Albert Barnes Commentary Job 37:7

"He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know [it]." — Job 37:7 (ASV)

He seals up the hand of every man - That is, in the winter, when the snow is on the ground, when the streams are frozen, and when the farmer's labors cease. The idea of “sealing up the hand” is derived from the common purpose of a seal—to make fast, to close up, to secure (Compare to Job 9:7, note; Job 33:16, note)—and the meaning is that the hands can no longer be used in ordinary work. Every man, in the snow and rain of winter, is prevented from going outside for his usual work and is, as it were, sealed up in his dwelling. The idea is exquisitely beautiful. God confines human beings and beasts in their houses or caves, until the winter has passed by.

That all men may know his work - The Septuagint renders this, “That every man may know his own weakness” - ἀσθένειαν astheneian. Various interpretations have been given of the passage, but our common version has probably expressed essentially the true meaning: that God thus interrupts man's labors and confines him in his home, so that he may feel his dependence on God and may recognize the constant agency of his Creator. The Hebrew literally is, “For the knowledge of all the men of his making;” that is, that all the people whom he has created may have knowledge.

The changing seasons thus continually place before us the constant evidence of God's unceasing agency in his works. This prevents the feeling we might otherwise have—if everything were uniform—that the universe was under the control of "fate."

As it is, the succession of the seasons—the snow, the rain, the dew, and the sunshine—all bear marks of being under the control of an intelligent Being. They are so regulated that we need not forget that his unceasing agency is constantly all around us.

It may be added that when the farmer in winter is set aside from his usual work and confined to his dwelling, it is a favorable time for him to meditate on the works of God and to become better acquainted with his Creator. Human labors are thus interrupted; the busy affairs of life come to a pause; and while nature is silent around us, and the earth, wrapped in her fleecy mantle, prevents the farmer's labor, everything invites contemplation of the Creator and of the works of his hands. The winter, therefore, can be used by every farmer to enlarge his knowledge of God and should be regarded as a season wisely appointed for him to cultivate his understanding and improve his heart.