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Job 37:15

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 37:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Dost thou know how God layeth [his charge] upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Dost thou know how God layeth [his charge] upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Job 37:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
16Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south [wind]?
18Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?
← Job 37:14Job 37:16 →
← 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
“Dost thou know when God disposed them? etc.] 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 them with rain, hail, snow, etc. disposed of them here and there in the heavens, and gave them orders to fall on this and the other spot of ground; wast thou present at all this, and knew what God was doing secretly in the clouds, and before heard what would break out of them, or fall from them? and if thou art ignorant of these things, canst thou imagine that thou shouldest be made acquainted with the secret springs of God’s providential dealings with the children of men? and caused the light…”
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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
“when--rather, "how." disposed them--lays His charge on these "wonders" (Job 37:14) to arise. light--lightning. shine--flash. How is it that light arises from the dark thundercloud?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. So the Hebrew implies, and so the connection demands. The question was not whether Job knew “when” all this was done, but whether he could explain “how” it was that God thus arranged and ordered the things referred to. Elihu asks him whether he could explain the manner in which the balancings of the clouds were preserved; in which the lightnings were directed; in which his garments were warm, and in which God had made and sustained the sky? The Septuagint renders this, “We…”
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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
“Them - The things before mentioned, the clouds, rain, snow, and other meteors. Did God acquaint thee with his counsels in the producing and ordering of them? His cloud - Probably the rainbow, seated in a cloud, which may well be called God's cloud, because therein God puts his bow, Gen 9:13. Job 37:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Dost: Job 28:24-27, Job 34:13, 38:4-41; Psa 119:90, Psa 119:91; Isa 40:26 the light: Job 37:11, Job 36:30-32, Job 38:24, Job 38:25 Job 37:16”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification