Job 36:33

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 36:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning [the storm] that cometh up.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning [the storm] that cometh up.
Job 36:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
33The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning [the storm] that cometh up.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The noise thereof showeth concerning it, etc.] The rain, that it is coming; it is a presage and prognostic of it, namely, the noise of the clouds in the air, the sound of abundance of rain there; or the noise of the winds, which is often a forerunner of it: or the noise of thunder when rain frequently follows, (<241013>Jeremiah 10:13); the cattle also concerning the vapour; that is, the cattle likewise show signs of rain, being sensible of the vapours which rise up out of the earth, and are drawn up into the air and form clouds there; these, through their sharp sight, discern the vapours rising out of the earth insensible by men; or by their quick smell f1260 or taste discern them, these…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“noise--rather, He revealeth it (literally, "announceth concerning it") to His friend (antithesis to adversary, Job 36:32, so the Hebrew is translated, Job 2:11); also to cattle and plants (literally, "that which shooteth up"; Gen 40:10; Gen 41:22). As the genial effect of "water" in the growth of food, is mentioned, Job 36:31, so here that of "light" in cherishing cattle and plants [UMBREIT]. If English Version, "noise" be retained, translate, "His noise (thunder) announces concerning Him (His coming in the tempest), the cattle (to announce) concerning Him when He is in the act of rising up" (in the storm). Some animals give various intimations that they are sensible of the approach of a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The noise thereof showeth concerning it - The word “noise” here has been inserted by our translators as a version of the Hebrew word (רעו rê‛ô), and if the translators attached any idea to the language which they have used, it seems to have been that the noise attending the lightning, that is, the thunder, furnished an illustration of the power and majesty of God. But it is not possible to educe this idea from the original, and perhaps it is not possible to determine the sense of the passage. Herder renders it, “He pointeth out to them the wicked.” Prof. Lee, “By it he announceth his will.” Umbreit, “He makes known to it his friend;” that is, he points out his friend to the light, so that…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The noise - The thunder gives notice of the approaching rain. Also - And as the thunder, so also the cattle sheweth, concerning the vapour, concerning the coming of the rain, by a strange instinct, seeking for shelter, when a change of weather is near. Next: Job Chapter 37”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“noise: Job 36:29, Job 37:2; Sa2 22:14; Kg1 18:41-45 the cattle: Jer 14:4-6; Joe 1:18, Joe 2:22 the vapour: Heb. that which goeth up, Job 36:27 Next: Job Chapter 37”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification