Job 37:4,Job 37:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 37:1-5

Thunder and lightning, which usually go together, are sensible indications of the glory and majesty, the power and terror, of Almighty God, one to the ear and the other to the eye; in these God leaves not himself without witness of his greatness, as, in the rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, he leaves not himself without witness of his goodness (Acts 14:17), even to the most stupid and unthinking. Though there are natural causes and useful effects of them, which the philosophers undertake... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 37:4

After it a voice roareth ,.... After the lightning comes a violent crack or clap of thunder, which is like the roaring of a lion. Such is the order of thunder and lightning, according to our sense and apprehension of them; otherwise in nature they are together: but the reasons given why the lightning is seen before, and so the same in the flash and report of a gun, are, because the sense of seeing is quicker than the sense of hearing F25 Senec. Nat. Quaest. l. 2. c. 12. so Aristot.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 37:4

After it a voice roareth - After the flash has been seen, the peal is heard; and this will be more or fewer seconds after the peal, in proportion to the distance of the thunder cloud from the ear. Lightning traverses any space without any perceivable succession of time; nothing seems to be any obstacle to its progress. A multitude of persons taking hands, the first and the last connected with the electric machine, all feel the shock in the same instant; and were there a chain as conductor to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:1-5

The voice of the thunder. I. A VOICE OF TERROR . The deep roar, the wide volume of sound, the mystery and the majesty of the thunder, combine to make it strike us with awe. Thunder accompanied the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai ( Exodus 19:16 ). Men are naturally alarmed at any voice from heaven. God sometimes speaks to us in thunderous notes, i.e. through great calamities. Then we tremble as before an irresistible majesty. II. A VOICE OF NATURE . The thunder is part... 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 37:4

After it a voice roareth . After the lightning-flash has been seen, the thunderclap comes. In their origin they are simultaneous; but, as light travels faster than sound, unless we are close to the flash, then is an interval, the thunder following on the lightning . He thundereth with the voice of his excellency (see the comment on Job 37:2 ). And he will not stay them when his voice is heard . The words are plain, but the meaning is obscure. What will not God stay? His lightnings?... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 37:4

After it a voice roareth - After the lightning; that is, the flash is seen before the thunder is heard. This is apparent to all, the interval between the lightning and the hearing of the thunder depending on the distance. Lucretius, who has referred to the same fact, compares this with what occurs when a woodman is seen at a distance to wield an axe. The glance of the axe is seen long before the sound of the blow is heard:Sed tonitrum fit uti post antibus accipiamus,Fulgere quam cernunt ocuil,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 37:3-5

Job 37:3-5. He directeth it Namely, his voice, his thunder; under the whole heaven It is heard far and near, for he darts it through the whole region of the air: and his lightning, &c. Preceded by terrible, and often most destructive flashes of lightning, which shoot from one end of heaven to the other. After it a voice roareth After the lightning follow awful claps of thunder, more tremendous than the roarings of a lion; and he will not stay them They grow louder and louder,... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 37:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 37:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 37:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 37:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 37:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 37:3-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 37:1-24

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