Job 37:11 — Word Study
WLCאַף־ בְּ֭רִי יַטְרִ֣יחַ עָ֑ב יָ֝פִ֗יץ עֲנַ֣ן אוֹרֽוֹ׃
BSAHe loadsṭârach△▸ [fills, weights with moisture] the cloudsʻâb [thick cloud, dark cloud] with moisturerîy△ [water, shower of water] He scatterspûwts▸ [spreads abroad, disperses] His lightningʼôwr [bright cloud, light] through themʻânân [the clouds, His clouds]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַף־ | also | Particle |
| בְּ֭רִי | with moisture | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יַטְרִ֣יחַ | he burdens | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עָ֑ב | [the] dark cloud[s] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יָ֝פִ֗יץ | he scatters | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עֲנַ֣ן | [the] cloud of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אוֹרֽוֹ׃ | light his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. |
| KJV | Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: |
| ASV | Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning: |
| YLT | Yea, by filling He doth press out a cloud, Scatter a cloud doth His light. |
| WEB | Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning. |
| BBE | The thick cloud is weighted with thunder-flame, and the cloud sends out its light; |
Where they part company is in the translation of יַטְרִ֣יחַ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main verb with a prepositional phrase and a subsequent action, highlighting God's active role in creation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbטָרַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
2 of 7 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 37:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Sovereignty Over Naturegenerated
Job 37:11 highlights God's control over the natural elements, emphasizing how He fills the clouds with moisture and scatters lightning. This verse is part of a larger discussion in which Job reflects on the majesty of God as seen in nature, particularly in the context of storms and their significance, as illustrated in the surrounding verses of Job 37.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 36:27–28 | For He draws up drops of water which distill the rain from the mist, |
| 2 | Job 36:30–32 | See how He scatters His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea. |
| 3 | Isaiah 18:4 | For this is what the LORD has told me: “I will quietly look on from My dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” |
| 4 | Matthew 17:5 | While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַטְרִ֣יחַ, yat.Ri.achgenerated
The verb טָרַח (tarach) is in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative action, meaning 'to burden' or 'to overburden'. It conveys the idea of God actively filling the clouds with moisture, suggesting a deliberate and powerful action.
This term reflects God's sovereignty and control over the elements, as He burdens the clouds with water, indicating His provision for the earth. The use of this verb in this context emphasizes not just the act of filling but the weightiness of the moisture that sustains life.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יַטְרִ֣יחַ (he burdens) governs the sentence, with two phrases attached: a prepositional phrase describing what is being burdened and a second verb phrase indicating what is done with the burdened clouds.
The structure emphasizes God's active role in nature, with the clouds being the direct object of the verb, illustrating the relationship between God and His creation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יַטְרִ֣יחַ as καταπλάσσει, which conveys a sense of overwhelming or filling. This choice suggests a strong action of filling the clouds, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but potentially emphasizing a more intense action.
This translation choice reflects the Greek understanding of God's power over nature, reinforcing the theme of divine authority present in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 37:11 describes how God fills the clouds with moisture and scatters lightning through them. This verse highlights God's control over nature, showing His power in providing rain and creating storms.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God actively fills the clouds with water, preparing them to bring rain, which is essential for life.
Job mentions lightning to illustrate God's power and control over the elements, showing how He commands even the most dramatic aspects of nature.
This verse is part of a larger poetic discourse where Job reflects on God's majesty and sovereignty over creation, particularly in the context of storms.
We learn that God is powerful and sovereign, actively involved in the natural world, and that He provides for creation through His control over the weather.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I see God's provision in nature around me?
- In what ways can I recognize God's power in the storms of life?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's control over the elements?
- How can I reflect on God's majesty as I observe the natural world?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, linking the imagery of clouds and light to God's provision and the elect.
The corn desireth clouds. And the clouds scatter their light. For what are all the Elect, but the corn of God, to be treasured up in the heavenly garners? Which now bear with the chaff in the threshing of the floor;Early Church Fathers on Job 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 37:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAlso by watering he wearieth the thick cloud,.... By filling it with a multitude of water, it is as it were loaded and made weary with it; and especially by sending it about thus loaded from place to
Read John Gill on Job 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAlso by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: How the thunder-clouds are dispersed, or else employed by God either for correction or mercy. By watering - by loading it with water.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBy watering, to wit, the earth; by causing them first to receive and return, and then to pour forth abundance of water. He wearieth the thick cloud, by filling and burdening them with much water, and making them to go long journeys to water remote parts, and at last to spend and empty themselves there; all which things make men weary; and therefore are here said to make the clouds weary by a common figure called prosopopoeia. He scattereth his bright cloud: as for the white and lightsome clouds, (which are opposed to the thick and black clouds in the former clause,) he scattereth and dissolveth them by the wind or sun. Or, he scattereth other clouds by his light, i.e. by the beams of the…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:Ver. 11. Also by watering he wearieth the thick clouds] That is, by showering down of much rain he disburdeneth and dissipateth them, seem they never so thick and large. These seem to be troubled and tired out when, as they are watering the earth, they are wasted and drawn dry by the heat of the sun. He scattereth his bright cloud] Heb. the cloud of his light; that is, the cloud by dissolving whereof he restoreth light and fair weather, or the cloud which was covered over with lightning before, Job 36:30.
Read John Trapp on Job 37 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) He wearieth the thick cloud.—Also He ladeth the thick cloud with moisture, maketh it to be charged with rain. “He scattereth the cloud of His lightning,” that is, which containeth His lightning. Others render, “Yea, the bright sun weareth out (disperseth) the thick cloud; it scattereth the cloud that holds His lightning. And it (the cloud) is turned round about by His counsels, that they may do His purpose, even all which He commandeth them, upon the face of the habitable world.” Whether for correction, or for His land generally, or whether He causeth the rain to come as a special mercy:—these are the various purposes for which God reserves His showers.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 37 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 11. By watering he wearieth the thick cloud] Perhaps it would be better to say, The brightness beri, dissipates the cloud; or, if we follow our version, By watering the earth he wearieth, wearieth out or emptieth, the thick cloud - causes it to pour down all its contents upon the earth, that they may cause it to bring forth and bud. The Vulgate understood it differently: Frumentum desiderat nubes, et nubes spargunt lumen suum. "The grain desireth the clouds; and the clouds scatter abroad their light."
Read AdamClarke on Job 37 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11–13. The wonderful movements of the clouds directed by the guidance of God, and fulfilling His several behests. These verses read, 11. Also he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture, He spreadeth his lightning-cloud abroad; 12. And it is turned round about by his guidance, That it may do whatsoever he commandeth it Upon the face of the whole earth; 13. Whether it be for correction, or for his earth, Or for mercy that he causeth it to come.
Read Cambridge on Job 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAlso by watering - Very various interpretations have been given of this phrase.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 37 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them.
Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them.
He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.
Tyndale line
Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:
Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; he spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:
Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
He maketh also the cloudes to labour, to water the earth, and scattereth the cloude of his light.
Strictly literal
Also with plentiful moisture he loadeth the thick clouds, his light dispels the cloud;
Yea, by filling He doth press out a cloud, Scatter a cloud doth His light.
Indeed, by filling He presses out a cloud, [and] His light scatters a cloud.
Also with moisture he loadeth the cloud; [and] he scattereth the cloud of his lightning;
Indeed, he weighs down the thick cloud with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.
From the Latin
Corn desireth clouds, and the clouds spread their light:
Simplified
He fills the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning from them.
The thick cloud is weighted with thunder-flame, and the cloud sends out its light;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This alignment indicates a consistent understanding of the verse across these textual traditions.
אַף־ בְּ֭רִי יַטְרִ֣יחַ עָ֑ב יָ֝פִ֗יץ עֲנַ֣ן אוֹרֽוֹ׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 37:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אַף (aph) is a conjunction that indicates addition, often implying something greater. It can mean 'also,' 'yea,' or 'though,' and is used to connect ideas in a sentence. The entries highlight its use as both an adverb and conjunction, with a focus on its additive nature.
אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
base
H637 אַף conj. denoting addition, esp. of something greater, also, yea
637 'aph af
a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or
conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though:--also, +
although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, + how much less
(more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.
אַף (aph) — also.
conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater)
1) also, yea, though, so much the more
adv
2) furthermore, indeed
Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
HTj — ParticleHTj
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
רִי (riy) refers to moisture or irrigation, specifically a shower of water. It is derived from a root meaning to water and is used in the context of providing moisture, as noted in Job 37:11. The entries consistently focus on this meaning without significant disagreement.
רִי n.[m.] moisture;—abs. Jb 37:11.
ref
H7377 רִי
7377 riy ree
from 7301; irrigation, i.e. a shower:--watering.
see HEBREW for 07301
רִי (ri) — moisture.
moisture
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
טָרַח (tarach) is a primitive root meaning to overburden or to toil. It can also imply being burdened, particularly in the Hiphil form. The word is associated with the concept of weariness, as noted in Job 37:11.
[טָרַח] vb. toil, be burdened—Hiph. Jb 37:11
ref
H2959 טָרַח
2959 tarach taw-rakh'
a primitive root; to overburden:--weary.
טָרַח (ta.rach) — to burden.
(Hiphil) to burden, toil, be burdened
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
עָב (‘ab) refers to a dark cloud or cloud mass, and can also mean a thicket. The word is derived from a root meaning to envelop or cover, suggesting density or darkness. It appears in contexts related to clouds and thick vegetation, as noted in 2 Chronicles 4:17.
עָב 53 n.m. dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
base
H5645 עָב dark cloud, cloud-mass, thicket
5645 `ab awb
(masculine and feminine); from 5743; properly, an envelope,
i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chron. 4:17); specifically, a
(scud) cloud; also a copse:--clay, (thick) cloud, X thick,
thicket. Compare 5672.
see HEBREW for 05743
see HEBREW for 05672
עָב (av) — cloud.
1) darkness, cloud, thicket
1a) dark cloud
1b) cloud mass
1c) thicket (as refuge)
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The Hebrew word פּוּץ (puwts) primarily means to scatter or disperse, applicable to both people and armies. It can also convey the idea of flowing or overflowing. The noun form מֵפִיץ (mephits) refers to a scatterer. Additionally, it has connotations of breaking or shattering, as seen in related forms.
[פּוּץ] vb. be dispersed, scattered
Qal be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
Niph.
be scattered, of army
be spread abroad, of peoples
Hiph.
trans. scatter
intrans. scatter
base
מֵפִיץ n.m. scatterer, disperser
base
פּוּץ vb. flow, overflow
base
[פָּצַץ] vb. break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush)
Pō‛. a hammer which shatters rock.
Pilp. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
base
H6327a פּוּץ be dispersed, scattered .be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
. . be scattered, of army
. be spread abroad, of peoples
. . trans. scatter
. intrans. scatter
H6327b מֵפִיץ scatterer, disperser H6327c פּוּץ flow, overflow H6327d [פָּצַץ] break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush) . a hammer which shatters rock.
. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
6327 puwts poots
a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or
figuratively (especially to disperse):--break (dash, shake)
in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive,
retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad.
פּוּץ (puts) — to scatter.
1) to scatter, be dispersed, be scattered
1a) (Qal) to be dispersed, be scattered
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be scattered
1b2) to be spread abroad
1c) (Hiphil) to scatter
1d) Hithpael) scatter
מֵפִיץ (me.phits) — scatterer.
n.m.
scatterer
פּוּץ (puts) — to flow.
(Qal) to flow, overflow
פָּצַץ (pa.tsats) — to shatter.
1) to break
1a) (Polel) to shatter
1b) (Pilpel) to dash to pieces
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
עָנָן (anan) means 'cloud' and can refer to a cloud-mass or a theophanic cloud, which is a divine manifestation. It is derived from the root word עָנָה (anah). The term is used in contexts related to weather and divine presence.
עָנָן 87 n.m. cloud-mass, cloud
cloud-mass
cloud of incense
base
H6051 עָנָן cloud-mass, cloud
6051 `anan aw-nawn'
from 6049; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or
thunder-cloud:--cloud(-y).
see HEBREW for 06049
עָנָן (a.nan) — cloud.
1) cloud, cloudy, cloud-mass
1a) cloud-mass (of theophanic cloud)
1b) cloud
Aramaic equivalent: a.nan (עֲנָן "cloud" H6050)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אוֹר (or) means 'light' and encompasses various forms of illumination, including daylight, dawn, and the light of heavenly bodies like the sun and stars. It can also refer to metaphorical concepts such as the light of life, prosperity, and instruction, as well as Yahweh as a source of light.
אוֹר 121 n.m. light
light as diffused in nature, light of day
morning light, dawn
light of the heavenly luminaries
daylight
lightning
light of lamp
light of life
light of prosperity
light of instruction
light of face
Yahweh
base
H216 אוֹר light . light as diffused in nature, light of day
. morning light, dawn
. light of the heavenly luminaries
. daylight
. lightning
. light of lamp
. light of life
. light of prosperity
. light of instruction
. light of face
. Yahweh
216 'owr ore
from 215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every
sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):--bright, clear,
+ day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
see HEBREW for 0215
אוֹר (or) — light.
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
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms