Job 37:3

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 37:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth.
Job 37:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He directeth it under the whole heaven, etc.] His voice of thunder, which rolls from one end of the heaven to the other: he charges the clouds with it, and directs both it and them where they shall go and discharge; what tree, house, or man, it shall strike; and where the rain shall fall when the clouds burst: yet Pliny f1267 atheistically calls thunder and lightning chance matters. Thus the ministers of the word, who are compared to clouds, (<230506>Isaiah 5:6), are charged with it by the Lord: they are directed by him what they shall say, where they shall go and declare it, and he directs where it shall fall with power and weight; yea, he directs it into the very hearts of men, where it…”
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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
“directeth it--however zigzag the lightning's course; or, rather, it applies to the pealing roll of the thunder. God's all-embracing power. ends--literally, "wings," "skirts," the habitable earth being often compared to an extended garment (Job 38:13; Isa 11:12).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He directeth it under the whole heaven - It is under the control of God, and he directs it where he pleases. It is not confined to one spot, but seems to be complaining from every part of the heavens. And his lightning - Margin, as in Hebrew “light.” There can be no doubt that the lightning is intended. Unto the ends of the earth - Margin, as in Hebrew “wings.” The word wings is given to the earth from the idea of its being spread out or expanded like the wings of a bird; compare Job 38:13; Ezekiel 7:2. The earth was spoken of as an expanse or plain that had corners or boundaries (see Isaiah 11:12, note; Isaiah 24:16, note; Isaiah 42:5, note), and the meaning here is, that God spread the…”
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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
“Directeth - His voice: which he guideth like an arrow to the mark, that it may do that work for which he sends it. Job 37:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He: Psa 77:13, Psa 97:4; Mat 24:27; Rev 11:19 lightning: Heb. light ends: Heb. wings, Job 38:13; Isa 11:12 \*marg. Job 37:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification