King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
Complete Jewish Bible:
There follows a sound, a roar -he is thundering with his majestic voice, and he keeps releasing [the lightning] even while his voice is being heard.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then there comes a roaring sound; He thunders with His majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightning when His voice resounds.
American Standard Version:
After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not the lightnings when his voice is heard.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
After{H310} it a voice{H6963} roareth{H7580}: he thundereth{H7481} with the voice{H6963} of his excellency{H1347}; and he will not stay{H6117} them when his voice{H6963} is heard{H8085}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 68:33
- To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, [which were] of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, [and that] a mighty voice.
Psalms 29:3
- The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD [is] upon many waters.
Psalms 29:9
- The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.
Deuteronomy 33:26
- ¶ [There is] none like unto the God of Jeshurun, [who] rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
Job 36:27
- For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
Job 36:33
- The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
Exodus 15:7
- And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, [which] consumed them as stubble.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 37:4
Job 37:4 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament in the Christian canon. The Book of Job deals with the themes of human suffering, divine justice, and the mystery of why the righteous suffer. It is set in a narrative framework in which the character Job, a man known for his piety and righteousness, is beset by a series of catastrophes that take away his wealth, children, and health.
In the context of the book, Job 37:4 is part of a speech by Elihu, one of Job's friends who comes to offer his perspective on Job's suffering. Elihu speaks about the power and majesty of God as seen in the natural world, particularly in the phenomenon of thunderstorms. The verse describes the awe-inspiring and powerful voice of God in the thunder, emphasizing that His voice is an expression of His excellency and sovereignty. The phrase "he will not stay them when his voice is heard" suggests that God's purposes cannot be thwarted or delayed; once He speaks, His will is accomplished.
The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, with scholars suggesting various time periods ranging from the patriarchal era to the time of the Babylonian Exile. Regardless of its exact dating, the book reflects ancient Near Eastern ideas about wisdom, retribution, and the nature of God.
In summary, Job 37:4 is a poetic expression of the awesomeness of God's power as manifested in nature, particularly in thunder. It underscores the theme that God's voice, representing His will and excellency, is irresistible and carries the authority of divine sovereignty. This verse contributes to the broader exploration in the Book of Job of the ineffable nature of God and the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine mystery.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. - Strong's Number: H7580
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַג
Transliteration: shâʼag
Pronunciation: shaw-ag'
Description: a primitive root; to rumble or moan; [idiom] mightily, roar. - Strong's Number: H7481
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעַם
Transliteration: râʻam
Pronunciation: raw-am'
Description: a primitive root; to tumble, i.e. be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively, to irritate (with anger); make to fret, roar, thunder, trouble. - Strong's Number: H1347
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּאוֹן
Transliteration: gâʼôwn
Pronunciation: gaw-ohn'
Description: from גָּאָה; the same as גַּאֲוָהxlit gaʻăvâh corrected to gaʼăvâh; {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament}; arrogancy, excellency(-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling. - Strong's Number: H6117
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָקַב
Transliteration: ʻâqab
Pronunciation: aw-kab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to swell out or up; used only as denominative from עָקֵב,; to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel); take by the heel, stay, supplant, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.