Teks -- Job 37:8-24 (NET)

37:8 The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain. 37:9 A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds. 37:10 The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid. 37:11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds. 37:12 The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world. 37:13 Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark. 37:14 “Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works. 37:15 Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud? 37:16 Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge? 37:17 You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind, 37:18 will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal? 37:19 Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness. 37:20 Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up! 37:21 But now, the sun cannot be looked at– it is bright in the skies– after a wind passed and swept the clouds away. 37:22 From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty. 37:23 As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress. 37:24 Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Job 37:9 - Cold

Freezing winds.

Wesley: Job 37:10 - The waters

The waters which had freely spread themselves before, are congealed and bound up in crystal fetters.

Wesley: Job 37:11 - Watering

The earth. They spend themselves and are exhausted watering the earth, until they are weary.

Wesley: Job 37:11 - Wearieth

Them with much water, and making them to go long journeys to water remote parts, and at last to empty themselves there: all which things make men weary; and therefore are here said to make the clouds weary by a common figure.

Wesley: Job 37:11 - Scattereth

As for the white and lightsome clouds, he scatters and dissolves them by the wind or sun.

Wesley: Job 37:12 - Turned

The clouds are carried about to this or that place. Not by chance (though nothing seems to be more casual than the motions of the clouds) but by his order and governance.

Wesley: Job 37:13 - Correction

To scourge or correct men by immoderate showers.

Wesley: Job 37:13 - Earth

The whole earth, which is said to be the Lord's, Psa 24:1, Psa 50:12, and so this may denote a general judgment by excessive rains inflicted upon the earth, and all its inhabitants, even the universal deluge, which came in great measure out of the clouds.

Wesley: Job 37:13 - Mercy

For the benefit of mankind and for the cooling of the air and improving the fruits of the earth.

Wesley: Job 37:14 - Consider

If there be so much matter of wonder in the most obvious works of God, how wonderful must his secret counsels be?

Wesley: Job 37:15 - Them

The things before mentioned, the clouds, rain, snow, and other meteors.

Wesley: Job 37:15 - Did God acquaint thee with his counsels in the producing and ordering of them? His cloud

Probably the rainbow, seated in a cloud, which may well be called God's cloud, because therein God puts his bow, Gen 9:13.

Wesley: Job 37:16 - Balancings

How God doth as it were weigh the clouds in balances, so that although they are full of water, yet they are kept up by the thin air.

Wesley: Job 37:17 - Quieteth

The air about the earth.

Wesley: Job 37:17 - From the south

By the sun's coming into the southern parts, which makes the air quiet and warm.

Wesley: Job 37:18 - With him

Wast thou his assistant in spreading out the sky like a canopy over the earth? Strong - Which though it be very thin and transparent, yet is also firm and compact and steadfast.

Wesley: Job 37:18 - Looking glass

Made of brass and steel, as the manner then was. Smooth and polished, without the least flaw. In this, as in a glass, we may behold the glory of God and the wisdom of his handy - work.

Wesley: Job 37:19 - Teach us

If thou canst.

Wesley: Job 37:19 - Say unto him

Of these things.

Wesley: Job 37:19 - Order

To maintain discourse with him, both because of the darkness of the matter, God's counsels being a great depth; and because of the darkness of our minds.

Wesley: Job 37:20 - Shall

I send a challenge to God, or a message that I am ready to debate with him concerning his proceedings? Speak - If a man should be so bold to enter the lists with God.

Wesley: Job 37:20 - Swallowed up

With the sense of his infinite majesty.

Wesley: Job 37:21 - Light

The sun; which is emphatically called light, and here the bright light: which men cannot behold or gaze on, when the sky is very clear: and therefore it is not strange if we cannot see God, or discern his counsels and ways.

Wesley: Job 37:21 - Them

The sky by driving away those clouds which darkened it.

Wesley: Job 37:22 - North

From the northern winds which scatter the clouds, and clear the sky. Elihu concludes with some short, but great sayings, concerning the glory of God. He speaks abruptly and in haste, because it should seem, he perceived God was approaching, and presumed he was about to take the work into his own hands.

Wesley: Job 37:23 - Find

We cannot comprehend him: his power, wisdom, justice, and his counsels proceeding from them are past our finding out.

Wesley: Job 37:23 - Power

Therefore as he doth not need any unrighteous action to advance himself, so he cannot do it, because all such things are acts of weakness.

Wesley: Job 37:23 - Judgment

In the just administration of judgment, he never did, nor can exercise that power unjustly, as Job seemed to insinuate.

Wesley: Job 37:23 - Afflict

Without just cause.

Wesley: Job 37:24 - Fear

Fear or reverence him, and humbly submit to him, and not presume to quarrel or dispute with him.

Wesley: Job 37:24 - Wise of heart

Wise in their own eyes.

JFB: Job 37:8 - 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.

JFB: Job 37:9 - 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; Psa 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.

JFB: Job 37:9 - the north

Literally, "scattering"; the north wind scatters the clouds.

JFB: Job 37:10 - the breath of God

Poetically, for the ice-producing north wind.

JFB: Job 37:10 - frost

Rather, "ice."

JFB: Job 37:10 - straitened

Physically accurate; frost compresses or contracts the expanded liquid into a congealed mass (Job 38:29-30; Psa 147:17-18).

JFB: Job 37:11-13

How the thunderclouds are dispersed, or else employed by God, either for correction or mercy.

JFB: Job 37:11-13 - by watering

By loading it with water.

JFB: Job 37:11-13 - 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.

JFB: Job 37:11-13 - 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.

JFB: Job 37:12 - it

The cloud of lightning.

JFB: Job 37:12 - counsels

Guidance (Psa 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.

JFB: Job 37:12 - they

The clouds, implied in the collective singular "it."

JFB: Job 37:12 - face of the world, &c.

In the face of the earth's circle.

JFB: Job 37:13

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" (Psa 68:9; Gen. 7:1-24).

JFB: Job 37:14

(Psa 111:2).

JFB: Job 37:15 - when

Rather, "how."

JFB: Job 37:15 - disposed them

Lays His charge on these "wonders" (Job 37:14) to arise.

JFB: Job 37:15 - light

Lightning.

JFB: Job 37:15 - shine

Flash. How is it that light arises from the dark thundercloud?

JFB: Job 37:16

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.

JFB: Job 37:16 - perfect in knowledge

God; not here in the sense that Elihu uses it of himself (Job 36:4).

JFB: Job 37:16 - dost thou know

How, &c.

JFB: Job 37:17 - thy garments, &c.

That is, dost thou know how thy body grows warm, so as to affect thy garments with heat?

JFB: Job 37:17 - south wind

Literally, "region of the south." "When He maketh still (and sultry) the earth (that is, the atmosphere) by (during) the south wind" (Son 4:16).

JFB: Job 37:18 - with him

Like as He does (Job 40:15).

JFB: Job 37:18 - spread out

Given expanse to.

JFB: Job 37:18 - strong pieces

Firm; whence the term "firmament" ("expansion," Gen 1:6, Margin; Isa 44:24).

JFB: Job 37:18 - molten looking glass

Image of the bright smiling sky. Mirrors were then formed of molten polished metal, not glass.

JFB: Job 37:19

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."

JFB: Job 37:19 - order

Frame.

JFB: Job 37:19 - darkness

Of mind; ignorance. "The eyes are bewilderingly blinded, when turned in bold controversy with God towards the sunny heavens" (Job 37:18) [UMBREIT].

JFB: Job 37:20

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, Job 13:18-22).

JFB: Job 37:20 - 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?"

JFB: Job 37:21 - 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).

JFB: Job 37:22

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.

JFB: Job 37:22 - the north

Brightness is chiefly associated with it (see on Job 23:9). Here, perhaps, because the north wind clears the air (Pro 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; Psa 48:2).

JFB: Job 37:22 - with God

Rather, "upon God," as a garment (Psa 104:1-2).

JFB: Job 37:22 - majesty

Splendor.

JFB: Job 37:23 - 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.

JFB: Job 37:24 - do

Rather, "ought."

JFB: Job 37:24 - wise

In their own conceits.

Clarke: Job 37:9 - Out of the south cometh the whirlwind

Out of the south cometh the whirlwind - See the note on Job 9:9. What is rendered south here, is there rendered chambers. Mr. Good translates here, the utmost zone. The Chaldee: - "From the supreme chamber the commotion shall come; and from the cataracts of Arcturus the cold."What the whirlwind, סופה suphah , is, we know not. It might have been a wind peculiar to that district; and it is very possible that it was a scorching wind, something like the simoom.

Clarke: Job 37:10 - By the breath of God frost is given

By the breath of God frost is given - The freezing of water, though it is generally allowed to be the effect of cold, and has been carefully examined by the most eminent philosophers, is still involved in much mystery; and is a very proper subject to be produced among the great things which God doeth, and which we cannot comprehend, Job 37:5. Water, when frozen, becomes solid, and increases considerably in bulk. The expansive power in freezing is so great, that, if water be confined in a gun-barrel, it will split the solid metal throughout its whole length. Bombshells have been filled with water, and plugged tight, and exposed to cold air, when they have been rent, though the shell has been nearly two inches thick! Attempts have been made to account for this; but they have not, as yet, been generally successful. The breath of God freezes the waters; and that breath thaws them. It is the work of Omnipotence, and there, for the present, we must leave it

Clarke: Job 37:10 - The breadth of the waters is straitened

The breadth of the waters is straitened - This has been variously translated; מוצק mutsak , which we here render straitened, we translate Job 37:18 melted. Mr. Good thinks that the idea of a mirror is implied, or something molten; and on this ground it may be descriptive of the state of water formed into ice. He therefore translates: -

By the blast of God the frost congealeth

And the expanse of the waters into a mirror

I have only to observe, that in the act of freezing wind or air is necessary; for it has been observed that water which lay low in ponds did not freeze till some slight current of air fell on and ruffled the surface, when it instantly shot into ice.

Clarke: Job 37:11 - By watering he wearieth the thick cloud

By watering he wearieth the thick cloud - Perhaps it would be better to say, The brightness ברי beri , dissipates the cloud; or, if we follow our version, By watering the earth he wearieth, wearieth out or emptieth, the thick cloud - causes it to pour down all its contents upon the earth, that they may cause it to bring forth and bud. The Vulgate understood it differently: Frumentum desiderat nubes, et nubes spargunt lumen suum. "The grain desireth the clouds; and the clouds scatter abroad their light."

Clarke: Job 37:12 - And it is turned round about by his counsels

And it is turned round about by his counsels - The original is difficult: והוא מסבות מתהפך בתחבולתו vehu mesibboth mithhappech bethachbulothav ; which has been thus paraphrased: And he - the sun, makes revolutions - causes the heavenly bodies to revolve round him, turning round himself - turning round his own axis, by his attachments - his attractive and repulsive influences, by which the heavenly bodies revolve round him, and by which, as if strongly tied to their center, בחבל bechebel , with a cable or rope, they are projected to their proper distances, and prevented from coming too near, or flying off too far

Clarke: Job 37:12 - That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them

That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them - That men may perform his will, availing themselves of the influences of the sun, moon, times, seasons, etc., to cultivate the earth for the sustenance of themselves and their cattle

Clarke: Job 37:12 - Upon the face of the world in the earth

Upon the face of the world in the earth - אל פני תבל ארצה al peney thebel aretsah , over the surface of the habitable world. Perhaps the above exposition may appear to be too far-fetched; and possibly the passage refers only to the revolutions of the seasons, and the operations connected with them.

Clarke: Job 37:13 - He causeth it to come

He causeth it to come - The Vulgate translates the text thus: Sive in una tribu, sine in terra sua, sive in quocunque loco misericordiae suae eas jusserit inveniri . "Whether in one tribe, or whether in his own land, or in whatsoever place of his mercy he has commanded them to come."In the preceding verse it is said that God conducts the clouds according to the orders of his counsels, whithersoever he pleases: and here it is added that, when he designs to heap favors upon any land, he commands the clouds to go thither, and pour out on it their fertilizing showers. See Calmet. The Vulgate certainly gives a good sense, and our common version is also clear and intelligble; but there are doubts whether the Hebrew will bear this meaning. Here it is stated that God sends the rain either for correction, לשבט leshebet , which signifies rod, staff, tribe, and is here taken as the symbol of correction, he sends rain sometimes as a judgment, inundating certain lands, and sweeping away their produce by irresistible floods: or for his land, לארצו leartso , his own land, Palestine, the place of his favored people: or for mercy, לחסד lechesed ; when a particular district has been devoured by locusts, or cursed with drought, God, in his mercy, sends fertilizing rains to such places to restore the ears which the caterpillars have eaten, and to make the desert blossom like the garden of the Lord. Some think that Job refers to the curse brought upon the old world by the waters of the deluge. Now although God has promised that there shall no more be a flood of waters to destroy the whole earth; yet we know he can, very consistently with his promise, inundate any particular district; or, by a superabundance of rain, render the toil of the husbandman in any place vain. Therefore, still his rain may come for judgment, for mercy, or for the especial help of his people or Church.

Clarke: Job 37:14 - Hearken unto this

Hearken unto this - Hear what I say on the part of God. Stand still - Enter into deep contemplation on the subject

Clarke: Job 37:14 - And consider

And consider - Weigh every thing; examine separately and collectively; and draw right conclusions from the whole

Clarke: Job 37:14 - The wondrous works of God

The wondrous works of God - Endless in their variety; stupendous in their structure; complicated in their parts; indescribable in their relations and connections; and incomprehensible in the mode of their formation, in the cohesion of their parts, and in the ends of their creation.

Clarke: Job 37:15 - Dost thou know when God disposed them

Dost thou know when God disposed them - Dost thou know the laws by which they are governed; and the causes which produce such and such phenomena

Clarke: Job 37:15 - And caused the light of his cloud to shine?

And caused the light of his cloud to shine? - Almost every critic of note understands this of the rainbow, which God gave as a sign that the earth should no more be destroyed by water. See Gen 9:13 (note), and the note there.

Clarke: Job 37:16 - Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds - How are the clouds suspended in the atmosphere? Art thou so well acquainted with the nature of evaporation, and the gravity of the air at different heights, to support different weights of aqueous vapor, so as to keep them floating for a certain portion of time, and then let them down to water the earth; dost thou know these things so as to determine the laws by which they are regulated

Clarke: Job 37:16 - Wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge

Wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge - This is a paraphrase. Mr. Good’ s translation is much better: -

"Wonders, perfections of wisdom!"

Clarke: Job 37:17 - How thy garments are warm

How thy garments are warm - What are warmth and cold? How difficult this question! Is heat incontestably a substance, and is cold none? I am afraid we are in the dark on both these subjects. The existence of caloric, as a substance, is supposed to be demonstrated. Much, satisfactorily, has been said on this subject; but is it yet beyond doubt? I fear not. But supposing this question to be set at rest, is it demonstrated that cold is only a quality, the mere absence of heat? If it be demonstrated that there is such a substance as caloric, is it equally certain that there is no such substance as frigoric? But how do our garments keep us warm? By preventing the too great dissipation of the natural heat. And why is it that certain substances, worked into clothing, keep us warmer than others? Because they are bad conductors of caloric. Some substances conduct off the caloric or natural heat from the body; others do not conduct it at all, or imperfectly; hence those keep us warmest which, being bad conductors of caloric, do not permit the natural heat to be thrown off. In these things we know but little, after endless cares, anxieties, and experiments

But is the question yet satisfactorily answered, why the north wind brings cold, and the south wind heat? If it be so to my readers, it is not so to me; yet I know the reasons which are alleged.

Clarke: Job 37:18 - Hast thou with him spread out the sky

Hast thou with him spread out the sky - Wert thou with him when he made the expanse; fitted the weight to the winds; proportioned the aqueous to the terrene surface of the globe; the solar attraction to the quantum of vapours necessary; to be stored up in the clouds, in order to be occasionally deposited in fertilizing showers upon the earth? and then dost thou know how gravity and elasticity should be such essential properties of atmospheric air, that without them and their due proportions, we should neither have animal nor vegetable life

Clarke: Job 37:18 - Strong - as a molten looking-glass?

Strong - as a molten looking-glass? - Like a molten mirror. The whole concave of heaven, in a clear day or brilliant night, being like a mass of polished metal, reflecting or transmitting innumerable images.

Clarke: Job 37:19 - Teach us what we shall say unto him?

Teach us what we shall say unto him? - Thou pretendest to be so very wise, and to know every thing about God, pray make us as wise as thyself, that we may be able to approach with thy boldness the Sovereign of the world; and maintain our cause with thy confidence before him. As for our parts, we are ignorant; and, on all these subjects, are enveloped with darkness. Mr. Good translates: -

"Teach us how we may address him

When arrayed in robes of darkness.

It is a strong and biting irony, however we take it.

Clarke: Job 37:20 - Shall it be told him that I speak?

Shall it be told him that I speak? - Shall I dare to whisper even before God? And suppose any one were to accuse me before him for what I have spoken of him, though that has been well intended, how should I be able to stand in his presence? I should be swallowed up in consternation, and consumed with the splendor of his majesty. But in what state art thou? What hast thou been doing? Thou hast arraigned God for his government of the world; thou hast found fault with the dispensations of his providence; thou hast even charged him with cruelty! What will become of Thee?

Clarke: Job 37:21 - And now men see not the bright light

And now men see not the bright light - Mr. Good gives the sense clearer: -

"Even now we cannot look at the ligh

When it is resplendent in the heavens

And a wind from the north hath passed along and cleared them.

Elihu seems to refer to the insufferable brightness of the sun. Can any man look at the sun shining in his strength, when a clear and strong wind has purged the sky from clouds and vapours? Much less can any gaze on the majesty of God. Every creature must sink before him. What execrably dangerous folly in man to attempt to arraign His conduct!

Clarke: Job 37:22 - Fair weather cometh out of the north

Fair weather cometh out of the north - Is this any version of the original מצפון זהב יאתה mitstsaphon zahab yeetheh ? which is rendered by almost every version, ancient and modern, thus, or to this effect: "From the north cometh gold."Calmet justly remarks, that in the time of Moses, Job, and Solomon, and for a long time after, gold was obtained from Colchis, Armenia, Phasis, and the land of Ophir, which were all north of Judea and Idumea; and are in the Scriptures ordinarily termed the north country. "But what relation can there be between, Gold cometh out of the north, and, With God is terrible majesty?"Answer: Each thing has its properties, and proper characteristics, which distinguish it; and each country has its advantages. Gold, for instance, comes from the northern countries; so praises offered to the Supreme God should be accompanied with fear and trembling: and as this metal is from the north, and northern countries are the places whence it must be procured; so terrible majesty belongs to God, and in him alone such majesty is eternally resident. As זהב zahob , which we translate gold, (see Job 28:16), comes from a root that signifies to be clear, bright, resplendent, etc.; Mr. Good avails himself of the radical idea, and translates it splendor: -

"Splendor itself is with God

Insufferable majesty.

But he alters the text a little to get this meaning, particularly in the word יאתה yeetheh , which we translate cometh, and which he contends is the pronoun אתה itself; the י yod , as a performative, here being, as he thinks, an interpolation. This makes a very good sense; but none of the ancient versions understood the place thus, and none of the MSS. countenance this very learned critic’ s emendation.

Clarke: Job 37:23 - Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out - This is a very abrupt exclamation, and highly descriptive of the state of mind in which Elihu was at this time; full of solemnity, wonder, and astonishment, at his own contemplation of this "great First Cause, least understood."The Almighty! we cannot find him out

Clarke: Job 37:23 - Excellent in power and in judgment

Excellent in power and in judgment - We must not pretend to comprehend his being, the mode of his existence, the wisdom of his counsels, nor the mysteries of his conduct

Clarke: Job 37:23 - He will not afflict

He will not afflict - לא יענה la yeanneh , he will not Answer. He will give account of none of his matters to us. We cannot comprehend his motives, nor the ends he has in view.

Clarke: Job 37:24 - Men do therefore

Men do therefore - Therefore men, אנשים anashim , wretched, miserable, ignorant, sinful men, should fear him

Clarke: Job 37:24 - He respecteth not any

He respecteth not any - No man is valuable in his sight on account of his wisdom; for what is his wisdom when compared with that of the Omniscient? Whatever good is in man, God alone is the author of it. Let him, therefore, that glorieth, glory in the Lord

Thus ends the speech of Elihu; a speech of a widely different description, on the whole, from that of the three friends of Job who had spoken so largely before him. In the speeches of Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad, there is little besides a tissue of borrowed wise sayings, and ancient proverbs and maxims, relative to the nature of God, and his moral government of the world. In the speech of Elihu every thing appears to be original; he speaks from a deep and comprehensive mind, that had profoundly studied the subjects on which he discoursed. His descriptions of the Divine attributes, and of the wonderful works of God, are correct, splendid, impressive, and inimitable. Elihu, having now come nearly to a close, and knowing that the Almighty would appear and speak for himself, judiciously prepares for and announces his coming by the thunder and lightning of which he has given so terrific and majestic a description in this and the preceding chapter. The evidences of the Divine presence throng on his eyes and mind; the incomprehensible glory and excellency of God confound all his powers of reasoning and description; he cannot arrange his words by reason of darkness; and he concludes with stating, that to poor weak man God must for ever be incomprehensible, and to him a subject of deep religious fear and reverence. Just then the terrible majesty of the Lord appears! Elihu is silent! The rushing mighty wind, for which the description of the thunder and lightning had prepared poor, confounded, astonished Job, proclaims the presence of Jehovah: and out of this whirlwind God answers for and proclaims himself! Reader, canst thou not conceive something of what these men felt? Art thou not astonished, perplexed, confounded, in reading over these descriptions of the thunder of God’ s power? Prepare, then, to hear the voice of God himself out of this whirlwind.

Defender: Job 37:11 - wearieth the thick cloud

Although the language is figurative, the meteorology is accurate. The mystery of the "balancing of the clouds," keeping them aloft against the force of gravity, is mentioned in Job 26:8 and Job 37:16. This mystery has been solved by modern science, so that it is now understood that the droplets of liquid water in the clouds are kept aloft by the force exerted by updrafts of wind. When the droplets coalesce to form large drops of water, however, then their weight can overcome these forces and the drops will fall to the ground as rain or snow. That is, by increased watering, the clouds become thick and can no longer maintain their stability, being wearied, so to speak (Job 36:27, Job 36:28). The condensation of water vapor into droplets and then into raindrops or snowflakes is apparently facilitated by electrical discharges in the atmosphere - the lightning, then thunder, then rain or snow (Job 37:3-6)."

Defender: Job 37:22 - out of the north

The word translated "fair weather" (Hebrew zahab) is used over 175 times in the Old Testament, but is translated "gold" in every instance except here. Thus it probably should read: "Gold cometh out of the north." Almost certainly this refers to the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis , suggesting the terrible majesty of their Creator."

TSK: Job 37:8

Psa 104:22

TSK: Job 37:9 - south // the whirlwind // north

south : Heb. chamber, Job 9:9; Psa 104:3

the whirlwind : Job 38:1; Isa 21:1; Zec 9:14

north : Heb. scattering winds

TSK: Job 37:10

Job 38:29, Job 38:30; Psa 78:47, Psa 147:16-18

TSK: Job 37:11 - he wearieth // he scattereth // his bright cloud

he wearieth : Job 36:27, Job 36:28

he scattereth : Job 36:30, Job 36:32; Isa 18:4; Mat 17:5

his bright cloud : Heb. the cloud of his light

TSK: Job 37:12 - it // that

it : Psa 65:9, Psa 65:10, Psa 104:24; Jer 14:22; Joe 2:23; Amo 4:7

that : Psa 148:8; Jam 5:17, Jam 5:18; Rev 11:6

TSK: Job 37:13 - whether // correction // for his // for mercy

whether : Job 37:6, Job 36:31, Job 38:37, Job 38:38; Exo 9:18-25; 1Sa 12:18, 1Sa 12:19; Ezr 10:9

correction : Heb. a rod

for his : Job 38:26, Job 38:27

for mercy : 2Sa 21:10, 2Sa 21:14; 1Ki 18:45; Joe 2:23

TSK: Job 37:14 - stand // consider

stand : Exo 14:13; Psa 46:10; Hab 2:20

consider : Job 26:6-14, Job 36:24; Psa 111:2, Psa 145:5, Psa 145:6, Psa 145:10-12

