Job 37:10

KJV

By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

KJV (with Strong's)

By the breath {H5397} of God {H410} frost {H7140} is given {H5414}: and the breadth {H7341} of the waters {H4325} is straitened {H4164}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By the breath of God, ice is given, and the wide waters freeze over.

Berean Standard Bible

By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen.

American Standard Version

By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 37:10, a declaration by Elihu, profoundly asserts God's absolute sovereignty and intricate control over the natural world. Within his extensive discourse aimed at correcting Job and his friends, Elihu points to the seemingly simple phenomena of frost and the freezing of water as undeniable evidence of divine power and wisdom. This verse underscores that even the subtle transformations in creation are direct emanations of God's "breath," demonstrating His deliberate and active involvement in sustaining and governing all things.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Elihu's final and most expansive speech, spanning [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's First Speech") through [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu's Climax"). Elihu, a younger man, positions himself as a mediator and a more enlightened interpreter of God's ways than Job's three friends. His central argument is that God is just and sovereign, and that suffering, while mysterious, can serve a disciplinary or revelatory purpose, not merely punishment for sin. Elihu systematically builds his case by appealing to God's overwhelming power and wisdom displayed in creation, particularly through meteorological phenomena. [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - God's Power in Nature") culminates in a majestic portrayal of God's control over storms, lightning, rain, and snow, preparing the reader for God's direct appearance in the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job"). Job 37:10 specifically highlights the transformative power of cold, showcasing God's ability to alter the very state of water, thus reinforcing His absolute dominion over the elements and the limits of human comprehension.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, weather phenomena were often attributed to various deities or seen as chaotic forces. However, the biblical worldview, as expressed in Job, firmly establishes the one true God as the sole orchestrator of all natural events. For people in a largely agrarian society, understanding and predicting weather patterns was crucial for survival, making divine control over rain, drought, and frost a matter of profound significance. While the land of Uz (Job's likely setting) might not have experienced extreme arctic conditions, frost and ice would have been recognizable phenomena, particularly in higher elevations or during winter months. The ability of water to freeze and "straiten" (become rigid) would have been a clear and observable demonstration of a power far beyond human manipulation, reinforcing the awe-inspiring nature of God's creative and sustaining work. This context emphasizes that God's power is not just abstract but tangibly demonstrated in the everyday world.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Sovereignty over Nature:** The verse unequivocally declares that phenomena like frost are not random occurrences but are "given by the breath of God." This emphasizes God's direct, personal, and absolute control over the physical world, underscoring His role as Creator and Sustainer. It aligns with other biblical passages that affirm God's power over weather, such as [Psalm 147:16-18](/psalms/147-16-18 "Psalm 147:16-18 - God's Control Over Snow and Ice") which speaks of God scattering frost like ashes and casting forth ice like morsels.
* **General Revelation: God's Power and Wisdom Revealed in Creation:** Elihu argues that the intricate processes of nature, such as water freezing and altering the landscape, are not merely scientific events but profound testaments to God's boundless wisdom and power. What might seem like a common seasonal event is portrayed as a deliberate act of the Creator, constantly revealing His attributes to humanity. This aligns with the broader biblical concept that God's invisible attributes are clearly seen in the things that have been made, as articulated in [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Attributes Seen in Creation").
* **Human Limitation and Awe:** By attributing such phenomena directly to God, Elihu implicitly challenges human understanding, control, and wisdom. He highlights the vast chasm between human capacity and divine omnipotence. We are called to stand in awe of a God whose ways are beyond our full comprehension, a theme powerfully reinforced when God Himself later addresses Job from the whirlwind, asking rhetorical questions about the creation of the world and its natural processes (e.g., [Job 38:22-23](/job/38-22-23 "Job 38:22-23 - God's Storehouses of Snow and Hail")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Breath (Hebrew, נְשָׁמָה, _nᵉshâmâh'_):** From H5397, this word refers to a puff, wind, or vital breath, encompassing divine inspiration and intellect. In this context, "the breath of God" signifies the active, life-giving, and controlling power of God. It is His direct emanation, His very essence, that brings about the phenomenon of frost, demonstrating His intimate and active involvement in creation.
* **Frost (Hebrew, קֶרַח, _qerach'_):** From H7140, meaning ice, hail, or rock crystal. This term specifically denotes the frozen state of water. Its inclusion emphasizes the tangible, observable effect of God's "breath" on the natural world, transforming liquid water into a solid, crystalline form.
* **Straitened (Hebrew, מוּצָק, _mûwtsaq'_):** From H4164, meaning narrowness, figuratively distress or anguish. This word vividly describes the physical transformation of water from its expansive, fluid state into a rigid, constricted form—ice. It implies a process where the "breadth" or expanse of the waters is narrowed, hardened, and made rigid, thus restricting its flow and movement. The term perfectly captures the physical effect of freezing, demonstrating God's power to fundamentally alter the state and behavior of matter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"By the breath of God frost is given":** This clause establishes the direct divine causation of frost. It is not a random meteorological event but a deliberate act of God's active power, signified by His "breath." The word "given" (H5414, _nâthan_) implies intentionality and bestowal, emphasizing that frost is a specific, tangible gift or manifestation of God's will and power, designed to reveal His attributes.
* **"and the breadth of the waters is straitened":** This second clause describes the immediate and observable effect of the frost: water loses its fluidity and expansiveness, becoming "straitened" or solidified into ice. This physical transformation serves as concrete evidence of the divine power at work. The "breadth of the waters" refers to their wide, flowing nature, which is now restricted and made rigid by God's command, further demonstrating His absolute control over the elements.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's statement in Job 37:10 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. The phrase "By the breath of God" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "breath" (Hebrew _nᵉshâmâh_) stands for God's active power, will, and Spirit, implying a direct, effortless divine command. There is also a strong element of **Personification**, as God's "breath" is depicted as actively "giving" frost, imbuing a natural phenomenon with divine agency. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism**, though not strictly synonymous or antithetical; the two clauses describe two aspects of the same divine action and its effect: God's power (first clause) and its observable outcome on water (second clause). This structure reinforces the cause-and-effect relationship between divine command and natural phenomenon. Furthermore, the verse uses vivid **Imagery**, evoking the cold, the transformation of water, and the sense of restriction, allowing the listener to visualize God's power at work in the natural world. Elihu's entire discourse, culminating in this verse, functions as an **Argument from Nature/Design**, where the intricate and powerful workings of creation are presented as irrefutable evidence of God's wisdom, power, and sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:10 profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of God's active involvement in His creation. It asserts that God is not a distant, deistic clockmaker but an immanent and transcendent Lord who intimately governs every aspect of the cosmos, from the grandest storm to the most delicate frost. This verse highlights the concept of general revelation, where God's attributes are continuously displayed through the natural world, leaving humanity without excuse regarding His existence and power. It calls us to a posture of humility and awe before a God whose wisdom and power are beyond full human comprehension, yet are tangibly evidenced in the world around us. This perspective transforms mundane observations into profound encounters with the divine, fostering worship and trust in His providential care.

* [Psalm 147:16-18](/psalms/147-16-18 "Psalm 147:16-18 - God's Control Over Snow, Frost, and Ice")
* [Psalm 104:5-9](/psalms/104-5-9 "Psalm 104:5-9 - God's Establishment of Earth and Waters")
* [Amos 4:7-8](/amos/4-7-8 "Amos 4:7-8 - God's Control Over Rain and Drought")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 37:10 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and wonder as we observe the natural world, recognizing that every detail, from the intricate pattern of a snowflake to the vastness of the ocean, is a testament to God's deliberate and powerful hand. This verse challenges us to move beyond a purely scientific or utilitarian view of nature and to see it as a continuous revelation of God's character. If God is so intimately involved in giving frost and straitening waters, then His sovereignty extends to every aspect of our lives—our circumstances, our challenges, and our future. This understanding should inspire deep trust, even when our paths seem difficult or constricted, much like the "straitened" waters. It reminds us that God's power is not limited to grand miracles but is at work in the quiet, consistent rhythms of creation, assuring us of His constant presence and control.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's direct control over natural phenomena like frost deepen your sense of awe and worship?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust in God's sovereign "breath" to bring about His purposes, even if they seem restrictive or difficult?**
* **How can observing the intricate details of creation, even the mundane, become a regular practice of encountering God's wisdom and power?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Elihu's focus on natural phenomena in his argument?**

Answer: Elihu's extensive focus on natural phenomena, culminating in verses like [Job 37:10](/job/37-10 "Job 37:10 - God's Control Over Frost"), is crucial to his theological argument. He uses creation as a primary avenue for God's revelation, aiming to correct Job's perception of God's silence or injustice. Elihu contends that God's power, wisdom, and justice are constantly on display in the world around us, serving as an undeniable witness to His character and an invitation to humility, repentance, and awe. By pointing to phenomena like frost, storms, and lightning, Elihu emphasizes that God is not distant but intimately involved in His creation, orchestrating even the seemingly small details. This prepares the ground for God's own direct address to Job from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job"), which largely consists of rhetorical questions about the creation and governance of the cosmos, further validating Elihu's approach.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 37:10 speaks of God's power through His "breath" in creation, the New Testament reveals that this divine power is fully embodied and executed through Jesus Christ. He is not merely an instrument of God's power but the very Word through whom "all things were made" and "in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). The "breath of God" that gives frost and "straitens" waters finds its ultimate expression in Christ, who demonstrated absolute authority over nature during His earthly ministry, calming raging storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking on the very "breadth of the waters" ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")). Furthermore, the "breath of God" can be understood as a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit (also _ruach_ in Hebrew), who is the active agent of God's power in the new creation, giving spiritual life ([John 3:8](/john/3-8 "John 3:8 - Born of the Spirit")) and ultimately bringing about the "straitening" of sin's power through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. Through Christ, the chaotic forces of sin and death are "straitened" and overcome, leading to a new heavens and new earth where all creation will perfectly reflect the glory and order established by God's sovereign will ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

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

Job 38:29

Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

Job 38:30

The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

Psalms 147:16

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

Psalms 147:18

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, [and] the waters flow.

Psalms 78:47

He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.