Job 37:17

KJV

How thy garments [are] warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south [wind]?

KJV (with Strong's)

How thy garments {H899} are warm {H2525}, when he quieteth {H8252} the earth {H776} by the south {H1864} wind?

Complete Jewish Bible

"You, sweltering in your clothing as the earth lies still under a sultry south wind,

Berean Standard Bible

You whose clothes get hot when the land lies hushed under the south wind,

American Standard Version

How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the southwind?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Elihu, in his extensive discourse to Job, points to the warmth brought by the south wind as a direct act of divine providence, illustrating God's meticulous control over all natural phenomena. This rhetorical question highlights God's absolute sovereignty not only in powerful storms but also in the subtle, comforting changes of weather, thereby underscoring His incomprehensible wisdom and benevolent provision for humanity, challenging Job to recognize the Creator's absolute dominion over creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 37 is the culmination of Elihu's speeches, which began in [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's Introduction"). Throughout chapters 36 and 37, Elihu systematically builds a case for God's unchallengeable power and wisdom, primarily through the metaphor of natural phenomena. He describes God's control over rain, snow, lightning, and thunder, often using these as a backdrop to humble human understanding and assert divine justice. Verse 17 specifically transitions from Elihu's descriptions of cold and stormy weather (e.g., [Job 37:9-10](/job/37-9 "Job 37:9-10 - The North Wind and Ice")) to the comforting warmth of the south wind, demonstrating God's comprehensive dominion over all atmospheric conditions, from the harsh to the gentle. This shift serves to broaden the scope of God's power, showing He is not only in the tempest but also in the tranquility, further diminishing human capacity to fully grasp His ways.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, weather patterns were directly linked to divine activity, as meteorological science was non-existent. The "south wind" (Hebrew: *teyman*) was well-known for bringing warm, dry air from the Arabian desert, often contrasting sharply with the cold, wet winds from the north or west. This warmth could be a welcome relief after periods of cold or rain, making it a tangible example of divine provision and comfort. The imagery of "garments being warm" speaks to the practical, immediate impact of this weather change on human comfort and well-being. Elihu's audience, living in an agrarian society deeply dependent on weather for survival, would have intimately understood the significance of these shifts and readily attributed them to a higher power.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Job and Elihu's discourse. Foremost is **God's Absolute Sovereignty over Nature**, asserting that every meteorological event, from the most destructive storm to the gentlest breeze, is under His direct command, as seen in [Psalm 135:7](/psalms/135-7 "Psalm 135:7 - God Controls Weather"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Provision and Comfort**, demonstrating God's active care for His creation by providing warmth and ease, not just sustenance. Thirdly, and crucially for Elihu's argument, it underscores the **Incomprehensibility of God's Ways**. If humans cannot even fully understand or control the simple shift in wind patterns, how much less can they comprehend the vastness of God's wisdom, justice, and power, a theme echoed in God's own challenge to Job in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Challenge to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Quieteth (Hebrew, שָׁקַט, _shaqat'_):** This verb signifies to settle, to calm, to be at rest, or to be tranquil. In the context of the south wind, it implies that God, through this wind, brings a cessation of turbulent or cold conditions, ushering in a period of calm and warmth. It suggests a deliberate act of bringing order and peace to the earth's atmosphere, rather than a mere natural occurrence. This word is also used in contexts of national peace or rest from war, indicating a profound sense of stability and cessation of disturbance, as seen in [Judges 3:11](/judges/3-11 "Judges 3:11 - The Land Had Rest").
* **South (Hebrew, תֵּימָן, _teyman'_):** Refers specifically to the south or the south wind. In the geographical context of the ancient Near East, the south wind was typically associated with warmth and dryness, originating from the desert regions. Its mention here is not merely descriptive but points to a specific, known meteorological phenomenon that brings comfort and warmth, contrasting with the often harsh northern winds. Elihu uses this specific detail to emphasize God's precise control over every directional wind and its specific effects.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How thy garments [are] warm":** This is a rhetorical question, designed to evoke a sense of wonder and acknowledgment. It addresses Job (or humanity in general), prompting reflection on the tangible effect of the south wind – the warmth it brings, making one's clothing feel warm. It points to a common, relatable experience of comfort derived from a specific weather pattern, setting the stage for the divine explanation.
* **"when he quieteth the earth by the south [wind]?":** This clause provides the divine explanation for the warmth. The "he" explicitly refers to God, attributing the calming and warming effect of the south wind directly to His action. The phrase "quieteth the earth" implies that God brings a sense of tranquility and stability to the land through this specific wind, perhaps after colder or turbulent weather. It underscores God's active and deliberate involvement in even the seemingly subtle shifts in natural phenomena.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu employs several potent literary devices in [Job 37:17](/job/37-17 "Job 37:17 - God Quiets the Earth by the South Wind"). The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "How thy garments [are] warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south [wind]?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer but to provoke contemplation and underscore Elihu's point about God's incomprehensible power and meticulous control over nature. It draws the listener into the experience, making the divine action tangible and relatable. There is also a strong element of **Personification** in "quieteth the earth," as if the earth itself is a restless entity that God calms. This imbues the natural world with a sense of responsiveness to divine command. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** by implicitly setting the warmth of the south wind against the earlier descriptions of cold, snow, and ice (e.g., [Job 37:9-10](/job/37-9 "Job 37:9-10 - The North Wind and Ice")), thereby showcasing the full spectrum of God's atmospheric dominion. This comprehensive control serves as a powerful **Argument from Nature**, where the wonders of creation are presented as irrefutable evidence of God's wisdom and power, far surpassing human understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:17 serves as a profound theological statement on God's omnipresent and meticulous control over creation. It moves beyond the grand, awe-inspiring displays of divine power, such as storms and lightning, to highlight God's sovereign hand in the more subtle, comforting aspects of nature, like the gentle warmth of a specific wind. This demonstrates that no natural phenomenon, however seemingly insignificant, operates outside of God's direct command and purpose. It challenges humanity's tendency to compartmentalize God's involvement, reminding us that He is intimately present and active in every detail of the cosmos, orchestrating even the most minute changes for His purposes and the well-being of His creation. This comprehensive sovereignty is a cornerstone of biblical theology, affirming God as the ultimate sustainer and provider.

* [Psalm 104:10-14](/psalms/104-10 "Psalm 104:10-14 - God's Provision for Creation")
* [Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God Sends Rain on the Just and Unjust")
* [Acts 14:17](/acts/14-17 "Acts 14:17 - God Gives Rain and Fruitful Seasons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 37:17 invites us to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God, not just in the face of His overwhelming power, but also in His gentle, comforting provisions. In a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that a sovereign God meticulously orchestrates even the seemingly mundane aspects of our environment. It challenges us to look beyond naturalistic explanations and recognize the divine hand in the warmth that comforts us, the rain that nourishes the earth, and the sun that gives light. This recognition should foster profound humility, acknowledging that our understanding is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom. Furthermore, it should instill a deep sense of peace and trust, knowing that the same God who commands the winds and quiets the earth is intimately involved in our lives, providing for our needs and bringing comfort even amidst life's storms. Our response should be one of worship and grateful submission to His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's control over seemingly ordinary natural phenomena (like a warm wind) deepen your appreciation for His sovereignty?**
* **In what ways can acknowledging God's provision in nature bring you comfort and peace during challenging times?**
* **What specific "garments" in your life (comforts, provisions, relationships) can you identify as direct blessings from God's hand, prompting gratitude?**
* **How does Elihu's emphasis on God's incomprehensibility encourage humility in your own understanding of divine plans and purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why does Elihu focus so much on natural phenomena in his speeches?**

Answer: Elihu uses natural phenomena as a primary means to illustrate God's unchallengeable power, wisdom, and sovereignty. Unlike Job and his other friends who debated primarily about divine justice in suffering, Elihu shifts the focus to God's majesty in creation. He argues that if humanity cannot comprehend or control the intricate workings of nature—the clouds, rain, snow, lightning, and winds—how much less can they fully grasp the ways of the Almighty God, especially concerning His justice and dealings with humanity. This approach serves to humble Job, preparing him for God's own discourse from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Challenge to Job"), which similarly uses creation as evidence of divine wisdom beyond human understanding. Elihu's aim is to show that God's ways are inscrutable and that true wisdom lies in revering Him, not in questioning His justice.

**What is the significance of the "south wind" specifically bringing warmth?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, the south wind (Hebrew: *teyman*) was well-known for bringing warm, often dry air, originating from the desert regions to the south. This contrasts with winds from other directions, such as the north, which could bring cold and storms. By specifying the "south wind," Elihu highlights God's precise and deliberate control over every aspect of weather. It's not just that God controls *any* wind, but that He specifically orchestrates the *type* of wind that brings warmth and quietness, demonstrating His detailed provision and benevolent care for creation. This specific detail makes God's sovereignty tangible and relatable to the audience's lived experience, underscoring that even the comforting elements of nature are direct results of His divine command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 37:17 speaks of God's general providence through natural phenomena, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper significance are found in Christ. The God who "quieteth the earth by the south [wind]" is the same God revealed perfectly in Jesus Christ, who demonstrates not only sovereign control over creation but also intimate, redemptive care for humanity. Just as the south wind brings warmth and comfort, Christ is the ultimate source of spiritual warmth and peace, quieting the storms of sin and chaos in the human heart. He is the one who, with a mere word, could command the wind and the waves, and they obeyed Him ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). More profoundly, Christ's work on the cross brings a warmth of reconciliation and a quietness of conscience that no natural phenomenon could ever provide. Through His sacrifice, He provides the ultimate "garments" of righteousness ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation")), covering our sin and offering eternal comfort and rest to those who believe. Thus, the divine control over creation foreshadows the greater, redemptive control of the Son, who not only sustains the physical world but also redeems and transforms the spiritual one, bringing true warmth and peace to the soul ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")).

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 38:31

Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

Luke 12:55

And when [ye see] the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.

Psalms 147:18

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

Job 6:17

What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.