Job 37:4

KJV

After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 37:4 powerfully describes the immediate and overwhelming manifestation of God's voice through thunder, following the lightning. Elihu, in his final discourse, portrays God's majesty and irresistible power, asserting that when the divine voice roars, nothing can restrain its impact or hinder its purpose. This verse serves to instill profound awe and reverence for the Creator, highlighting His absolute sovereignty over creation and His unchallengeable authority, preparing Job for the direct encounter with God that is soon to follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 37:4 is situated within Elihu's final and most extensive speech, spanning from [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's First Speech") to [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu's Final Discourse"). Throughout this discourse, Elihu attempts to justify God's ways to Job, emphasizing divine wisdom, justice, and sovereignty, often contrasting God's greatness with human limitations. Chapters [Job 36](/job/36 "Job 36 - God's Discipline and Power") and [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - God's Majesty in Nature") are particularly focused on God's power as revealed in natural phenomena—rain, snow, ice, wind, and especially the storm. The preceding verses in [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - God's Majesty in Nature") describe the lightning (fire) that precedes the thunder, setting the stage for the dramatic impact of God's voice. This verse acts as a climactic description of the storm's power, building anticipation for the moment when God Himself speaks to Job out of the whirlwind in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Speaks to Job from the Whirlwind"). Elihu's aim is to humble Job and all listeners before the unsearchable greatness of God, whose power is evident in every aspect of creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, storms, particularly thunder and lightning, were widely understood as manifestations of divine power and presence. Many pagan deities, such as Baal, were associated with storm phenomena. However, the biblical text consistently reclaims this imagery for Yahweh, the one true God, demonstrating His unique and absolute control over all creation. The Book of Job itself is set in the land of Uz, a region likely east of Palestine, and reflects a wisdom tradition that grappled with profound questions about suffering, divine justice, and human understanding of God. The nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle implied in the book would have made the people intimately familiar with the raw power of desert storms. The imagery of God's "voice" as thunder would have resonated deeply, evoking both terror and awe, reinforcing the concept of a God who is both transcendent and immanently active in the world, far beyond human comprehension or challenge, as seen in [Psalm 29](/psalms/29 "Psalm 29 - The Voice of the Lord").
* **Key Themes:** Job 37:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and Elihu's speeches. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**. God's voice, roaring as thunder, symbolizes His absolute control over creation and His irresistible will; nothing can "stay" or hinder His purposes. This reinforces the idea that God is not subject to human questioning or understanding, a central point of contention throughout Job's suffering. Secondly, the verse highlights **Nature as a Revelation of God's Power and Wisdom**. Elihu uses the grandeur of the storm to demonstrate God's active presence and governance, arguing that creation itself testifies to the Creator's unsearchable greatness. This theme is echoed in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"). Finally, the verse underscores **Human Limitation and Humility**. By contrasting the overwhelming power of God's voice with human frailty, Elihu seeks to humble Job, preparing him to acknowledge God's incomprehensible ways and to respond with reverence rather than complaint, a lesson that Job ultimately learns in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and Confession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Roareth (Hebrew, _sha'ag'_):** This verb typically describes the roar of a lion (e.g., [Amos 3:8](/amos/3-8 "Amos 3:8 - The Lion Has Roared")). Its use here for God's voice in thunder evokes immense power, authority, and an intimidating, awe-inspiring presence. It suggests a sound that is not merely loud but primal, majestic, and indicative of an unstoppable force. The imagery conveys a sense of divine might that commands attention and instills fear.
* **Excellency (Hebrew, _ga'on'_):** This noun denotes majesty, sublimity, pride, or glory. When applied to God, it refers to His inherent greatness, supreme dignity, and elevated status above all creation. The "voice of his excellency" is thus a voice that emanates from the very essence of God's glorious and majestic being, underscoring the divine source and unparalleled power of the thunder. It is a voice that perfectly reflects His inherent glory.
* **Stay (Hebrew, _ya'aqeb'_):** This verb means to hold back, restrain, hinder, or delay. In this context, it emphasizes the irresistibility of God's actions and decrees. Once His voice is heard, once His power is unleashed, there is no force, human or natural, that can impede or divert it. This reinforces the theme of God's absolute sovereignty and the futility of any attempt to oppose His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"After it a voice roareth:"** This clause establishes the sequence of the storm, with the thunder following the lightning mentioned in the preceding verses. The "voice" is immediately identified as a powerful, roaring sound, personifying the thunder as a direct utterance from God. This is not just a natural phenomenon but a divine communication, charged with immense power and authority, demanding attention and instilling awe.
* **"he thundereth with the voice of his excellency;"** This expands on the previous clause, explicitly attributing the thunder to God ("he thundereth"). The phrase "with the voice of his excellency" elevates the thunder from a mere sound to an expression of God's inherent glory, majesty, and supreme authority. It suggests that the thunder is a perfect manifestation of God's glorious nature, echoing His divine essence and demonstrating His unparalleled greatness.
* **"and he will not stay them when his voice is heard."** This concluding clause underscores the irresistible nature of God's power and will. "Them" likely refers to the effects or consequences of His voice—the storm, the rain, the divine purposes set in motion. Once God's voice is heard, once His command is issued through the thunder, nothing can hold back or hinder its intended outcome. This emphasizes God's absolute control and the futility of any resistance to His sovereign decrees.

#### Literary Devices
Job 37:4 is rich in **Imagery**, vividly portraying the power of a thunderstorm as a direct manifestation of God. The "roaring" voice and the "thunder" create powerful auditory images, while the implicit connection to lightning (from preceding verses) adds visual impact. **Personification** is evident as the thunder is described as God's "voice," roaring and speaking with "excellency," attributing human-like vocal actions to a natural phenomenon to emphasize its divine origin and power. The verse also employs **Metaphor**, where the thunder serves as a metaphor for God's unchallengeable authority and irresistible will. The phrase "he will not stay them" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and unhindered nature of God's power, suggesting that once God acts, no force in the cosmos can impede His purpose. This dramatic language contributes to the overall sense of **Awe and Sublimity**, aiming to overwhelm the listener with the sheer magnitude of divine power and wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:4 profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of God's omnipotence and His revelation through creation. It asserts that the natural world is not merely a collection of impersonal forces but a dynamic stage upon which the Creator displays His attributes. The thunder, as God's roaring voice, serves as a powerful reminder that His authority is absolute, His will is irresistible, and His majesty is beyond human comprehension. This truth calls humanity to a posture of humility and reverence, acknowledging that the God who commands the elements is also the God who governs all circumstances, even those that seem chaotic or unjust. Elihu's emphasis on God's unchallengeable power in nature prepares the way for Job to encounter the living God, whose voice truly thunders from the whirlwind, bringing Job to a place of repentance and deeper understanding of divine sovereignty.

* [Psalm 29:3-9](/psalms/29-3 "Psalm 29:3-9 - The Voice of the Lord in Power")
* [Psalm 77:18](/psalms/77-18 "Psalm 77:18 - God's Thunder in the Whirlwind")
* [Revelation 10:3-4](/revelation/10-3 "Revelation 10:3-4 - The Seven Thunders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 37:4 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and reverence for God, recognizing His absolute power and sovereignty over all creation. In a world often characterized by human striving for control and understanding, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that there is a God whose "voice" commands the very elements, whose purposes cannot be thwarted, and whose majesty far surpasses our limited comprehension. When we encounter the raw power of nature—a thunderstorm, an earthquake, or a raging sea—we are called to see beyond the physical phenomenon to the divine hand that orchestrates it all. This understanding should lead us not to fear in a debilitating way, but to a holy fear that inspires worship, trust, and surrender. It encourages us to rest in the knowledge that the God who controls the chaos of a storm is also the one who holds our lives in His hands, working all things according to His excellent will, even when our circumstances seem as tumultuous as a raging tempest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's power in nature, as described in Job 37:4, impact your sense of trust in His control over your personal circumstances?**
* **In what ways might our modern, technologically advanced society diminish our awe for God's power, and how can we intentionally cultivate a deeper reverence?**
* **What specific "voices" or influences in your life might you be tempted to "stay" or resist, and how does the irresistibility of God's voice challenge that inclination?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of thunder being described as God's "voice" in this verse?**

Answer: The description of thunder as God's "voice" is highly significant, serving as a powerful theological metaphor. In ancient Near Eastern thought, and especially in the biblical tradition, the storm, particularly thunder, was often seen as a direct manifestation of divine presence and power. By calling it God's "voice," the text personifies the natural phenomenon, attributing it directly to God's active utterance. This emphasizes His direct involvement in creation, His absolute authority, and the undeniable, overwhelming nature of His power. It's not merely a sound but a declaration of His majesty and an expression of His irresistible will, as seen in [Psalm 29:3-9](/psalms/29-3 "Psalm 29:3-3 - The Voice of the Lord in Power"), where the "voice of the Lord" breaks cedars and shakes the wilderness.

**What does it mean that God "will not stay them when his voice is heard"?**

Answer: The phrase "he will not stay them when his voice is heard" underscores the irresistibility and unhindered nature of God's power and purposes. "Stay them" means to hold back, restrain, or hinder. When God's voice—symbolizing His command, His will, or the unleashing of His power—is heard, nothing can impede or prevent its intended effect. This applies not only to the immediate effects of the storm (e.g., rain, wind, lightning) but also to God's broader sovereign plans. It communicates that once God acts or declares His will, it is unstoppable and will accomplish its purpose, reinforcing the theme of divine omnipotence found throughout the Book of Job and other scriptures like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 37:4 powerfully portrays God's majesty through the roaring thunder, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound revelation of divine power and "excellency" are found in Jesus Christ. The "voice" that thunders from the heavens in creation finds its clearest and most intimate expression in the Word made flesh, Jesus, who is the very embodiment of God's wisdom and power ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). Just as God's voice in the storm cannot be stayed, so too Jesus demonstrated absolute authority over creation, calming the raging sea with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and commanding demons to flee. He is the visible image of the invisible God, through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ the Image of God and Creator")). The "voice of his excellency" that Elihu describes points forward to the Son, who perfectly reveals the Father's glory ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ the Radiance of God's Glory")). Ultimately, the irresistible power of God's voice is most profoundly seen not just in creation's thunder, but in the resurrection of Christ, where the power of God raised Him from the dead, conquering sin and death forever ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power for Believers")).

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

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.