TSK: Job 37:15 - Dost // the light

Dost : Job 28:24-27, Job 34:13, 38:4-41; Psa 119:90, Psa 119:91; Isa 40:26

the light : Job 37:11, Job 36:30-32, Job 38:24, Job 38:25

TSK: Job 37:16 - the balancings // perfect

the balancings : Job 26:8, Job 36:29; Psa 104:2, Psa 104:3; Isa 40:22; Jer 10:13

perfect : Job 36:4; Psa 104:24, Psa 147:5; Pro 3:19, Pro 3:20; Jer 10:12

TSK: Job 37:17 - he

he : Job 6:17, Job 38:31; Psa 147:18; Luk 12:55

TSK: Job 37:18 - spread // as

spread : Job 9:8, Job 9:9; Gen 1:6-8; Psa 104:2, Psa 148:4-6, Psa 150:1; Pro 8:27; Isa 40:12, Isa 40:22; Isa 44:24

as : Exo 38:8

TSK: Job 37:19 - Teach // we

Teach : Job 12:3, Job 13:3, Job 13:6

we : Job 26:14, Job 28:20, Job 28:21, Job 38:2, Job 42:3; Psa 73:16, Psa 73:17, Psa 73:22, Psa 139:6; Pro 30:2-4; 1Co 13:12; 1Jo 3:2

TSK: Job 37:20 - Shall it // surely

Shall it : Psa 139:4; Mat 12:36, Mat 12:37

surely : Job 6:3, Job 11:7, Job 11:8

TSK: Job 37:21

Job 26:9, Job 36:32, Job 38:25

TSK: Job 37:22 - Fair // with

Fair : Heb. Gold weather, Pro 25:23

with : Job 40:10; 1Ch 29:11; Psa 29:4, Psa 66:5, Psa 68:7, Psa 68:8, Psa 76:12, Psa 93:1, Psa 104:1, Psa 145:5; Isa 2:10, Isa 2:19; Mic 5:4; Nah 1:3; Hab. 3:3-19; Heb 1:3, Heb 12:29; Jud 1:25

TSK: Job 37:23 - we // excellent // in judgment // he will

we : Job 37:19, Job 11:7, Job 26:14, Job 36:26; Pro 30:3, Pro 30:4; Ecc 3:11; Luk 10:22; Rom 11:33; 1Ti 6:16

excellent : Job 9:4, Job 9:19, Job 12:13, Job 36:5; Psa 62:11, Psa 65:6, Psa 66:3, Psa 93:1, Psa 99:4, Psa 146:6, Psa 146:7; Isa 45:21; Mat 6:13

in judgment : Psa 36:5-7

he will : Job 16:7-17; Psa 30:5; Lam 3:32, Lam 3:33; Heb 12:10

TSK: Job 37:24 - fear // he

fear : Psa 130:4; Jer 32:39, Jer 33:9; Hos 3:5; Mat 10:28; Luk 12:4, Luk 12:5; Rom 2:4; Rom 11:20-22

he : Job 5:13; Ecc 9:11; Isa 5:21; Mat 11:25, Mat 11:26; Luk 10:21; 1Co 1:26, 1Co 3:19

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Job 37:8 - Then

Then in great rains or deep snows, the beasts go into dens for shelter and comfort.

Poole: Job 37:9 - Out of the south // The whirlwind // Cold

Out of the south Heb. out of the inner chamber ; as the southern part of the world is called, because in a great part it was and is hid and unknown to those who live in the northern hemisphere, in which Job’ s habitation lay. Or, out of the chambers of the south , as it is more largely expressed, Job 9:9 ; for this is opposed to the north in the following clause.

The whirlwind violent and stormy winds which in those parts most frequently came-out of the south, whence they are called whirlwinds of the south , Zec 9:14 . So also Isa 21:1 .

Cold i.e. cold and freezing winds, which generally come from that quarter.

Poole: Job 37:10 - By the breath of God // The breadth of the waters is straitened

By the breath of God i.e. by the word of God, as this very phrase is explained, Psa 33:6 ; by his will or appointment, to which as the principal cause all these works are ascribed.

The breadth of the waters is straitened the frost dries up the waters in great measure, and bringeth the remainder into a narrower compass, as we see.

Poole: Job 37:11 - By watering // He wearieth the thick cloud // He scattereth his bright cloud

By watering to wit, the earth; by causing them first to receive and return, and then to pour forth abundance of water.

He wearieth the thick cloud by filling and burdening them with much water, and making them to go long journeys to water remote parts, and at last to spend and empty themselves there; all which things make men weary; and therefore are here said to make the clouds weary by a common figure called prosopopoeia .

He scattereth his bright cloud: as for the white and lightsome clouds, (which are opposed to the thick and black clouds in the former clause,) he scattereth and dissolveth them by the wind or sun. Or, he scattereth other clouds by his light , i.e. by the beams of the sun. So he gathereth some, and scattereth others, as he pleaseth, causing either clear, or dark and rainy weather.

Poole: Job 37:12 - It is turned round about // By his counsels // That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them

It is turned round about the clouds (now mentioned) are carried about to this or that place.

By his counsels not by chance, (though nothing seems to be more casual and uncertain than the motions of the clouds,) but by his order and governance.

That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them either be dispersed and pass away without effect, to the disappointment of the husbandmen’ s hopes, or be dissolved in sweet and fruitful showers.

Poole: Job 37:13 - He causeth it to come // For correction // For his land // For mercy

He causeth it to come Heb. he maketh it (to wit, the cloud, or clouds, and the rain which is in it) to find , to wit, a path, or to find out the persons or place to which God intends either good or hurt by it.

For correction Heb. for a rod , to scourge or correct men by immoderate showers. Or, for a tribe, or certain portion of land, which God intends particularly to punish in that kind.

For his land i.e. for God’ s land, whereby he understands either,

1. The land which he favoureth, and where his servants live, such as Canaan was, which for that reason God blessed with rain, as is noted, Deu 11:12 Psa 68:9,10 . But in Job’ s time God’ s people were not in Canaan, but in Egypt, where little or no rain fell. Or,

2. The uninhabited or desert parts of the world, which may be called God’ s land peculiarly, because it is immediately and only under God’ s care, as being not regarded nor possessed by any man. For it is noted as a special act of God’ s providence, that he causeth rain to fall upon such places, Job 38:26,27 . Or,

3. His earth , as it may be rendered, to wit, the whole earth, which is said to be the Lord’ s , Psa 24:50:12 , and which may be here opposed to a tribe , or little part of the earth. And so this may note a general judgment by excessive rains inflicted upon the whole earth, and all its inhabitants, even the universal deluge, which then was in a manner of fresh memory, which came in a great measure out of the clouds. And thus these two first members speak of correction, and the last of mercy.

For mercy for the comfort and benefit of mankind, by cooling and cleansing the air, and refreshing and improving all the fruits of the earth, and other ways.

Poole: Job 37:14

If there be so much matter of wonder and adoration in the most obvious and sensible works of God, how wonderful must his deep and secret counsels and judgments be! And therefore it would better become thee humbly to admire, and quietly to submit to them, than to murmur or quarrel with them.

Poole: Job 37:15 - When God disposed them // Caused the light of his cloud to shine

When God disposed them to wit, the things before mentioned, the clouds, rain, snow, thunder and lightning, and other meteors. Did God ask counsel from thee to acquaint thee with his counsels in the producing and ordering of them, when, and where, and in what manner he should dispose them? God ordereth all these things not as it pleaseth thee, but as he thinks meet; and in like manner he disposeth of all human affairs, and of thine among the rest.

Caused the light of his cloud to shine which may be understood either,

1. Of the light of the sun breaking through the clouds, when it is most glorious and comfortable. But though this light break through the clouds, yet it is very improper to call it the light of the clouds . Or,

2. The lightning, which is properly so called, as being produced by and in a cloud. Or,

3. The rainbow, which is a lightsome and glorious work of God, and therefore not likely to be omitted in this place, and which is seated in a cloud, which also may well be called God’ s cloud, because therein God puts his bow , as the rainbow is called, Gen 9:13 .

Poole: Job 37:16 - The balancings // Which is perfect in knowledge

The balancings how God doth as it were weigh and suspend the clouds in balances; so that although they are ponderous and flail of water, yet they are by his power kept up in the thin air from falling down upon us in spouts and floods, as sometimes they have done, and generally would do, if not overruled by a higher Providence.

Which is perfect in knowledge who exactly knows the weight. These are effects and evidences of his infinite power and knowledge.

Poole: Job 37:17 - The earth // By the south wind // by the south

How and why thy garments keep thee warm; of which as there are some natural causes, so it is certain that they are not sufficient to do it without God’ s blessing, as experience shows, Hag 1:6 .

The earth i.e. the air about the earth.

By the south wind which though sometimes it brings tempests, Job 37:9 , yet commonly it ushereth in hot weather, Luk 12:55 , as the north wind brings cold, Job 37:9 . Or, from the south wind , i.e. from the tempest, which was noted to come out of the south, Job 37:9 . Heb. from or

by the south i.e. by the sun’ s coming into the southern parts, which makes the air quiet and warm.

Poole: Job 37:18 - Which is strong // As a molten looking-glass

Wast thou his co-worker or assistant in spreading out the sky like a tent or canopy over the earth? or canst thou spread out such another sky? Then indeed thou mayst with some colour pretend to be privy to his counsels, and to judge of his works.

Which is strong which though it be very thin and transparent, yet is also firm, and compact, and stedfast, and of great force when it is pent up.

As a molten looking-glass made of brass or steel, as the manner then was.

Poole: Job 37:19 - Unto him // We cannot order our speech // By reason of darkness

Unto him i.e. unto God, either by way of apology for thee; or rather, by way of debate and disputation with him about his counsels and ways: about which we know not what to say, and therefore are willing to be taught by thee, who pretendest to such exquisite knowledge of these matters. So it is a reproof of his presumption and arrogance.

We cannot order our speech we know neither with what words or matter, nor in what method and manner, to maintain discourse with him, or plead against him. The words our speech are easily understood out of the former clause of the verse.

By reason of darkness both because of the darkness of the matter, God’ s counsels and ways being a great depth, and far out of our reach; and because of the darkness or blindness of our minds.

Poole: Job 37:20 - That I speak // If a man speak // He shall be swallowed up

That I speak Heb. that I will speak . Shall I send, or who dare carry, a challenge from me to God, or a message that I am ready and desirous to debate with him concerning his proceedings? This indeed thou hast done in effect, but far be such presumption from me.

If a man speak if a man should be so bold and venturous to enter the lists with God.

He shall be swallowed up with the sense of God’ s infinite majesty and spotless purity.

Poole: Job 37:21 - And // Now // In the clouds // But the wind passeth

And or, for , as this particle is oft rendered; the following words containing a reason of those which go before.

Now: this particle is either,

1. A note of time, and so it intimates a sudden change which then was in the weather, which having been very dark, began now to clear up; or rather,

2. A note of inference to usher in the argument. Men see not ; either,

1. Do not observe (as seeing is oft used) nor consider these glorious works of God; or,

2. Cannot behold, or at least not gaze upon it.

In the clouds or, in the skies ; for the Hebrew word signifies both clouds and skies. This is to be understood, either,

1. Of bright and lightsome clouds; or rather,

2. Of the sun, which is oft and emphatically called light, as was noted before, and here the bright light; which men ofttimes cannot behold, either when it is covered with a black and thick cloud; or when, as it follows, the sky is very clear, and consequently the sunshine is very bright. And therefore it is not strange if we cannot see God, who dwelleth in darkness, 1Ki 8:12 , nor discern his counsels and ways, which are covered with great obscurity; and if we dare not approach to him, with whom is, as it here follows, terrible majesty; and if we presume to do so, we must needs be swallowed up, as was said, Job 37:20 .

But the wind passeth or rather, when (as this particle is used) the wind passeth. Cleanseth them; earlier the clouds, i.e. cleanseth the air from them; or the skies, by driving away those clouds which darkened it.

Poole: Job 37:22 - Fair weather // Out of the north // With God is terrible majesty

Fair weather or, when (which particle may well be understood out of, the foregoing verse; and so this may be a further description of the time when men cannot see or gaze upon the sun, namely, when) fair weather , &c. Heb. gold ; either,

1. Properly. And so this may be noted as another wonderful work of God, that the choicest of metals, to wit, gold, should be found in and fetched out of the bowels of cold northern countries. Or,

2. Metaphorically, as this word is oft used of bright and shining things; as we read of golden oil , Zec 4:12 , and we call happy times golden days . And so bright and fair weather may well be called golden, because then the sun gilds the air and earth with its beams, which also are called by poets golden beams.

Out of the north i.e. from the northern winds, which scatter the clouds, and clear the sky, Pro 25:23 .

With God is terrible majesty and therefore we neither can nor may approach too near to him, nor speak presumptuously or irreverently to him, or of him. And so this is the application of what he had now said, that we could not see the sun, &c, much less God; and withal it is an epiphonema or conclusion of the whole foregoing discourse. Those glorious works of his which I have described, are testimonies of that great and terrible majesty which is in him; which should cause us to fear and reverence him, and not to behave ourselves so insolently towards him, as Job hath done.

Poole: Job 37:23 - We cannot find him out // He is excellent in power // In judgment // In plenty of justice // He will not afflict // will not afflict // he is excellent in power // yet, he will not afflict // justice

We cannot find him out to wit, to perfection, as it is expressed, Job 11:7 . We cannot comprehend him; his being, power, wisdom, justice, and his counsels proceeding from them, are past our finding out; and therefore it is most absurd and intolerable that thou, O Job, presumest to censure what thou dost not understand.

He is excellent in power and therefore as he doth not need any unrighteous action to advance himself, so he cannot do it, because all such things are acts and evidences of impotency or weakness.

In judgment i.e. in the just and righteous administration of judgment, as this word is oft used, and as the thing itself and the following words plainly evince. And this he adds, to intimate that although God had indeed a power to crush Job, or any other man, yet he never did nor can exercise that power unjustly or tyrannically, as Job seemed to insinuate.

In plenty of justice in great and perfect justice, such as no man can justly reproach.

He will not afflict to wit, without just cause, and above measure; as it may and must be limited, both from the foregoing words, and from Job’ s complaint, which was of that very thing; and from the nature of the thing, because otherwise this proposition, that God

will not afflict is not simply and universally true. Or these last words may be joined with the former; and so some render the place,

he is excellent in power and, or but , or

yet, he will not afflict any man with judgment and much (i.e. too much)

justice i.e. with extremity or rigour of justice.

Poole: Job 37:24 - Men do therefore fear him // He respecteth not // Any that are wise of heart

Men do therefore fear him for this cause, to wit, because of God’ s infinite and excellent perfections, and especially those mentioned in the foregoing verse, men do or should (for the future tense is oft used potentially, as Hebricians know) fear or reverence him , and humbly submit to him, and not presume to quarrel or dispute with him, as thou, O Job, hast done.

He respecteth not Heb. he doth not , or will not behold , to wit, with respect or approbation; he beholdeth them afar off with scorn and contempt.

Any that are wise of heart i. e. such as are wise in their own eyes, that lean to their own understandings, and despise all other men in comparison of themselves, and scorn all their counsels; that are so puffed up with the opinion of their own wisdom, that they dare contend with their Maker, and presume to censure his counsels and actions; which he hereby intimates to be Job’ s fault, and to be the true reason why God did not respect nor regard him, nor his prayers and tears, as Job complained. And so this is also a tacit advice and exhortation to Job to be humble and little ill his own eyes, if ever he expected or desired any favour from God.

Haydock: Job 37:8 - Den

Den. Foreseeing the tempest and retreating for shelter.

