Job 37

Elihu speaketh yet of other works of God, as of the thunder, lightening, snow, rain, wind, frost, clouds, v.1. etc. By these and other things he exhorteth Job to reverence the high and dreadful Majesty of God, and to confess and acknowledge the ignorance, weakness and vanity of man, 14.

1. For this also my heart trembleth [viz. For or by reason of the dreadful works of God, which I am about to rehearse now.] and leapeth out of its place. [Heb. Is transposed, dislocated.]

2. Hearken with attention [Heb. Hearing hear] the motion of his voice, [Gods namely, Understand the Thunder, so Below v.4, and 5. And Psalms 29:3.] and the sound [Oth. Rumbling, or refounding. Hebr. Speech] (that) goeth forth out of his mouth. [i.e. is made at his command. Comp. Deuter.8.3. and the annotation.]

3. That [Sound of thunder namely] he [God] sendeth directly forth under all the heaven, and his light [i.e. Gods lightenings and fiery flashes; as above 36.30.] over the ends of the Earth [Heb. Wings of, etc. So likewise below 38.13. Isa.11.12.]

4. Then [Viz. After the sending forth of the lightening, mentioned in the thunder. Elihu meaneth not that the rating of kneel of the thunder is naturally after the lightening; but he speaketh of it in that order in which it is presented to the human senses. For the flash of lightening doth sooner appear to the eyes, then the sounding of thunder is conveyed to the ears.] he thundereth with the voice of his highness, and withdraweth not those things, [viz. The rain, hail, wind and other tempestuousness, which useth to be accompanied with thunder. Or there may be inserted the word, lightenings.] when his voice is heard.

5. God thundereth with his voice very wonderfully, he doth great things, and we comprehend them not.

6. For he saith to the snow [Gods saying, is his doing. See Gen.1.4.] Be upon the earth, and to the shower of rain; [viz. Doth God command to fall up the Earth] then there is the shower of his strong rains. [Heb. The shower of the rains of his strength.]

7. Then [viz. When it snoweth or raineth very much] doth he seal up the land. [i.e. he shutteth up, and stayeth the hands that they are not able to work in the field, by reason of the storm and tempest,] of every man, [viz. That work in the fields, i.e. the Husband man] that he may know all the men of his work, [i.e. that the Husbandman by occasion of the works, standing still, may inform himself at home with ease, how all the work goeth on and thriveth abroad. Oth. For the knowledge of all men which he made.]

8. And the beast go, [viz. When it is foul tempestuous weather, as in the former verse] into lurking places, [the Hebrew word doth signify such places, wherein the beasts do not only shelter themselves in time of fowl weather, but also lurk and watch for their prey. Comp. Below 39.2.] and abideth in its holes: [Heb. Dwelleth in his habitation.

9. Out of the inner chamber [Compare above 9.9. and the annot. Some do understand hereby the thick clouds, or other hidden treasuries, whence the winds do issue forth] cometh the whirlwind, and from off the Sea scattering (winds) [which come from the North]

10. Through his blowing, [Understand the wind, which is likewise so called, 2 Sam.22.16. Psa.18.v.16.] God giveth the frost; [Heb. Through Gods blowing doth he give the frost] so that the broad waters are stiffened. [Heb. The breadth of the waters (is) in curding, or entering, stiffening, or fasting, i.e. driven close together, and curded as it were within it self through cold.]

11. Also he tired the thick clouds (through) brightness, [viz. By rarefying, dissipating and scattering the same, by the beams of the Sun. Oth. Through moistening (the Earth) [i.e. whilst he is dissolving the clouds for to power out their water, whence by way of comparison, from such as do a great deal of work, the clouds are said to be wearied or tired.] he scattereth the cloud of his light, [i.e. whereby he bringeth forth the light the cloud of his lightening, or flashings, whereby God doth shoot or dart forth the lightenings. Oth. He scattereth the cloud of his rain. Compare above 36.30. with the annot.]

12. Then the same [Cloud namely, spoken of in the former verse] turneth it self according to his wise counsel, [the Hebrew word doth signify for the most part a diligent prudence, and advisedness in governing, like as the pilots at Sea are able to steer their ships, with singular readiness, for to bring them unto the wished harbour. So here, and Prov.1.5. chap.11,14. And 20.18. and 24.6. Otherwise it is taken in an ill sense, for the willy and mischievous devises and plottings of the wicked, as Prov.12.5.] through circuits, [viz. Whereby the clouds is driven and hurried about from one place of the air into the other; according to the order, by Gods providence established in nature] that they do, [viz. Not the could only, but likewise all the other forementioned creatures, as the winds, the snow, the frost, the rain, &c.] all that he commandeth them, [i.e. whatsoever he doth by them. See above 35.on v.21.] upon the Earth.

13. Whether he disposeth, [Heb. Make to find] the same [cloud namely] for a rod [i.e. correction and punishment for men. See above chap.9.on v.34.] or for his land, [viz. To visit the land, with all the creatures that are contained therein; according to his pleasure, they are called his, i.e. Gods, because they belong unto him, being created by him] or for benefit, [viz. To be shewed unto, and bestowed upon men.]

14. Take this, O Job, to ears, stand, and observe the wonders of God.

15. Doest thou know when God setteth Order over them; [over the clouds namely: Oth. Over the wonders, viz. To work by them; or setteth (his heart) upon them i.e. doth heed and observe them, with a purpose by the same, either to shew and impart his mercies; or to inflict and execute his judgements.] and letteth the light of his clouds to shine, [i.e. the lighting, and fire flashes. So above v.3. and chap.36.30. He would infer, because Job was not able perfectly to comprehend such natural things, that therefore he was much more unable to find out, or dive into ground or bottom of the judgements of God.]

16. Hast thou knowledge of the balancing of the thick clouds, [i.e. of the manner how the clouds are hung as in an even balance, that they do not fall to ground at once.] The wonderfulness of him, that is perfect in knowledge, [i.e. God, whose wisdom is as perfect in dispositions, as his power in executing all his works. Compare 1 Sam.2.3.]

17. How thy cloths grow warm, [as if he said, art thou able fully to comprehend but so small a thing, as how the cloths upon thy body grow warm through a warmed air? No doubt but Job was able enough to understand it in some degree; but Elihu speaketh here of a perfect and through search of every circumstance, to know exactly and fully, how, wherefore, when, where for or over whom the LORD may or doth effect the same] when he, [God namely] maketh the earth still, [i.e. calmeth and layeth the winds upon it, which caused the cold] out of the South; [i.e. by means of the sun-shine from the south.

18. Hast thou extended the heavens with him; [viz. With God, as if thou hadst been his companion in creating the world] which are firm [notwithstanding that they are of a very thin and subtile transparent substance] like a founded mirror or looking-glass, [viz. By reason of their brightness and lustre, Elihu’s meaning is, since Job had no share in the making of that great work, nor was able to produce the like, that therefore he ought in all reason, to humble himself under that Almighty power, which made them; especially seeing we may and must, by the perfection of his power, judge also of the perfection of his justice.]

19. Instruct us, what we shall say unto him: [namely to God, if we should enter into contention and variance with him, as thy self is about now, in maintaining the cause of thy pretended integrity against him, See above 13.3. and 23.3,4. Etc. And 31,35.] for we shall be able to set forth nothing orderly [viz. For want of matter, reasons or arguments, fitness of words, art and ability, finding our selves altogether unprovided and unfurnished to enter the lifts with him] by reason of the darkness, [viz. Of our understanding, which is not able fully it out in debate of words and plea against his wisdom.]

20. Shall it be related unto him, [viz. To God, i.e. shall any need to inform and represent it unto God, if I should have purposed to speak evil of God] if I should speak (so)? [viz. As thou, O Job! Hast spoken of God and his Government] doth any think. [Heb. Sayeth any, viz. In his heart, i.e. thinketh any. See Gen.20.on v.11. Or saith he, viz. With the mouth] (that)? [viz. That he shall need to inform and acquaint God with such words or speechs] certainly he shall be swallowed up, [viz. By the majesty of God.]

21. And now one seeth not the light (when it) is brighter in heaven, [i.e. the Sun; when he is in his full splendour, and spreadeth his beams through the air. See above chap.25.on v.3. The sense is, seeing we are not able to look with our eyes upon the sun, when he shineeth most bright, how much less shall we able to endure the infinite Majesty of God, and pore into his secret judgements, by our dull understanding] when the wind passeth through and cleanseth the same; [viz. The heavens, or sky.]

22. When the gold, [i.e. (in this place) fair and clear weather with Sunshine; which is compared to the gold for its brightness and pureness. Compare Zach.4.12. and the annot.] cometh [i.e. spreadeth it self through the air] from the North; [i.e. spreadeth it self through the air] from the North; [i.e. when the air is cleansed and purified by the North wind. Compare above v.8.] (but) by God (there) is a dreadful Majesty, [i.e. the brightness thereof is infinitely more glorious, and unendurable to man, then is the Sun, in his greatest strength and excellency. Oth. By the dreadful God (there) is Majesty.]

23. The almighty, whom we cannot find out, he is great of power; yet doth he not oppress by judgement, and great justice, [i.e. although he be omnipotent, nevertheless he will not make use of his great power, to deal with me, according to the utmost rigour of his justice. Oth. He is great of power, and of judgement, and of great justice, he oppresseth, (or afflicteth) not.]

24. Therefore men fear him: he regardeth not any wise of heart. [The sense is, that God is not moved to shew his mercy and kindness to men for any thing, that he doth see in man, although he were the wisest of men; but only of and for his love, which he bare unto us in the Messiah, and that for the glorifying of his holy name. By the wise of heart, are understood those that are of wise and prudent understanding. So Exod.28.3. and 31.6. and 35.25. Compare also above ch.9.4. and the annot. Oth, he seeth not any wise of heart. Or shall be not regard all wise of heart? i.e. take notice of them, that are truly wise?]