Job 37:1

KJV

¶ At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

KJV (with Strong's)

At this {H2063} also my heart {H3820} trembleth {H2729}, and is moved out {H5425} of his place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"At this, my own heart trembles and leaps out of its place.

Berean Standard Bible

“At this my heart also pounds and leaps from its place.

American Standard Version

Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 37:1 captures the profound and visceral reaction of Elihu as he contemplates the overwhelming power and majestic, sometimes terrifying, presence of God, particularly as revealed through the forces of nature. His declaration serves as a powerful transition, emphasizing the awe-inspiring and incomprehensible aspects of the Almighty and preparing the listener for a detailed exposition of divine might in creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 37:1 marks a pivotal moment within Elihu's extensive speeches, which span from [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's Introduction") through [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu's Exaltation of God's Power"). Elihu, the youngest of Job's interlocutors, has positioned himself as an arbiter, correcting the flawed theology of Job's three friends while also challenging Job's self-righteousness. Unlike the others, Elihu emphasizes God's justice and wisdom in suffering, often using creation as a testament to divine sovereignty. This particular verse acts as a dramatic prelude to Elihu's climactic description of God's control over meteorological phenomena—thunder, lightning, rain, and storms—which he details in the verses immediately following, such as [Job 37:2-5](/job/37-2-5 "Job 37:2-5 - God's Thundering Voice"). His words build a sense of impending divine revelation, directly preceding God's own direct address to Job from the whirlwind in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"), making Elihu's discourse a vital theological bridge.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in the land of Uz, a region known for its wisdom traditions. In this cultural milieu, natural phenomena were not merely scientific occurrences but were universally understood as direct manifestations of divine power and will. Thunderstorms, in particular, were often associated with the presence and voice of deity, as seen in various ancient cosmologies and even in biblical accounts like [Psalm 29](/psalms/29 "Psalm 29 - The Voice of the Lord"). The people of this era lived in much closer proximity to the raw, untamed forces of nature, making Elihu's trembling reaction a deeply relatable and authentic human response to the terrifying grandeur of a storm, perceived as a direct encounter with the Almighty. This worldview contrasts sharply with modern scientific understanding, highlighting the profound spiritual implications that natural events held for ancient peoples, shaping their understanding of divine majesty and human humility.
* **Key Themes:** Elihu's discourse, culminating in the visceral reaction expressed in [Job 37:1](/job/37-1 "Job 37:1 - Elihu's Awe of God"), powerfully underscores several key themes. First and foremost is the **Awe and Reverence for God's Power**, demonstrating that the Creator's might is immense, uncontainable, and far beyond human comprehension or control, eliciting a natural response of trembling and disorientation. This leads to the theme of **Human Limitation**, highlighting humanity's inherent smallness and inability to fully grasp or manipulate God's vast works, emphasizing the profound mystery of God's ways which transcend human understanding. Furthermore, Elihu reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control over all creation, including the most powerful natural forces, thereby humbling humanity and exalting God. Finally, Elihu's response exemplifies the **Fear of the Lord**, not as a cowering terror, but as a profound, reverential respect and deep understanding of God's majesty, holiness, and unfathomable wisdom, which Scripture often describes as the very [beginning of wisdom](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trembleth (Hebrew, _chârad'_):** The Hebrew verb חָרַד (chârad, H2729) signifies a deep, involuntary physical and emotional response. It means to shudder with terror, to fear, or to hasten with anxiety. This word is often used in contexts of intense fear, awe, or alarm, such as when Jacob's household trembled before Esau ([Genesis 27:33](/genesis/27-33 "Genesis 27:33 - Jacob's Deception Revealed")) or when the people trembled at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Thunder and Lightning at Sinai")). Here, Elihu's use of _chârad_ conveys an intense, almost uncontrollable physical and internal disturbance in response to the sheer magnitude of God's power.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** The Hebrew noun לֵב (lêb, H3820) refers to the heart, but is used figuratively and very widely in biblical thought for the feelings, the will, and even the intellect. It represents the center of one's being, the core of the inner person. When Elihu declares his heart trembles, it means his entire being—his emotions, thoughts, and will—is profoundly affected and agitated, signifying a complete internal response rather than just a superficial feeling.
* **Moved out (Hebrew, _nâthar'_):** The Hebrew verb נָתַר (nâthar, H5425) is a primitive root meaning to jump, to be violently agitated, or causatively, to terrify, shake off, or untie. When applied to the heart being "moved out of his place," it forms an idiomatic expression signifying a profound sense of disorientation, being utterly unsettled, or dislodged from one's normal state of being. It's a powerful depiction of spiritual and physical perturbation, suggesting that Elihu's very core being is dislodged by the contemplation of God's overwhelming might, unable to remain in its usual composure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"At this also":** This opening phrase serves as a crucial anaphoric reference, pointing back to the preceding discussions and, more specifically, forward to the imminent description of God's awe-inspiring acts in nature. Elihu is signaling that the subject matter he is about to introduce—the divine control over the elements—is so profound that it elicits an immediate and intense personal reaction, building anticipation for what follows.
* **"my heart trembleth":** This clause describes Elihu's immediate, visceral, and involuntary physical and emotional response. The "heart" (לֵב, _lêb_) in Hebrew thought is not merely the organ of emotion but the seat of intellect, will, and the entire inner person. Thus, Elihu's entire being, his core essence, is seized by an overwhelming sense of fear, awe, and agitation in the face of God's manifest power. It signifies a loss of composure and a profound sense of vulnerability.
* **"and is moved out of his place":** This second clause intensifies the first, using a vivid idiomatic expression to convey extreme disorientation and perturbation. It suggests that Elihu's inner stability has been completely disrupted. His heart, the very center of his being, feels as though it has been dislodged or torn from its normal position, indicating a state of profound shock and spiritual upheaval in the presence of the divine. The word "place" (מָקוֹם, _mâqôwm_, H4725) here refers to its proper, settled position, emphasizing the extent of the internal dislodgment.

#### Literary Devices
Job 37:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Elihu's profound emotional state. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "moved out of his place," which is a deliberate exaggeration to emphasize the extreme degree of Elihu's perturbation; his heart is not literally dislodged, but the feeling is one of complete internal upheaval. This hyperbole effectively communicates the overwhelming nature of God's power. **Personification** is subtly used by attributing human-like actions and emotions (trembling, moving out of place) to the "heart," which in Hebrew thought represents the whole inner person, thereby making Elihu's internal experience more vivid and relatable. Finally, the verse powerfully evokes a sense of **Awe** and the **Sublime**. Elihu's reaction is a classic response to the sublime—an experience of overwhelming greatness, beauty, or power that transcends human comprehension and often inspires a mixture of fear and wonder. The verse functions as a dramatic **Prelude**, setting a tone of reverence and anticipation for Elihu's subsequent detailed descriptions of God's majestic control over nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:1 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God and humanity's proper response to Him. Elihu's trembling heart underscores the immeasurable gap between the finite human and the infinite Creator. It is a testament to God's utter transcendence, His uncontainable power, and His absolute sovereignty over all creation, especially the forces of nature. This response is not merely fear of punishment but a deep, reverential awe that acknowledges God's unique majesty and holiness. It reminds us that true worship begins with a humble recognition of who God is—a Being whose power is so immense that it can dislodge the very core of our being, compelling us to abandon our self-sufficiency and embrace a posture of profound humility and trust. This "fear of the Lord" is consistently presented in Scripture not as terror, but as the foundational wisdom for living in right relationship with God, leading to life and understanding.

* [Psalm 104:1-4](/psalms/104-1-4 "Psalm 104:1-4 - God's Majesty in Creation")
* [Isaiah 6:1-5](/isaiah/6-1-5 "Isaiah 6:1-5 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Holiness")
* [Revelation 15:3-4](/revelation/15-3-4 "Revelation 15:3-4 - Worship of the Lamb and God's Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elihu's visceral reaction in Job 37:1 offers a timeless invitation for believers today to cultivate a similar sense of awe and reverence for God. In a world that often seeks to demystify, explain away, or even diminish the divine, Elihu's trembling heart reminds us to stand in humble wonder before our Creator. It challenges us to move beyond a purely intellectual understanding of God to a heart-level experience of His greatness, recognizing His hand in the raw power of a storm, the intricate design of a snowflake, or the vastness of the cosmos. This verse calls us to acknowledge that the same God who commands the thunder and lightning is sovereign over every detail of our lives. When we truly grasp God's overwhelming power and majesty, our self-reliance crumbles, and we are compelled to trust Him more deeply, finding peace not in our control, but in His unfathomable wisdom and unwavering power. This profound awe should lead us to deeper worship, more fervent prayer, and a renewed commitment to living in humble obedience to the One whose very presence can move our hearts, transforming our perspective and empowering our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When was the last time you felt a profound sense of awe in the presence of God or His creation? What was that experience like?**
* **How does Elihu's physical and emotional reaction challenge your own typical responses to God's power and sovereignty?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own understanding or control, rather than acknowledging God's ultimate power and wisdom?**
* **How can cultivating a deeper sense of "the fear of the Lord" (reverential awe) transform your worship, prayer life, and daily walk?**

### FAQ
**What does "moved out of his place" mean in the context of Job 37:1?**

Answer: The phrase "moved out of his place" is an idiomatic expression that vividly describes Elihu's profound internal disorientation and emotional upheaval. It doesn't mean his physical heart literally shifted position, but rather that his entire being—his inner stability, composure, and sense of equilibrium—was utterly disrupted and dislodged by the overwhelming contemplation of God's immense power and majesty. It conveys a feeling of being completely unsettled, shaken to the core, and unable to maintain one's normal state of being in the face of such divine grandeur. This powerful imagery emphasizes the intense, almost terrifying, awe that Elihu experiences as he prepares to describe God's control over the natural world, as seen in the subsequent verses like [Job 37:2-5](/job/37-2-5 "Job 37:2-5 - God's Thundering Voice").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 37:1 describes Elihu's trembling awe before God's power in creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. The very power that caused Elihu's heart to tremble is fully embodied in the Son of God, who is the [radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory"). Jesus demonstrated absolute sovereignty over the natural world, calming raging storms with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), walking on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), and commanding the elements, revealing Himself as the Creator God in human flesh. The "fear of the Lord" that Elihu experienced, a reverential awe before an incomprehensible power, is transformed in Christ into a loving, worshipful submission to the One who not only commands the universe but also laid down His life for us ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One")). Through Christ, the terrifying majesty of God becomes approachable, as He bridges the gap between humanity and the Almighty, inviting us into intimate relationship rather than distant dread. Our hearts, once trembling in fear of judgment, now tremble with grateful adoration for the One who holds all power yet offers grace and redemption, inviting us into a relationship with the very God whose power dislodged Elihu's heart.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 16:26

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Habakkuk 3:16

¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Jeremiah 5:22

Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Job 21:6

Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

Acts 16:29

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Job 4:14

Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

Job 38:1

¶ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,