Job 36:28-33

28 Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly.

29 "Can anyone understand the ¹spreading of the clouds, The ²thundering of His pavilion?

30 "Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea.

31 "For by these He ³judges peoples; He ⁴gives food in abundance.

32 "He covers His hands with the lightning, And ⁵commands it to strike the mark.

33 "Its ⁶noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.

Job 36:28-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 36

This chapter, with the following, contains Elihu's fourth and last discourse, the principal view of which is to vindicate the righteousness of God; which is done by observing the dealings of God with men in his providence, according to their different characters, and from the wonderful works wrought by him in a sovereign manner, and for the benefit of his creatures. This chapter is introduced with a preface, the design of which is to gain attention, Job 36:1-4; the different dealings of God with men are observed, and the different issue of them, and the different ends answered thereby, Job 36:5-15; and it is suggested to Job, that had he attended to the design of the providence he was under, and had submitted to it patiently, things would have been otherwise with him; and therefore Elihu proceeds to give him some advice, which, if taken, would be for his own good, and the glory of God, Job 36:16-25; and closes the chapter by observing the unsearchable greatness of God, as appears by the works of nature wrought by him, Job 36:26-33.

Cross References

• 1. Job 37:11, 16
• 2. Job 26:14
• 3. Job 37:13
• 4. Psalms 104:27; Psalms 136:25; Acts 14:17
• 5. Job 37:11, 12, 15
• 6. Job 37:2

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "booth"
• [b] Lit "light"
• [c] Lit "light"
• [d] Lit "concerning Him"