FocusClaims about God's justice and instruction
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
interpretation Job 37:16
KJVDost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Read it in context
Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty
Start reading at Job 37:1 (Job 37:1 to Job 37:24).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
A new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
- 37:1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
- 37:2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
- 37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
- 37:4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
- 37:5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
- 37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
- 37:7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
- 37:8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
- 37:9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
- 37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
- 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
- 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.
- 37:13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
- 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
- 37:15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
- 37:16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
- 37:17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
- 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
- 37:19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
- 37:20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
- 37:21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
- 37:22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
- 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.
- 37:24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
Who
- Who wrote the book? The author is unknown. Moses is one ancient traditional proposal, but neither that proposal nor another named author can be established with confidence. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). book background
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Job 32:1–37:24): Elihu addresses Job and the listening wise men after the three friends cease answering. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers within Israel's wisdom tradition, wrestling with innocent suffering, justice, and the limits of human judgment. No named individual or first community is identified. Biblical references: Job 28:28; Job 42:7. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty. Read Job 37:1 through Job 37:24 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? A new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book supplies no royal date or exact historical year for Job's experiences. Proposed patriarchal-era settings are historical inferences, not a date explicitly stated by the narrative. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Job is introduced as a man in the land of Uz. The poetic speeches range through imagined and remembered scenes that should not all be treated as the speakers' physical locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty (Job 37:1 to Job 37:24). Start reading at Job 37:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? James refers to Job's endurance and the Lord's compassion. Connections between Job's suffering and Christ may be considered as comparisons; Job's speeches should not all be treated as direct predictions of Jesus. See Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Do not assume that a sufferer's losses prove a hidden sin. Listen carefully, distinguish the speakers, and read their claims alongside the LORD's concluding rebuke of the friends. interpretation
Cited: Job 37:1, Job 37:24, Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; among the oldest books of Scripture
Not known
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) suggested Moses, but ancient opinion varied widely.
What is debatedThe author is unknown and the date is uncertain. The setting appears patriarchal, but the book could have been written far later.
Related passages
- the balancings Job 26:8 Job 36:29 Ps 104:2-3 Isa 40:22 Jer 10:13
- perfect Job 36:4 Ps 104:24 Ps 147:5 Prov 3:19-20 Jer 10:12
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Job 37
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Job
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated.
Job's losses and the friends' arrival
Job 1:1–2:13FocusSuffering and the opening test
Connection to the wholeThe narrative establishes Job's losses and integrity before the speeches begin, giving readers information the disputing friends do not possess.
interpretation The lament and first exchange
Job 3:1–14:22FocusSuffering questioned and explained
Connection to the wholeJob's lament leads into the first cycle of speeches, in which the friends' explanations are challenged by Job's experience.
interpretation The second exchange
Job 15:1–21:34FocusAccusation and protest intensify
Connection to the wholeThe argument sharpens as the friends connect suffering with wickedness and Job challenges their account of the wicked's fortunes.
interpretation The final exchange and Job's defense
Job 22:1–31:40FocusWisdom and the demand for an answer
Connection to the wholeThe later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer.
interpretation FocusClaims about God's justice and instruction
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
interpretation The LORD answers
Job 38:1–41:34FocusCreation and the limits of human knowledge
Connection to the wholeThe LORD questions Job concerning the created order, confronting the limits of his knowledge and his attempt to contend with God.
interpretation Job's response and the conclusion
Job 42:1–17FocusRepentance, rebuke, and restoration
Connection to the wholeJob responds, the friends are rebuked, and the narrative closes with intercession and restoration without turning every speech into endorsed doctrine.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.