Haydock: Job 37:9 - Parts // North // Mezarim

Parts. The south, (chap. ix. 9.) whence storms commonly came in that country, (Calmet) from the sea or desert of Idumea. (Haydock) (Psalm lxxvii. 26., and Zacharias ix. 14., and Isaias xxi. 1.) ---

North wind or pole. (Worthington) ---

Yet the south seems to be designated; (ver. 17., and chap. xxxviii. 32.) though cold comes from the north, in Idumea as well as here. (Calmet) ---

Mezarim, is rendered by Protestants "north." Marginal note, "scattering winds. " Septuagint Greek: akroterion, "summits" of mountains.

Haydock: Job 37:10 - Abundantly

Abundantly. He cause it to freeze or rain at pleasure. (Haydock) (Psalm cxlvii. 17.) (Menochius)

Haydock: Job 37:11 - Corn // Light

Corn requires rain. (Haydock) ---

Light. As they are transparent, they do not hinder the sun from appearing. Hebrew, "the brightness of the sky disperses the clouds, and the clouds shed their light" in the rainbow, (ver. 15.; Grotius) or lightning. (Junius; Calmet; Menochius) ---

Protestants, "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," &c. God prohibits or gives rain. (Haydock) ---

Nothing is left to chance. (Calmet) ---

He directeth the clouds as a master does his ship. (Worthington)

Haydock: Job 37:13 - Tribe // Land

Tribe. Hebrew also, "for correction." (Haydock) (Amos iv. 7.) ---

Land of promise, Psalm lxvii. 10.

Haydock: Job 37:15 - Light

Light: the rain-bow, according to the best interpreters; or the lightning. (Calmet)

Haydock: Job 37:16 - Paths

Paths. Hebrew, "the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him whose knowledge is perfect?" chap. xxxvi. 4. Dost thou know what suspends the heavy clouds in the air? (Calmet)

Haydock: Job 37:17 - Are

Are. Hebrew, "How thy," &c. It is also beyond thy comprehension, why thou shouldst be too hot when the south winds blows (Haydock) moderately, though tempests generally proceed from the same quarter, ver. 9. If thou art in the dark, respecting these things, which thou feelest, how canst thou pretend to fathom and condemn the counsels of God? (Calmet) ---

Job was far from doing either. His friends rather undertook to explain God's reasons for punishing thus his servants, which Job acknowledged was to him a mystery, (Haydock) till God had enlightened him, chap. xxii. 3. (Houbigant)

Haydock: Job 37:18 - Brass

Brass. Hebrew, "Hast thou with him stretched out (or beaten, as brass, tarkiang; which word Moses uses for the firmament) the heavens, which are as solid (Chaldean, and like) a molten looking-glass?" which was formerly made of metal, Exodus xxxviii. 8. The Hebrews looked upon the sky as a sheet of brass; and the poets speak of the brazen heaven. (Pindar. Nem. vi.; Homer, Iliad A.)

Haydock: Job 37:19 - Darkness

Darkness. Thou who art so learned, give us some information, what we may blame in the works of God. Cutting irony! (Calmet)

Haydock: Job 37:20 - He shall be swallowed up

He shall be swallowed up. All that man can say, when he speaks of God, is so little and inconsiderable in comparison with the subject, that man is lost, an das it were swallowed up in so immense an ocean. (Challoner) ---

The man who should are to mention what I could reprehend in God's works, would soon be overwhelmed with majesty. (Calmet) ---

Alphonsus IX, king of Leon, (the year of our Lord 1252) surnamed "the wise and the astronomer," said "he could have given some good advice respecting the motions of the stars, if he had been consulted by God;" meaning to ridicule some vain systems of philosophers, then in vogue. (Dict. 1774.) (Haydock)

Haydock: Job 37:21 - Light // Away

Light; being hindered by the clouds, and dazzled when they are removed. Yet we presume to judge of the secrets of Providence! (Calmet) ---

Away. As there is a constant vicissitude of these things, so there is of happiness and misery. (Menochius) ---

Septuagint, "For the light is not seen by all. It is refulgent in beauties, as that which comes thence upon the clouds." If, therefore, this light does not pervade all places, why should we wonder that all do not understand the ways of God? (Haydock)

Haydock: Job 37:22 - Gold

Gold. Septuagint, "from the north, gold-coloured clouds. Above these, great is the praise and honour of the Almighty." (Haydock) ---

When the wind blows, the clouds are dispersed, and the sky appears serene. Each country has its peculiar advantages. In the north, Ophir, &c., may boast of gold: but what ought to be most conspicuous in the praises given to God, is an humble fear. Pindar begin his Olympic Odes somewhat in the same style. (Calmet) ---

"Water is excellent, and gold....But if, dear heart, thou wilt sing of games, regard no other star....as brighter than the sun....nor shall we celebrate any game more excellent than that of Olympia." (Haydock) ---

God disposes of all things as he pleases. He makes the golden day succeed a tempest. But it is our duty to praise him with awe, whatever he may ordain. This is the epilogue. (Pineda) ---

Man must praise God with fear, as he cannot do it sufficiently. (Worthington)

Haydock: Job 37:23 - Worthily

Worthily. Hebrew, "the Almighty, we cannot find him out," (Haydock) or comprehend his nature or mysteries. (Calmet)

Haydock: Job 37:24 - Fear him // And all

Fear him, and receive with respect whatever he shall appoint. (Haydock) ---

And all. Hebrew, "he fears not any that are wise of heart." He knows that the most intelligent (Calmet) must confess their ignorance, when they attempt to examine his divine nature. Simonides being desired by Hiero to express his sentiments on this subject, always requested more time to consider of it. Quia, inquit, res videtur mihi tanto obscurior, quanto diutius eam considero. (Cicero, Nat. i. 60. Selectæ e Prof. i. 3.) ---

"With thee (says St. Augustine, Confessions i. 6.) stand the causes of all instable things," &c. (Haydock) ---

Those who are really wise, will therefore adore God's judgments in silence, while the presumptuous will be forced to yield. This is the excellent conclusion of all that had been said. (Pineda) ---

The sentence is beautiful, but ill-applied (Haydock) to Job. (Philip) See Proverbs iii. 7. (Haydock) ---

He convinced the other three with sound arguments, "and this last and most arrogant disputant with silence." (Worthington)

Gill: Job 37:8 - Then the beasts go into dens // and remain in their places

Then the beasts go into dens,.... When snow and rains are on the earth in great abundance, then the wild beasts of the field, not being able to prowl about, betake themselves to dens; where they lie in wait, lurking for any prey that may pass by, from whence they spring and seize it;

and remain in their places; until the snow and rains are finished. As for other beasts, Olaus Magnus ^m observes, that when such large snows fall, that trees are covered with them, and the tender branches bend under the weight of them, they will come and abide under them, as in shady places, in great security, sheltered from the cold wind. The former may put us in mind of great personages, comparable to beasts of prey for their savageness and cruelty, who, when the day of God's wrath and vengeance is come, will flee to rocks and mountains, dens and caverns, there to hide themselves from it; Rev 6:15.

Gill: Job 37:9 - Out of the south cometh the whirlwind // and cold out of the north

Out of the south cometh the whirlwind,.... Or "from the chamber" ⁿ; from the chamber of the cloud, as Ben Gersom, from the inside of it; or from the treasury of God, who bringeth the wind out of his treasures; alluding to chambers where treasures are kept; or from the heavens, shut up and veiled around with clouds like a pavilion: but because we read of the chambers of the south, Job 9:9; and the southern pole was like a secret chamber, shut up, unseen, and unknown very much to the ancients; hence we render it, and others interpret it, of the south; from whence in these countries came whirlwinds. Hence we read of the whirlwinds of the south, Isa 21:1;

and cold out of the north; cold freezing winds from thence; or "from the scatterers" ^o: Aben Ezra interprets them of stars, the same with the "Mazzaroth", Job 38:32; stars scattered about the Arctic or northern pole, as some: or rather the northern winds are designed which scatter the clouds, drive away rain, Pro 25:23; and bring fair weather, Job 37:22. Wherefore Mr. Broughton renders the word,

"fair weather winds;''

and, in a marginal note,

"the scatterers of clouds ^p.''

Gill: Job 37:10 - By the breath of God frost is given // and the breadth of the waters is straitened

By the breath of God frost is given,.... By the word of God, as the Targum; at his command it is, at his word it comes, and at his word it goes, Psa 147:15; or by his will, as Ben Gersom interprets it, when it is his pleasure it should be, it appears; it may be understood of a freezing wind from the Lord, for a wind is sometimes expressed by the breath of his nostrils, Psa 18:15; and as the word "God" added to things increases the signification of them, as mountains of God are strong mountains; so the breath of God may signify a strong wind, as Sephorno notes, the north wind ^q;

and the breadth of the waters is straitened; by the frost they are reduced and brought into a narrower compass; or made hard, as Mr. Broughton renders it; so hard as to walk upon, to draw carriages on, and lay weights and burdens very great upon; or become compact or bound together, like metal melted, poured out, and consolidated; though some think it refers to the thawing of ice by the south winds ^r, when the waters return to their former breadth; which is done by the breath or commandment of God, as appears from the place before quoted from the psalmist, Psa 18:15; for it may be rendered, "and the breadth of the waters is pouring out", so the Targum, when thawed; or through the pouring down of rain, so the Syriac and Arabic versions, "he sends forth plenty of water".

Gill: Job 37:11 - Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud // he scattereth his bright cloud

Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud,.... By filling it with a multitude of water, it is as it were loaded and made weary with it; and especially by sending it about thus loaded from place to place before discharged, when it becomes as a weary traveller; and then by letting down the water in it, whereby it spends itself like one that is weary; an emblem of ministers that spend and are spent for the good of men: some render it by serenity or fair weather, and so Mr. Broughton,

"by clearness he wearieth the thick vapours;''

by causing a clear sky he dispels them;

he scattereth his bright cloud; thin light clouds that have nothing in them, and are soon dispersed and come to nothing, and are seen no more; all emblem of such as are clouds without water, Jud 1:12; see Zec 11:17; or "he scatters the cloud by his light" ^s; by the sun, which dispels clouds and makes a clear sky; an emblem of the blotting out and forgiveness of sins, and of restoring the manifestations of divine love, and the joys of salvation; see Isa 44:22.

Gill: Job 37:12 - 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

And it is turned round about by his counsels,.... The cloud is, and that by the wind, which is turned about to all points of the compass, according to the will of God; by the counsels of him who sits at the helm, as the word signifies, and orders all things according to the counsel of his own will: to which owing every shifting of the wind, and the various motions of the clouds;

that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth; as all his creatures do; the several meteors in the air, clouds, stormy wind, fire, hail, snow, and vapour, all fulfilling his word; and which they do everywhere in the several parts of the world whither they are sent, Psa 107:25. So ministers of the word drop down or withhold the rain of Gospel doctrine, and carry it into the several places of the world, as the Lord directs them; see Isa 5:6.

Gill: Job 37:13 - He causeth it to come // whether for correction // or for his land // or for mercy

He causeth it to come,.... The cloud, and rain by it;

whether for correction; for the reproof and chastisement of men for their sins, by suffering such quantities to fall as wash away, or corrupt and destroy, the fruits of the earth: or "for a tribe" ^t, as the word sometimes signifies; the rain is sent, and comes only to a particular part or spot of ground, to one city and not to another, Amo 4:7;

or for his land; some particular land he has a favour for, as the land of Canaan he cared for from one end of the year to another, and therefore sent on it rain in due season, though as yet it did not appear to be the object of his peculiar regard; or for the whole earth, which is his; and wherever rain comes seasonably and in proper quantity, it is for the benefit of it; though some think the land which no man has a property in but the Lord is meant, even the wilderness where no man is, Job 38:26;

or for mercy; to some particular spot, and to some particular persons; and indeed it is a kindness and benefit both to good and bad men; hereby the earth is watered and made fertile and fruitful, to bring forth seed to the sower and bread to the eater, see Mat 5:45; the word of God is for the correction of some, and for the comfort of others, 2Ti 3:16; yea, the savour of death unto death to some, and the savour of life unto life to others, 2Co 2:16. The Targum paraphrases the words,

"either a rain of vengeance on the seas and deserts, or an impetuous rain on the trees of the mountains and hills, or a still rain of mercy on the fruitful fields and vineyards.''

Gill: Job 37:14 - Hearken unto this, O Job // stand still // and consider the wondrous works of God

Hearken unto this, O Job,.... Either to the present clap of thunder then heard; or rather to what Elihu had last said concerning clouds of rain coming for correction or mercy; and improve it and apply it to his own case, and consider whether the afflictions he was under were for the reproof and correction of him for sin, or in mercy and love to his soul and for his good, as both might be the case; or to what he had further to say to him, which was but little more, and he should conclude;

stand still; stand up, in order to hear better, and in reverence of what might be said; and with silence, that it might be the better received and understood:

and consider the wondrous works of God; not prodigies and extraordinary things, which are out of the common course of nature, such as the wonders in Egypt, at the Red sea, in the wilderness, and in the land of Canaan, but common things; such as come more or less under daily observation, for of such only he had been speaking, and continued to speak; such as winds, clouds, thunder, lightning, hail, rain, and snow; these he would have him consider and reflect upon, that though they were so common and obvious to view, yet there were some things in them marvellous and beyond the full comprehension of men; and therefore much more must be the works of Providence, and the hidden causes and reasons of them.

Gill: Job 37:15 - Dost thou know when God disposed them // and caused the light of his cloud to shine

Dost thou know when God disposed them?.... The clouds, that part of the wondrous works of God he was speaking of; when he decreed concerning them that they should be, when he put into them and stored them with rain, hail, snow, &c. disposed of them here and there in the heavens, and gave them orders to fall on this and the other spot of ground; wast thou present at all this, and knew what God was doing secretly in the clouds, and before heard what would break out of them, or fall from them? and if thou art ignorant of these things, canst thou imagine that thou shouldest be made acquainted with the secret springs of God's providential dealings with the children of men?

and caused the light of his cloud to shine; either the lightning to break through the cloud, or rather the light of the sun to shine upon his cloud, prepared to receive the light reflected on it, and form the rainbow; which, as it is called his bow, the cloud in which it is may be called his cloud; which is one of the wondrous works of God, and is called by the Heathens the daughter of wonder ^u; formed in a semicircle, with various colours, and as a token that God will drown the earth no more; an emblem of the covenant of peace, and of Jesus Christ, said to be clothed with a cloud, and with a rainbow about his head, Rev 10:1.

Gill: Job 37:16 - Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds // the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds?.... How those ponderous bodies, as some of them are very weighty, full of water, are poised, and hang in the air, without turning this way or the other, or falling on the earth;

the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge; of God, who is a God of knowledge, of knowledges, 1Sa 2:3; who knows himself and all his works, all creatures and things whatever, see Job 36:4; and this is another of his wondrous works, which none but he, whose knowledge is perfect, and is the author and giver of knowledge, can know, even the poising and balancing of the clouds in the air; we see they are balanced, but we know not how it is done.

Gill: Job 37:17 - How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind? One should think there is no great difficulty in accounting for this, that a man's clothes should be warm, and he so hot as not to be able to bear them, but obliged to put them off in the summer season, when only the south wind blows, which brings heat, a serene sky, and fine weather, Luk 12:55; and yet there is something in the concourse of divine Providence attending these natural causes, and his blessing with them, without which the garment of a man will not be warm, or at least not warming to him, Hag 1:6; or

"how thy garments are warm when the land is still from the south,''

as Mr. Broughton renders the words; that is, how it is when the earth is still from the whirlwinds of the south; or when that wind does not blow which brings heat, but northerly winds in the winter time; that then a man's garments should be warm, and keep him warm.

Gill: Job 37:18 - Hast thou with him spread out the sky // which is strong // and as a molten looking glass

Hast thou with him spread out the sky?.... Wast thou concerned with him at the first spreading out of the sky? wast thou an assistant to him in it? did he not spread it as a curtain or canopy about himself, without the help of another? verily he did; see Job 9:8, Isa 44:24;

which is strong: for though it seems a fluid and thin, is very firm and strong, as appears by what it bears, and are contained in it; and therefore is called "the firmament of his power", Psa 150:1;

and as a molten looking glass; clear and transparent, like the looking glasses of the women, made of molten brass, Exo 38:8; and firm and permanent ^u; and a glass this is in which the glory of God, and his divine perfections, is to be seen; and is one of the wondrous works of God, made for the display of his own glory, and the benefit of men, Psa 19:1. Or this may respect the spreading out a clear serene sky, and smoothing it after it has been covered and ruffled with storms and tempests; which is such a wonderful work of God, that man has no hand in.

