Job 37:9

KJV

Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

KJV (with Strong's)

Out of the south {H2315} cometh {H935} the whirlwind {H5492}: and cold {H7135} out of the north {H4215}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Out of its chamber comes the storm, with cold out of the north.

Berean Standard Bible

The tempest comes from its chamber, and the cold from the driving north winds.

American Standard Version

Out of the chamberof the south cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 37:9, embedded within Elihu's profound discourse, powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over natural phenomena, specifically weather patterns. It highlights the divine control over the powerful, hot winds originating from the southern deserts and the chilling cold emanating from the northern regions, serving as a compelling testament to God's incomprehensible power and wisdom, thereby humbling human understanding before the Creator's majestic and intricate works.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Elihu's speeches, spanning [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's First Speech") through [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu Continues to Speak of God's Power"), serve as a crucial theological bridge in the book of Job, preparing the way for God's direct intervention in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job from the Whirlwind"). Unlike Job's three friends, Elihu does not accuse Job of specific sin but rather emphasizes God's justice, wisdom, and omnipotence, often pointing to His control over creation as irrefutable evidence of His incomprehensible greatness. Chapter 37, in particular, focuses on the wonders of the atmosphere—snow, rain, lightning, and wind—all under divine command, demonstrating that humans cannot fully grasp God's ways ([Job 36:26](/job/36-26 "Job 36:26 - God is Great and Beyond Our Knowledge")). This verse, therefore, functions as another example in Elihu's argument for God's unchallengeable authority over creation, reinforcing that even the most powerful and seemingly chaotic forces of nature are under divine command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The meteorological observations in Job 37:9 are deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern experience, particularly within the geographical context of the Levant. The "south" (Hebrew: *teimān*) refers to the desert regions of Arabia, from which hot, dry, and often violent winds (like the *khamsin* or *sirocco*) frequently blew, bringing dust storms and intense heat, commonly perceived as destructive whirlwinds or tempests. Conversely, the "north" (Hebrew: *tsaphon*) typically referred to the mountainous regions of Syria and Lebanon, the source of colder, often rain- or snow-bearing air masses that brought refreshing, sometimes biting, cold. This verse, therefore, reflects accurate local weather patterns, used by Elihu to demonstrate God's comprehensive control over all aspects of the natural world, from the scorching tempest to the chilling frost, thereby grounding his theological argument in observable reality.
* **Key Themes:** Job 37:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job and Elihu's discourse. Foremost is the theme of **God's Sovereignty Over Nature**, illustrating His absolute command over the elements; the "whirlwind" and "cold" are not random occurrences but are directed by His will, serving His purposes. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, affirming God's power to send both destructive storms and refreshing cold, as seen in [Psalm 148:8](/psalms/148-8 "Psalm 148:8 - Wind and Storm Fulfill His Word") and [Jeremiah 10:13](/jeremiah/10-13 "Jeremiah 10:13 - God Brings Forth the Wind from His Treasuries"). This divine control further underscores the theme of **Divine Power and Majesty**, where the dramatic imagery of powerful winds and chilling cold serves to humble human understanding and inspire awe for the Almighty, reinforcing the idea that God's ways are unsearchable ([Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - God's Unsearchable Judgments")). Finally, the verse highlights **Human Limitations in Understanding God**, as Elihu consistently argues that humans cannot fully grasp the intricate workings of God's creation or His purposes, urging Job and his friends to acknowledge God's incomprehensible wisdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Whirlwind (Hebrew, _sûfâ'_):** This term (סוּפָה) denotes a tempest, storm, or whirlwind. It often carries connotations of a powerful, sometimes overwhelming, natural force, frequently associated with divine manifestation or judgment in biblical literature (e.g., [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord has His way in the whirlwind")). Here, it emphasizes the raw, untamed power of nature, yet a power fully under God's command, indicating a violent and disruptive force.
* **Cold (Hebrew, _qârâ'_):** This word (קָרָה) simply refers to a chilling temperature, frost, or cold. Its juxtaposition with "whirlwind" highlights the comprehensive range of God's control over atmospheric conditions, from the scorching, destructive winds to the biting, perhaps life-sustaining, chill. It signifies not just temperature but the associated weather phenomena like frost or even snow, representing a distinct and opposite atmospheric condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Out of the south cometh the whirlwind":** This clause describes the origin of a specific type of powerful, often destructive, wind. In the ancient Near East, winds from the south, particularly from the Arabian desert, were known to be hot, dry, and frequently brought sandstorms or violent gusts, akin to a whirlwind or tempest. Elihu attributes the coming of this formidable natural force directly to God's agency, not to random atmospheric conditions, implying divine orchestration of even chaotic elements.
* **"and cold out of the north":** This second clause contrasts the first, pointing to the origin of cold weather. Winds from the north, typically from the mountainous regions of Syria and Lebanon, brought colder air masses, often accompanied by rain, snow, or frost. By juxtaposing these two distinct phenomena from opposing cardinal directions, Elihu underscores the vast and comprehensive scope of God's dominion over all weather patterns, demonstrating His meticulous control over every aspect of creation, from the extreme heat of the desert wind to the biting chill of the mountain air.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's discourse in Job 37:9 masterfully employs **Juxtaposition** and **Merism** to convey God's absolute sovereignty over the natural world. The immediate contrast between the "whirlwind" from the "south" and "cold" from the "north" creates a vivid image of opposing forces, yet both are presented as emanating from divine command. This **Juxtaposition** emphasizes the breadth of God's control, from the most violent and hot phenomena to the most chilling. Furthermore, this pairing functions as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting parts represent the whole; "south" and "north" encompass all directions, and "whirlwind" and "cold" represent the full spectrum of atmospheric conditions. This rhetorical strategy effectively communicates that *all* weather, from every direction and of every type, is under God's meticulous and sovereign hand, reinforcing His incomprehensible power and wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:9 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over creation, particularly the forces of nature. Elihu's argument is that if humanity cannot comprehend or control the weather, how much less can they fully grasp the ways of the Almighty God? This verse reinforces the idea that God is not merely a distant creator but an active, immanent ruler who orchestrates every detail of the cosmos, including seemingly chaotic weather patterns. It challenges human presumption and invites a posture of humility and awe before the Creator, reminding us that even the most powerful natural phenomena are instruments in His hands, serving His purposes, whether for blessing or judgment. This divine control over nature is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, testifying to God's omnipotence and wisdom, and His ability to use all elements to accomplish His will.

* [Psalm 148:8](/psalms/148-8 "Wind and Storm Fulfill God's Word")
* [Jeremiah 10:13](/jeremiah/10-13 "God Brings Forth the Wind from His Treasuries")
* [Psalm 107:25](/psalms/107-25 "God Commands the Stormy Wind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 37:9 calls us to a profound re-evaluation of our relationship with the natural world and, more importantly, with its Creator. In an age where technological advancements often foster an illusion of human control over our environment, this verse serves as a sobering and majestic reminder of God's ultimate authority. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper sense of humility, recognizing that our understanding and power are finite compared to the infinite wisdom and might of God, who commands even the most formidable forces of nature. This humility should lead to a profound trust in His providence, knowing that whether we experience the "whirlwind" of life's challenges or the "cold" of its hardships, all are ultimately under His sovereign hand, working according to His perfect will. Such a perspective fosters genuine worship, inspiring us to stand in awe of the God whose power is beyond our comprehension, yet who graciously sustains and governs all things for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's control over natural phenomena like wind and cold impact your sense of humility before Him?**
* **In what ways do you tend to seek control in your life, and how might acknowledging God's sovereignty over all things, even the "whirlwind," shift your perspective?**
* **How can the majesty of God displayed in creation deepen your trust in His providence during times of personal difficulty or uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "south" and "north" in this verse?**

Answer: The specific mention of "south" and "north" in Job 37:9 is significant because it reflects the typical weather patterns and geographical understanding of the ancient Near East. Winds from the south (Hebrew: *teimān*) were commonly associated with hot, dry, and often violent desert winds, like the *khamsin* or *sirocco*, which could bring dust storms and intense heat, hence the "whirlwind." Conversely, winds from the north (Hebrew: *tsaphon*), originating from mountainous regions like Lebanon or Syria, typically brought colder, often rain- or snow-bearing air masses, hence the "cold." By referencing these two opposing directions and their characteristic weather phenomena, Elihu emphasizes God's comprehensive and absolute control over *all* atmospheric conditions, from every direction and of every nature, demonstrating His complete sovereignty over creation. This meteorological observation grounds the theological point in observable reality, making God's power tangible and undeniable to the original audience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 37:9 speaks of God's general sovereignty over creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. The very God who commands the whirlwind and the cold is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom and for whom all things were created ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ")). Jesus Himself demonstrated this divine authority over nature, famously calming a furious storm with a mere word, causing His disciples to marvel, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" ([Matthew 8:27](/matthew/8-27 "Matthew 8:27 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). He is the one who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")), ensuring that even the most chaotic forces of nature serve His redemptive purposes. The "whirlwind" of judgment and the "cold" of despair ultimately find their resolution in Him, who bore the full wrath of God on the cross, making a way for reconciliation and peace. Thus, Job 37:9 points forward to the cosmic Christ, the incarnate Lord, who embodies and exercises the very power over creation that Elihu attributes to God, inviting us not only to awe but to worship and trust in the One who is Lord over all, both nature and salvation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord of All")).

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 9:9

Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

Psalms 104:3

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Isaiah 21:1

¶ The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; [so] it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

Job 38:1

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

Zechariah 9:14

And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.