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Job 37:12

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 37:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,
Job 37:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9Out of the chamber [of the south] cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.
10By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:
12And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,
13Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come.
14Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15Dost thou know how God layeth [his charge] upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
← Job 37:11Job 37:13 →
← Full Chapter 37 Job Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it is turned round about by his counsels, etc.] The cloud is, and that by the wind, which is turned about to all points of the compass, according to the will of God; by the counsels of him who sits at the helm, as the word signifies, and orders all things according to the counsel of his own will: to which owing every shifting of the wind, and the various motions of the clouds; that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth; as all his creatures do; the several meteors in the air, clouds, stormy wind, fire, hail, snow, and vapour, all fulfilling his word; and which they do everywhere in the several parts of the world whither they are sent,…”
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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
“it--the cloud of lightning. counsels--guidance (Psa 148:8); literally, "steering"; the clouds obey God's guidance, as the ship does the helmsman. So the lightning (see on Job 36:31-32); neither is haphazard in its movements. they--the clouds, implied in the collective singular "it." face of the world, &c.--in the face of the earth's circle.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And it is turned round about - The word here rendered “it” (הוא hû') may refer either to the “cloud,” and then it will mean that it is driven about at the pleasure of God; or it may refer to God, and then it will mean that “he” drives it about at pleasure. The sense is not materially varied. The use of the Hebrew participle rendered “turned about” (in Hithpael), would rather imply that it refers to the cloud. The sense then is, that it turns itself round about - referring to the appearance of a cloud in the sky that rolls itself about from one place to another. By his counsels - By the counsels or purposes of God. It is not by any agency or power of its own, but it is by laws such as he has…”
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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
“Turned - The clouds are carried about to this or that place. Not by chance (though nothing seems to be more casual than the motions of the clouds) but by his order and governance. Job 37:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“it: Psa 65:9, Psa 65:10, Psa 104:24; Jer 14:22; Joe 2:23; Amo 4:7 that: Psa 148:8; Jam 5:17, Jam 5:18; Rev 11:6 Job 37:13”
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Related study paths

Read Job 37 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification