Job 37:9

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 37:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Out of the chamber [of the south] cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Out of the chamber [of the south] cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.
Job 37:9 — 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Out of the south cometh the whirlwind, etc.] Or “from the chamber” f1283; from the chamber of the cloud, as Ben Gersom, from the inside of it; or from the treasury of God, who bringeth the wind out of his treasures; alluding to chambers where treasures are kept; or from the heavens, shut up and veiled around with clouds like a pavilion: but because we read of the chambers of the south, (<180909>Job 9:9); and the southern pole was like a secret chamber, shut up, unseen, and unknown very much to the ancients; hence we render it, and others interpret it, of the south; from whence in these countries came whirlwinds. Hence we read of the whirlwinds of the south, (<232101>Isaiah 21:1…”
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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
“south--literally, "chambers"; connected with the south (Job 9:9). The whirlwinds are poetically regarded as pent up by God in His southern chambers, whence He sends them forth (so Job 38:22; Psa 135:7). As to the southern whirlwinds (see Isa 21:1; Zac 9:14), they drive before them burning sands; chiefly from February to May. the north--literally, "scattering"; the north wind scatters the clouds.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Out of the south - Margin, “chamber.” Jerome, “ab interioribus - from the interior,” or “inner places.” Septuagint, ἐκ ταυείων ek taueiōn - “from their chambers issue sorrows” - ὀωύνας othunas. The Hebrew word used here (חדר cheder) denotes properly “an apartment,” or “chamber,” especially an inner apartment, or a chamber in the interior of a house or tent: Genesis 43:30; Judges 16:9, Judges 16:12. Hence, it means a bed-chamber, 2 Samuel 4:7, or a female apartment or harem, Song of Solomon 1:4; Song of Solomon 3:4. In Job 9:9, it is connected with the “south” - “the chambers of the south” (see the notes at that place), and means some remote, hidden regions in that quarter. There can be…”
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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
“Cold - Freezing winds. Job 37:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“south: Heb. chamber, Job 9:9; Psa 104:3 the whirlwind: Job 38:1; Isa 21:1; Zac 9:14 north: Heb. scattering winds Job 37:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification