Job 36 32

Job 36:32 kjv

With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.

Job 36:32 nkjv

He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike.

Job 36:32 niv

He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.

Job 36:32 esv

He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark.

Job 36:32 nlt

He fills his hands with lightning bolts
and hurls each at its target.

Job 36 verses

Job 36 32 Meaning

Elihu declares God's absolute sovereignty and control over natural forces, specifically lightning. It conveys that God wields immense power with intentional precision, directing seemingly chaotic elements to a specific "mark" or target according to His divine will, demonstrating His purposeful governance over all creation.

Job 36 32 Context

Job 36 is part of Elihu's discourse (chapters 32-37) where he speaks after Job and the three friends have exhausted their arguments. Elihu presents a robust defense of God's wisdom, justice, and power, contrasting with the limited understanding of the other speakers. In chapter 36, he focuses on God's disciplinary and instructional purpose through suffering, but then transitions to demonstrate God's awe-inspiring greatness in nature. Verses 26-33 specifically highlight God's control over meteorological phenomena, emphasizing His incomprehensible majesty. This verse (36:32) sets the stage for a detailed description of a great storm (chapter 37), pointing to God as the orchestrator of all creation, and subtly challenging Job's complaints by portraying God as supremely sovereign, precise, and purposeful even in seemingly chaotic events. In the ancient Near East, storms and lightning were often attributed to multiple competing deities; Elihu's assertion directly confronts such polytheistic beliefs by affirming YHWH's exclusive and precise control over these mighty forces, underscoring His unique sovereignty.

Job 36 32 Word analysis

• He covers: (יָפֶס - yafeś) This is from a root suggesting to hide, wrap, or cover. It conveys a deep, intimate involvement. Rather than merely sending lightning from afar, God is depicted as holding it close, cloaked in its power, or enveloping Himself within it, indicating absolute command and ownership over this formidable natural force.
• His hands: (כַּפָּיו - kappāyw) Refers to God's divine agency and active involvement. This is anthropomorphic language, attributing human body parts to God to help convey His tangible and personal interaction with creation. Hands symbolize power, action, and dexterity, suggesting not just general control, but precise, skillful execution.
• with the lightning: (בָּאֹור - ba'or) The word 'or typically means "light." Here, contextually it refers to the bright, raw energy of lightning. The prefix ba- (with/in) signifies that lightning is not just something God emits, but something He wields or manipulates directly with His hands, highlighting its status as an instrument of His will.
• And commands it: (וַיְצַוֶּהָ - wayəṣawweha) This active verb signifies divine volition and explicit direction. It emphasizes that the lightning is not random or chaotic but is purposefully ordered by God. This reinforces His intentionality and authority over creation.
• to strike the mark: (עַל־מַפְגִּיעַ - ʻāl-maphɡiʻaʻ) The phrase implies a specific target or intended impact. The word maphgia can refer to "one who causes to strike" or the "target" itself. This asserts divine precision: every lightning flash has a predetermined destination and purpose set by God, indicating intelligent design and deliberate action, even in seemingly destructive phenomena.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• He covers His hands with the lightning: This vivid imagery suggests God's direct, personal, and complete command over lightning. It portrays Him as enveloped in its awesome power, indicating His majestic presence and the sheer magnitude of His control. It’s not a mere remote sending but an intimate wielding of raw elemental energy.
• And commands it to strike the mark: This phrase underscores God's absolute precision and purposefulness. It highlights that God’s actions in nature are not haphazard but meticulously directed, demonstrating a sovereign will behind every natural event. It implies that every flash of lightning serves a specific, divine objective.

Job 36 32 Bonus section

• The anthropomorphic depiction of God's "hands" with "lightning" is a polemic against the polytheistic storm gods prevalent in the ANE, such as Baal, who were often depicted with a lightning bolt as an attribute. Elihu attributes this power exclusively and perfectly to YHWH, emphasizing His uniqueness.
• This verse can be seen as an Elihu-led prelude to God's own direct speech in Job 38-41. Elihu builds a case for God's overwhelming power and wisdom displayed in creation, thereby preparing Job (and the reader) to better understand God's ultimate questions and revelation from the whirlwind.
• The idea of "striking the mark" indicates not only divine precision but also divine judgment or purification. While not explicitly stated as such in this verse, elsewhere in Scripture, lightning often accompanies manifestations of God's presence, judgment, or His just action in the world (e.g., Exod 19, Rev 4:5, 8:5).

Job 36 32 Commentary

Job 36:32 is a powerful statement of God's supreme sovereignty over the natural world, particularly exemplified through lightning. Elihu employs striking imagery to convey that God doesn't just create powerful forces; He is intimately engaged with them, holding them in His "hands" as instruments. The "lightning," though fearsome, is not an uncontrollable, random phenomenon, nor is it subject to any lesser god. Instead, it is precisely directed by God's explicit command to "strike the mark," signifying that every discharge serves a divine, deliberate purpose. This meticulous control over one of creation's most destructive yet swift elements illustrates God's unchallengeable power and intelligent design, presenting Him as an orchestrator rather than a detached creator. The verse challenges any perception of nature operating outside of God's will, affirming that all phenomena, even those perceived as chaotic, are purposeful and perfectly executed under His dominion. For Job and the ancient audience, it emphasized that their lives and the events within them, though mysterious, are also under the precise governance of an infinitely powerful God.