Job 37:1-13

Elihu trembles at this. Listen to the thunder. First the lightning flashes (Job 37:3) then the thunder follows (Job 37:4 f.).

Job 37:2 suggests that a thunderstorm was actually taking place while Elihu was speaking, and many see in this a preparation for the manifestation of Yahweh in ch. 38. It is not clear, however, that the author intended this, as he passes on from the thunderstorm to snow and rain. These God sends on the earth (Job 37:6). They stop the work of man (Job 37:7) and drive the beasts to the covert of their dens (Job 37:8). The storm comes out of the chamber (where it dwells), and cold from the granaries where it is treasured (reading granaries for the word translated north in Job 37:9 b, and omitting the words of the south in Job 37:9 a, to which there is nothing corresponding in the Hebrew). Ice is formed by the breath of God (i.e. the winter wind), and the waters are congealed (so mg.). God fills the cloud with moisture, and guides the lightning to do His will, whether for correction or for mercy.

Omit or in Job 37:13 a as a mistaken repetition, and read, Whether it be for correction for His land, or for mercy.