Job 37:6

REGARDING OTHER NATURAL PHENOMENA

"For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth;

Likewise to the shower of rain,

And to the showers of the mighty rain.

He sealeth up the hand of every man,

That all men that he hath made may know it.

Then the beasts go into coverts,

And remain in their dens.

Out of the chamber of the south cometh the storm,

And cold out of the north.

By the breath of God ice is given;

And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture;

He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:

And it is turned around by his guidance,

That they may do whatever he commandeth them

Upon the face of the habitable world,

Whether it be for correction, or for his land,

Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come."

"He sealeth up the hand of every man" (Job 37:7). Rawlinson interpreted this to mean that, "In winter time and in periods of heavy rain, God puts an end to ordinary out-of-doors labor, that during the time of their enforced idleness, men may have leisure for reflection, and that they may employ it in meditating upon God and his marvelous work."[9]

"By the breath of God, ice is given; and the breadth of the waters is straitened" (Job 37:10). Driver wrote that the possible meaning here is: "The cold wind freezes the streams and pools."[10]

Job 37:11-13 is rendered as follows in the Anchor Bible:[11]

"He hurls lightning from the nimbus,

Scatters his light from the clouds.

It changes direction as he wills,

Doing whatever he commands

All over his inhabited earth.

Whether for discipline, or for grace,

Or for mercy, he makes it find its mark."

(See Pope's comment on this in the chapter introduction.)