Gill: Job 37:19 - Teach us what we shall say unto him // for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness

Teach us what we shall say unto him,.... To this wonder working God, of whose common works of nature we know so little; how we should reason with him about his works of Providence, when we know so little of these:

for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness; by reason of darkness in themselves, which is in all men naturally, and even in the saints in this state of imperfection; and by reason of the clouds and darkness which are about the Lord himself, who is incomprehensible in his nature and perfections; and by reason of the darkness cast about his providential dealings with men, so that they are unsearchable and past finding out; and the best of men are at a loss how to order their speech, or discourse with God concerning these things.

Gill: Job 37:20 - Shall it be told him that I speak // if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up

Shall it be told him that I speak?.... And what I speak? there is no need of it, since he is omniscient, and knows every word that is spoken by men; or is anything I have said concerning him, his ways, and his works, worthy relating, or worthy of his hearing, being so very imperfect? nor can the things I have spoken of, though common things, be fully explained to any; or should it be told him, the Lord, that he, Elihu, had spoke as Job had done, and arraigned his justice, and complained of his dealings? God forbid; he would not have it said they were spoken by him for all the world: or "shall it be recorded unto him what I speak?" as Mr. Broughton, or that I speak; shall it be recorded in a book, and that sent to God; that I will speak in thy cause, and be an advocate for thee, and endeavour to justify thee in all thou hast said? no, by no means;

if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up; if he speaks of the being and perfections of God, he is soon lost; his essence, and many of his attributes, are beyond his comprehension; if he speaks of his works of nature and providence, he is presently out of his depth; there is a bathos, a depth in them he cannot fathom: if he speaks of his love, and grace, and mercy, in the salvation of man, he is swallowed up with admiration; he is obliged to say, what manner of love is this? it has heights he cannot reach, depths he cannot get to the bottom of, lengths and breadths immeasurable: or should he undertake to dispute with God, to litigate a point with him concerning his works, he could not answer him in one thing of a thousand; and particularly Elihu suggests, was he to undertake Job's cause, it would soon be lost and all over with him; so Mr. Broughton renders the words, "would any plead, when he should be undone?" who would engage in a cause he is sure would be lost, and prove his utter undoing?

Gill: Job 37:21 - And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds // but the wind passeth and cleanseth them

And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds,.... Here Elihu returns to his subject, it may be, occasioned by black clouds gathering in the heavens, as a preparation for the whirlwind, storm, and tempest, out of which the Lord is said to speak in the next chapter. And this is to be understood, not of the lightning in the cloud, which is not to be seen until it breaks out of it; nor the rainbow in the cloud, formed by the rays of light from the sun, which disappears when the wind passes and clears the sky of the cloud in which it is; nor of the Galaxy, or Milky Way, as Sephorno, which is not to be seen in a cloudy night; but of the sun, which is the great light and a bright one, and shines brightly; yet sometimes not to be seen by men, because of interposing clouds, until they are cleared away by winds. Though rather this respects the sun shining in its brightness, and in its full strength, in the skies or ethereal regions, in a clear day, when men are not able to look full at it: and how much less then are they able to behold him who is light itself, and in whom is no darkness at all, nor shadow of turning; who dwells in light, which no mortal can approach unto; into whose nature and perfections none can fully look, or behold the secret springs of his actions, and the reasons of his dispensations towards men?

but the wind passeth and cleanseth them; the clouds, and clears the air of them, which obstruct the light of the sun: or "when a wind passeth and cleareth it"; the air, as Mr. Broughton, then the sun shines so brightly that it dazzles the eye to look at it.

Gill: Job 37:22 - Fair weather cometh out of the north // with God is terrible majesty

Fair weather cometh out of the north,.... Or "gold" ^x, which some understand literally; this being found in northern climates as well as southern, as Pliny relates ^y; particularly in Colchis and Scythia, which lay to the north of Palestine and Arabia; and is thought by a learned man ^z to be here intended: though to understand it figuratively of the serenity of the air, bright and pure as gold, or of fair weather, which is golden weather, as Mr. Broughton renders it,

"through the north the golden cometh,''

seems best to agree with the subject Elihu is upon; and such weather comes from the north, through the north winds, which drive away rain, Pro 25:23;

with God is terrible majesty; majesty belongs to him as he is King of kings, whose the kingdom of nature and providence is; and he is the Governor among and over the nations of the world. His throne is prepared in the heavens; that is his throne, and his kingdom ruleth over all: and this majesty of his is "terrible", commanding awe and reverence among all men, who are his subjects; and especially among his saints and peculiar people; and strikes a terror to others, even to great personages, the kings and princes of the earth; to whom the Lord is sometimes terrible now, and will be hereafter; see Psa 76:12, Rev 6:15; and to all Christless sinners, especially when he comes to judgment; see Isa 2:19. Or "terrible praise" ^a; for God is "fearful in praises", Exo 15:11; which may respect the subject of praise, terrible things, and the manner of praising him with fear and reverence, Psa 106:22.

Gill: Job 37:23 - 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

Touching the Almighty,.... Or with respect to God, who is almighty; with whom nothing is impossible; who can do and does do all things he pleases, and more than we can ask or think; and who is all sufficient, as this word is by some rendered; has enough of every thing in himself and of himself to make him happy; and needs not any of his creatures, nor anything they can do or give him, but has a sufficiency for himself and them;

we cannot find him out; found he may be in his works, and especially in his Son, the express image of his person; in whom he makes himself known as the God of grace: but he is not to be found out to perfection; neither by the light of nature, which is very dim, and by which men grope after him, if haply they may find him; nor even by the light of grace in the present state: and there are many things in God quite out of the reach of man, and ever will be, fully to comprehend; as the modes of the subsistence of the three Persons in the Godhead; the eternity and immensity of God; with all secret things, which belong not to us to inquire curiously into;

he is excellent in power; or great and much in it; which is displayed in the works of creation and sustentation of the world; in the redemption and conversion of his people; in the support, protection, and preservation of them; and in the destruction of his and their enemies;

and in judgment; in the government of the world in so righteous a manner; in the judgments he executes on wicked men; and as he will appear to be in the general judgment of the world, at the great day, which will be a righteous one;

and in plenty of justice; being most just, righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works; distributing justice to all, acting according to the rules of it, in all things and towards all persons; so that though he is great in power, he does not abuse that power, to do things that are not just;

he will not afflict; without a just cause and reason for it; nor willingly, but with reluctance; nor never beyond deserts, nor more than he gives strength to bear; and only for the good of his people, and in love to them. Some render it, "he will not answer" ^b; or give an account of his matters, or the reason of his dealings with men.

Gill: Job 37:24 - Men do therefore fear him // he respecteth not any that are wise of heart

Men do therefore fear him,.... Or should, because of his greatness in power, judgment, and justice; and because of his goodness, in not afflicting for his pleasure's sake, but for the profit of men; and therefore they should reverence and adore him, submit to his will, patiently bear afflictions, serve him internally and externally, with reverence and godly fear;

he respecteth not any that are wise of heart; that are wise in a natural sense: these are not always regarded by God, or are his favourites; neither temporal blessings, nor special grace, or the knowledge of spiritual things, are always given to the wise and prudent, Ecc 9:11. Or that are wise in their own conceit; there is a woe to such; and there is more hope of a fool than of him, Isa 5:21. Or he is not "afraid" of them ^c, as some choose to render the word; he fears not to reprove them and correct them for their faults, or the schemes they form to counterwork him; for he can take them in their craftiness, and carry their counsel headlong. Or "every wise in heart shall not see him" ^d: the world by wisdom knows him not; nor can any look into his heart, his thoughts, purposes, and designs, and into the causes and reasons of his actions; nor have those that are truly wise perfect vision and knowledge of him now, 1Co 13:9.