so that their watery gravity does not bring them to the earth? The condensed moisture, descending by gravity, meets a warmer temperature, which dissipates it into vapor (the tendency of which is to ascend) and so counteracts the descending force.
perfect in knowledge—God; not here in the sense that Elihu uses it of himself (Job 36:4).
dost thou know—how, &c.
17. thy garments, &c.—that is, dost thou know how thy body grows warm, so as to affect thy garments with heat?
south wind—literally, "region of the south." "When He maketh still (and sultry) the earth (that is, the atmosphere) by (during) the south wind" (So 4:16).
18. with him—like as He does (Job 40:15).
spread out—given expanse to.
strong pieces—firm; whence the term "firmament" ("expansion," Ge 1:6, Margin; Isa 44:24).
molten looking glass—image of the bright smiling sky. Mirrors were then formed of molten polished metal, not glass.
19. Men cannot explain God's wonders; we ought, therefore, to be dumb and not contend with God. If Job thinks we ought, "let him teach us, what we shall say."
order—frame.
darkness—of mind; ignorance. "The eyes are bewilderingly blinded, when turned in bold controversy with God towards the sunny heavens" (Job 37:18) [Umbreit].
20. What I a mortal say against God's dealings is not worthy of being told Him. In opposition to Job's wish to "speak" before God (Job 13:3, 18-22).
if … surely he shall be swallowed up—The parallelism more favors Umbreit, "Durst a man speak (before Him, complaining) that he is (without cause) being destroyed?"
21. cleanseth—that is, cleareth the air of clouds. When the "bright light" of the sun, previously not seen through "clouds," suddenly shines out from behind them, owing to the wind clearing them away, the effect is dazzling to the eye; so if God's majesty, now hidden, were suddenly revealed in all its brightness, it would spread darkness over Job's eyes, anxious as he is for it (compare, see on Job 37:19) [Umbreit]. It is because now man sees not the bright sunlight (God's dazzling majesty), owing to the intervening "clouds" (Job 26:9), that they dare to wish to "speak" before God (Job 37:20). Prelude to God's appearance (Job 38:1). The words also hold true in a sense not intended by Elihu, but perhaps included by the Holy Ghost. Job and other sufferers cannot see the light of God's countenance through the clouds of trial: but the wind will soon clear them off, and God shall appear again: let them but wait patiently, for He still shines, though for a time they see Him not (see on Job 37:23).
22. Rather, "golden splendor." Maurer translates "gold." It is found in northern regions. But God cannot be "found out," because of His "Majesty" (Job 37:23). Thus the twenty-eighth chapter corresponds; English Version is simpler.
the north—Brightness is chiefly associated with it (see on Job 23:9). Here, perhaps, because the north wind clears the air (Pr 25:23). Thus this clause answers to the last of Job 37:21; as the second of this verse to the first of Job 37:21. Inverted parallelism. (See Isa 14:13; Ps 48:2).
with God—rather, "upon God," as a garment (Ps 104:1, 2).
majesty—splendor.
23. afflict—oppressively, so as to "pervert judgment" as Job implied (see on Job 8:3); but see on Job 37:21, end of note. The reading, "He answereth not," that is, gives no account of His dealings, is like a transcriber's correction, from Job 33:13, Margin.
24. do—rather, "ought."
wise—in their own conceits.