Job 37:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 37:14-20

Elihu here addresses himself closely to Job, desiring him to apply what he had hitherto said to himself. He begs that he would hearken to this discourse (Job 37:14), that he would pause awhile: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. What we hear is not likely to profit us unless we consider it, and we are not likely to consider things fully unless we stand still and compose ourselves to the consideration of them. The works of God, being wondrous, both deserve and need our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 37:15

Dost thou know when God disposed them ?.... The clouds, that part of the wondrous works of God he was speaking of; when he decreed concerning them that they should be, when he put into them and stored them with rain, hail, snow, &c.; disposed of them here and there in the heavens, and gave them orders to fall on this and the other spot of ground; wast thou present at all this, and knew what God was doing secretly in the clouds, and before heard what would break out of them, or fall from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 37:15

Dost thou know when God disposed them - Dost thou know the laws by which they are governed; and the causes which produce such and such phenomena? And caused the light of his cloud to shine? - Almost every critic of note understands this of the rainbow, which God gave as a sign that the earth should no more be destroyed by water. See Genesis 9:13 ; (note), and the note there. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:1-24

It has been already remarked that there is no natural division between Job 36:1-33 and Job 37:1-24 .—the description of the thunderstorm and its effects runs on. From its effect on cattle, Elihu passes to its effect on man ( Job 37:1-5 ); and thence goes on to speak of other natural manifestations of God's power and marvellousness—snow, violent rain, whirlwind, frost, and the like ( Job 37:6-13 ). He then makes a final appeal to Job to acknowledge his own weakness and God's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:1-24

Elihu to Job: 5. The wonderful works of God. I. WONDERFUL IN RESPECT OF THEIR VARIETY . Beginning with the thunderstorm (verse 2), with its quickly spreading clouds ( Job 36:29 ), its sharp, gleaming bolts (verse 3), its crashing and reverberating peals (verse 4), Elihu passes on to descant upon other natural phenomena—such as the falling of the snow and the rain upon the earth (verse 6); the sweeping of the whirlwind, or hot simoom, from the remote regions of the southern... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:14-24

Elihu ends with a personal appeal to Job, based on the statements which he has made. Can Job imagine that he understands the workings of God in nature? If not, how can he venture to challenge God to a controversy? Would it not be better to recognize that his ways are inscrutable? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:15

Dost thou know when God disposed them ; rather, disposes them—gives them their orders, arranges for their course and sequence? Or dost thou know when he caused (or rather, causes) the light of his cloud (either the lightning, or perhaps the rainbow, as Schultens suggests) to shine ? Thou canst not pretend to any such knowledge. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 37:15

Dost thou know when God disposed them? - That is, the winds, the clouds, the cold, the snow, the sky, etc. The question refers to the manner in which God arranges and governs them, rather than to the time when it was done. So the Hebrew implies, and so the connection demands. The question was not whether Job knew “when” all this was done, but whether he could explain “how” it was that God thus arranged and ordered the things referred to. Elihu asks him whether he could explain the manner in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 37:14-15

Job 37:14-15. Hearken unto this, O Job, &c. Listen diligently unto these things; do not dispute any more with God, but silently consider these his wonderful works, and think, if there be so much matter of wonder in the most obvious works of God, how wonderful must his secret counsels be. Dost thou know when God disposed them? The things before mentioned, the clouds, rain, snow, and other meteors? Did God acquaint thee with his counsels in the producing and ordering of them? And... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 37:1-24

God’s unknowable purposes (36:1-37:24)Elihu, believing he has all the answers to Job’s questions, says he will now answer Job on God’s behalf (36:1-4). Certainly, God punishes the wicked, but he does not despise all who suffer. If the afflicted are truly righteous, they will soon be exalted (5-7). The reason he afflicts them is to show them their sin. If they repent, they will enjoy renewed and unbroken contentment; if not, they will suffer horrible deaths (8-12).Only the ungodly rebel against... read more

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