Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 37
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Job 37
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Job 37
"Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place." — Job 37:1 (ASV)
At this also my heart trembleth. — Elihu is speaking about the same matter. He says, “Not only are the cattle terrified, but at this also my heart trembleth and is moved out of its place. Listen! Listen to the sound of His voice.”
"He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth." — Job 37:3 (ASV)
He directeth it. —Or, sends it forth: that is, the noise and rumbling which fills all heaven.
"After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not [the lightnings] when his voice is heard." — Job 37:4 (ASV)
After it a voice roars — i.e., the thunderclap that follows the lightning-flash.
And He stays them not (or will not restrain them) when His voice is heard. —What does this mean? We understand it, “Yet no one can track them (i.e., the thunder and the lightning) when His voice is heard. They travel in paths that no one can explore. Vivid as the lightning is, who can pursue its course?”
"For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain." — Job 37:6 (ASV)
For He says to the snow. —All the operations of nature obey the command of God—the snow, the gentle showers, the drenching downpour. By means of these, He seals up the hand of every man, obstructing and impeding their works and movements, so that all the men whom He has made may know it or know Him.
This is the plain meaning, which the Authorized Version gives somewhat less clearly. Men may learn from these things that they and their works are under the control of God. They are not the entirely free agents they suppose.
"Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens." — Job 37:8 (ASV)
Then the beasts go into dens. —And not man only, but the beasts likewise, have to take refuge in their dens and coverts.
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