Job 37:7

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 37:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know [it].” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know [it].
Job 37:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know [it].

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 sealeth up the hand of every man, etc.] That is, by deep snows and heavy rains being on the earth; where, as travellers are stopped in their journeys, and cannot proceed, so various artificers are hindered from their work, and husbandmen especially from their employment in the fields; so that their hands are as it were shut up and sealed, that they cannot work with them. Sephorno interprets this of the fruits and increase of the earth being produced and brought to perfection by means of the snow and rain, and so gathered by and into the hands of men; whereby they are led to observe the work of God and his goodness herein, and so to love and fear him; which he takes to be the sense of the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In winter God stops man's out-of-doors activity. sealeth--closeth up (Job 9:7). Man's "hands" are then tied up. his work--in antithesis to man's own work ("hand") which at other times engages men so as to make them liable to forget their dependence on God. UMBREIT more literally translates, That all men whom He has made (literally, "of His making") may be brought to acknowledgment."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He sealeth up the hand of every man - That is, in the winter, when the snow is on the ground, when the streams are frozen, and when the labors of the husbandman cease. The idea of “sealing up the hand” is derived from the common purpose of a seal, to make fast, to close up, to secure (compare Job 9:7, note; Job 33:16, note), and the sense is, that the hands can no more be used in ordinary toil. Every man in the snow and rain of winter is prevented from going abroad to his accustomed toil, and is, as it were, sealed up in his dwelling. The idea is exquisitely beautiful. God confines human beings and beasts in their houses or caves, until the winter has passed by. That all men may know his…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Sealeth - By these snows and rains he drives men out of the fields, and seals or binds up their hands from their work. That - They may seriously contemplate on these, and other great and glorious works of God. Job 37:9”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“37:7 everyone stops working . . . watch his power: The ending of the agricultural work season gave people time to meditate on God’s providential control.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He: Job 5:12, Job 9:7 that: Job 36:24; Psa 46:8, Psa 64:9, Psa 92:4, Psa 109:27, Psa 111:2; Ecc 8:17; Isa 5:12, Isa 26:11 Job 37:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification