Job 37:15
Job 37:15 in Multiple Translations
Do you know how God dispatches the clouds or makes the lightning flash?
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Dost thou know how God layeth his charge upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Have you knowledge of God's ordering of his works, how he makes the light of his cloud to be seen?
Do you know how God controls the clouds, or makes his lightning flash from them?
Diddest thou knowe when God disposed them? and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Dost thou know when God doth place them, And caused to shine the light of His cloud?
Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Dost thou know when God commanded the rains, to shew his light of his clouds?
◄Do you know how God commands the lightning to flash down from the clouds?/We do not know how God commands the lightning to flash down from the clouds.► [RHQ]
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 37:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 37:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֲ֭/תֵדַע
בְּ/שׂוּם
אֱל֣וֹהַּ
עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
וְ֝/הוֹפִ֗יעַ
א֣וֹר
עֲנָנֽ/וֹ
הֲ֭/תֵדַע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
בְּ/שׂוּם
sûwm
H7760
to set
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֱל֣וֹהַּ
ʼĕlôwahh
H433
god
N-ms
עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
וְ֝/הוֹפִ֗יעַ
yâphaʻ
H3313
to shine
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
א֣וֹר
ʼôwr
H216
light
N-cs
עֲנָנֽ/וֹ
ʻânân
H6051
cloud
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 37:15
הֲ֭/תֵדַע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
בְּ/שׂוּם
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
אֱל֣וֹהַּ
ʼĕlôwahh
H433
"god"
N-ms
Eloah refers to God or a deity, and is used to describe the one true God or false gods. It is often translated as God in the KJV, and is related to the word Elohim, which also refers to God.
Definition: 1) God 2) false god Aramaic equivalent: e.lah (אֱלָהּ "god" H0426)
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: God, god. See H430 (אֱלֹהִים). See also: Deuteronomy 32:15; Job 22:26; Psalms 18:32.
עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
וְ֝/הוֹפִ֗יעַ
yâphaʻ
H3313
"to shine"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to shine or send out beams of light, used in the Bible to describe God's glory. It appears in the Psalms and Isaiah, describing God's radiant splendor. In the KJV, it's translated as 'be light' or 'shine forth'.
Definition: 1) to shine, shine forth or out, cause to shine, send out beams 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to shine out, shine forth, send out beams 1a2) to cause to shine
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: be light, shew self, (cause to) shine (forth). See also: Deuteronomy 33:2; Job 37:15; Psalms 50:2.
א֣וֹר
ʼôwr
H216
"light"
N-cs
Light, including natural light from the sun or stars, and also spiritual light from God. It can refer to happiness, prosperity, or understanding. In the Bible, God is often described as the source of light and life.
Definition: 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Usage: Occurs in 110 OT verses. KJV: bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. See also: Genesis 1:3; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 4:7.
עֲנָנֽ/וֹ
ʻânân
H6051
"cloud"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means a cloud or cloudy, and is used to describe the cloud that God uses to appear to his people. It appears in the Bible to describe God's presence, and is translated as cloud in the KJV.
Definition: 1) cloud, cloudy, cloud-mass 1a) cloud-mass (of theophanic cloud) 1b) cloud Aramaic equivalent: a.nan (עֲנָן "cloud" H6050)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: cloud(-y). See also: Genesis 9:13; Deuteronomy 1:33; Psalms 78:14.
Study Notes — Job 37:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 37:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 37:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 37:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 37:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 37:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 37:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 37:15
- Cambridge Bible on Job 37:15
- Barnes' Notes on Job 37:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 37:15
- Sermons on Job 37:15
Context — Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty
13Whether for punishment or for His land, He accomplishes this in His loving devotion.
14Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wonders of God.
15Do you know how God dispatches the clouds or makes the lightning flash?
16Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? 17You whose clothes get hot when the land lies hushed under the south wind,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 36:30–32 | See how He scatters His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea. For by these He judges the nations and provides food in abundance. He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. |
| 2 | Isaiah 40:26 | Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. |
| 3 | Job 37:11 | He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. |
| 4 | Job 38:4–41 | Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’? In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place, that it might spread to the ends of the earth and shake the wicked out of it? The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its hills stand out like the folds of a garment. Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken. Have you journeyed to the vents of the sea or walked in the trenches of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Have you surveyed the extent of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. Where is the way to the home of light? Do you know where darkness resides, so you can lead it back to its border? Do you know the paths to its home? Surely you know, for you were already born! And the number of your days is great! Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle? In which direction is the lightning dispersed, or the east wind scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the flood or clears a path for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives, to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass? Does the rain have a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb does the ice emerge? Who gives birth to the frost from heaven, when the waters become hard as stone and the surface of the deep is frozen? Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear and her cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth? Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you? Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the heart or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Or who can tilt the water jars of the heavens when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods of earth stick together? Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions when they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket? Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food? |
| 5 | Job 28:24–27 | For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When God fixed the weight of the wind and measured out the waters, when He set a limit for the rain and a path for the thunderbolt, then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He established it and searched it out. |
| 6 | Job 34:13 | Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? |
| 7 | Psalms 119:90–91 | Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You. |
Job 37:15 Summary
This verse is asking if we know how God is in control of the weather, sending clouds and lightning across the sky. It's a reminder that God is all-powerful and wise, and that He is always in control, even when we don't understand what's happening, as seen in Psalm 135:7. Just like the weather can be unpredictable, our lives can be unpredictable too, but we can trust that God is always working everything out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28. By acknowledging God's power and control, we can learn to trust in Him more and more, and to have a deeper reverence for His majesty and wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main idea of Job 37:15?
The main idea of Job 37:15 is to highlight God's power and control over nature, specifically the weather, as seen in the dispatching of clouds and the flashing of lightning, which is a reminder of His majesty and wisdom, as also seen in Psalm 104:1-4.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows God's character as all-powerful and all-knowing, as He is able to control the clouds and lightning, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation, as also stated in Jeremiah 10:13 and Job 38:1.
What is the purpose of Elihu's question in this verse?
The purpose of Elihu's question is to prompt Job to consider and acknowledge God's greatness and wisdom, and to recognize the limitations of human understanding, as also seen in Isaiah 55:9 and Romans 11:33.
How can this verse be applied to our lives?
This verse can be applied to our lives by reminding us to trust in God's power and wisdom, even when we do not understand the circumstances of our lives, and to acknowledge His sovereignty over all things, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 23:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which God's power and control over nature are evident in my life, and how can I cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence for Him?
- How do I respond when I encounter things that are beyond my understanding, and what can I learn from Elihu's example in this verse?
- In what ways can I apply the truth of God's sovereignty over all things to my daily life, and how can I trust in His goodness and wisdom even when circumstances are difficult?
- What are some things that I can do to deepen my understanding of God's character and to cultivate a greater sense of reverence for Him, as seen in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 37:15
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine? When - rather, how. Disposed them - lays His charge on [ bªsuwm (H7760) `al (H5921)] these wonders (Job 37:14) to arise. Light - lightning.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 37:15
When God disposed them, to wit, the things before mentioned, the clouds, rain, snow, thunder and lightning, and other meteors. Did God ask counsel from thee to acquaint thee with his counsels in the producing and ordering of them, when, and where, and in what manner he should dispose them? God ordereth all these things not as it pleaseth thee, but as he thinks meet; and in like manner he disposeth of all human affairs, and of thine among the rest. Caused the light of his cloud to shine; which may be understood either, 1. Of the light of the sun breaking through the clouds, when it is most glorious and comfortable. But though this light break through the clouds, yet it is very improper to call it the light of the clouds. Or, 2. The lightning, which is properly so called, as being produced by and in a cloud. Or, 3. The rainbow, which is a lightsome and glorious work of God, and therefore not likely to be omitted in this place, and which is seated in a cloud, which also may well be called God’ s cloud, because therein God puts his bow, as the rainbow is called, .
Trapp's Commentary on Job 37:15
Job 37:15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?Ver. 15. Dost thou know when God disposed them] viz. Those wondrous works of God in the air especially; those varieties of meteors, the generation and motions whereof the greatest philosophers cannot perfectly find out by their natural causes, neither do they well agree among themselves concerning those causes. For Anaximander holdeth one thing, Metrodorus another, Anaxagoras a third, Aristotle a fourth; let those that have a mind to it read their janglings and disputes in Plutarch, De placitis philosophorum. Now if no man (though never so wise) can understand the wondrous works of God in these common things of nature, how can he comprehend his hidden works, hoc est, crucem? saith Brentius. And caused the light of his cloud to shine?] Or, That he may cause the light of his cloud to shine. Hereby he meaneth lightnings, issuing out of the moist and cold cloud, say some; the rainbow, say others, that wonderful work of God (feigned therefore by the heathens to be the daughter of Thaumantias, or of wonderment), which is full of wonders, witness the beautiful shape thereof and various colours, with their several significations, as some conceive (Plato); the several prognostics; viz. of rain in the morning, of fair weather in the evening, as Scaliger concludeth; the form of it, a bow, which yet never shooteth any man unless it be with astonishment and love, &c. God puts his bow in his hand (saith Ambrose on Genesis 9:13), not his arrow, but his bow, and the string of the bow is to us ward. The Jews conceit that the name Jehovah is written on the rainbow, and therefore they no sooner see it, but they hide their eyes, confess their sins, that deserve a second deluge, celebrate God’ s great goodness to mankind, &c. Some by the light of God’ s cloud here understand the sunshine through the clouds, causing it to clear up.
Now who can certainly foretell rain or fair weather? Some learned men have spent much time and pains in astronomy to get skill in prognosticating, but could do little good of it; when they foretell a fair day it commonly raineth, and the contrary. The countryman’ s prognostics, the shepherd’ s calendar, hold better, for the most part, than the predictions of these artisans.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 37:15
(15) Light of His cloud—i.e., lightning, as before. “Dost thou know all the secrets of God’s thunderbolts, at whom and how He will use them?” Some understand this otherwise: “Dost thou know when God setteth the sun over them (the clouds), and causeth the light (i.e., the sun) to shine upon His cloud?” i.e., “Dost thou know how God useth the sun to disperse the clouds?”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 37:15
Verse 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, and the note there.
Cambridge Bible on Job 37:15
15. when God disposed them] Rather, how God layeth his command upon them, and causeth, &c.?
Barnes' Notes on 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.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 37:15
Third division — AN TO JOB OF THE . THE FOLLY OF WITH GOD, OR OF TO GRASP THE MYSTERY OF WHILE THE OF GOD’S WORKING IN NATURE REMAIN , Job 37:14-24.a.
Sermons on Job 37:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Be Still by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being still and knowing that God is in control. He encourages the audience to develop a deep and loving relationship with |
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(John - Part 3): The Beauteous World as Made by Him by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God's word in upholding and sustaining the universe. He highlights the beauty and order that God has created in the world. The |
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The Beauteous World as Made by Him, and His Reception Into It by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God's word in upholding and sustaining the universe. He highlights the beauty and order that God has created in the world. The |
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What Is the Secret of Thy Strength by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the 400-year gap between the books of Matthew and Malachi in the Bible. During this time, there was a lack of true spiritual connection with |
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(Divine Attributes) 06 the Immensity of God by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of continually seeking a fresh revelation of God in our lives. He references the Apostle Paul, who considered everything else |
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Isaiah (Part 2) - That They May Serve Me by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preparing the way for the Lord. He quotes from Isaiah, stating that every valley will be exalted and every mountain and hi |
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Wonders of Creation Redemption - Part 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the wonders of God in creation and emphasizes the need to have greater thoughts of God. He mentions the extraordinary coordination of mind, |