Albert Barnes Commentary Job 37:22

"Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon him terrible majesty." — Job 37:22 (ASV)

Fair weather - Margin, “gold.” The Hebrew word זהב (zâhâb) properly means “gold,” and is so translated by the Vulgate, the Syriac, and by most versions. The Septuagint translates it νέψη χρυσαυγουντα (nepsē chrusaugounta), “clouds shining like gold.” The Chaldee, אסתניא, means the north wind, Boreas.

Many commentators have attempted to show that gold was found in the northern regions (see Schultens, in loc.); and it is not difficult to establish that fact as a confirmation of what is said here, assuming that it refers literally to gold.

But it is difficult to see why Elihu should make a reference here to the source where gold was found, or how such a reference would be connected with the description of the approaching tempest and the light already seen on the opening clouds.

It seems probable to me that the idea is entirely different. Elihu, I believe, means to say that a bright, dazzling light, like burnished gold, was seen in the northern sky—a fitting symbol of the approaching Deity.

This idea is hinted at in the Septuagint, but it has not seemed to occur to commentators. The image is that of the heavens darkened by the tempest, with lightning flashing and thunder rolling. Then, the wind seems to brush away the clouds in the north, disclosing in the opening a bright, dazzling appearance like burnished gold, which indicated the approach of God.

The word is never used in the sense of “fair weather.” An ancient Greek tragedian, mentioned by Grotius, speaks of golden air—χρυσωπός αἰθήρ (chrusōpos aithēr). Varro also uses a similar expression—aurescit aer, “the air becomes like gold.” So Thomson, in his Seasons:

But over there comes the powerful king of day
Rejoicing in the east. The lessening cloud.
The brightening azure, and the mountain’s brow,
Illuminated with fluid gold, his near approach
Signifies gladness.

Summer

Out of the north - That is, the symbol of the approaching Deity appears in that direction, or God was seen to approach from the north. It may serve to explain this to note that among the ancients, the northern regions were regarded as the residence of the gods, and it was supposed that they were accustomed to assemble on the mountains in the north. In proof of this, and for its reasons, see the notes at (Isaiah 14:13). From that region, Elihu now sees God approaching and directs his companions’ attention to the symbols of His advent.

It is this which fills his mind with so much consternation and makes his speech so broken and disconnected. Having, in a manner showing great alarm, directed their attention to these symbols, he hurriedly concludes what he has to say, and God appears to close the controversy.

With God is terrible majesty - This is not a declaration asserting this of God in general, but as He then appeared. It is the language of one who was overwhelmed with His awful majesty, as the brightness of His presence was seen on the tempest.