Job 37 2

Job 37:2 kjv

Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

Job 37:2 nkjv

Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.

Job 37:2 niv

Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

Job 37:2 esv

Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

Job 37:2 nlt

Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice
as it rolls from his mouth.

Job 37 verses

Job 37 2 Meaning

Job 37:2 issues a powerful directive to observe and comprehend God's voice and the sounds emanating from His being. It highlights the divine manifestation through natural phenomena, particularly intense weather events like storms or thunder, which Elihu presents as clear indicators of God's immense power, active presence, and ultimate wisdom, demanding the profound attention and reverent awe of humanity.

Job 37 2 Context

This verse is part of Elihu's final discourse (Job chapters 32-37) to Job and his friends. Having critiqued the arguments of the other three friends and Job's self-justification, Elihu attempts to bridge the gap between human experience of suffering and God's just, sovereign rule. In chapter 37, Elihu specifically uses the overwhelming power and mystery of a severe storm and natural phenomena (lightning, clouds, thunder) as a dramatic illustration of God's unsearchable greatness and wisdom. He emphasizes human limitations in comprehending God's work in nature, thus implying a greater inability to understand His providential dealings in Job's life. Job 37:2 is a direct command from Elihu, urging attentive hearing and contemplation of these majestic manifestations of God, serving as a setup for the eventual appearance of the Lord in a whirlwind (Job 38). It's a call to observe the world around them as a testament to the character and power of the Creator.

Job 37 2 Word analysis

• Hear attentively: The Hebrew phrase is שִׁמְעוּ שָׁמוֹעַ (shim'u shamoa'), which uses an infinitive absolute with the imperative of the verb "to hear" (shama). This grammatical construction signifies intense, emphatic, or diligent hearing—not just casual listening, but paying very close, deliberate, and sustained attention. It's a call to heed profoundly and internalize the message.
• the noise of His voice: The Hebrew is קוֹלוֹ (qolo), referring to "His voice" or "His sound." In the context of Job 37, "voice" here clearly relates to thunder, a powerful, awe-inspiring manifestation often described as God's voice throughout Scripture (e.g., Ps 29). It denotes God's powerful auditory presence in creation.
• and the sound that goeth out of His mouth: The word "sound" here is הֶגְיוֹנוֹ (hegyono), which is quite nuanced. While it can mean "muttering" or "growling" (fitting the context of thunder), it also carries the sense of "meditation," "musings," or "deep rumbling." This suggests that the sound of the thunder is not random noise but a deliberate, purposeful emanation reflecting God's wise and contemplative will. It "goes out" (יֵצֵא, yetze), indicating that it originates directly from Him and is actively sent forth. "His mouth" (פִּיו, piv) is an anthropomorphic expression, underscoring that these powerful natural sounds are direct and intentional utterances from God, not merely chaotic natural events. It speaks to God's direct agency and communication through creation.

• "Hear attentively... and the sound that goeth out of His mouth": This phrase-group serves as an imperative to focus deeply on the auditory aspects of God's revelation in nature. Elihu commands Job and others to not merely perceive the loud, natural noises (like thunder) but to interpret them as intentional "sounds from God's mouth," thereby implying divine communication and the revelation of His sovereign control and wise purpose.
• "noise of His voice, and the sound": The repetition of terms like "noise" and "sound," alongside "voice," emphasizes the multi-faceted auditory experience of God's self-revelation. It implies that every element of the natural thunder, from its booming beginning to its prolonged rumbling, conveys divine significance, reflecting the layers of God's presence and power.

Job 37 2 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on God's voice emanating from "His mouth" is a powerful polemic against any pagan views of nature or the idea of chaotic, unguided forces. Elihu clearly articulates that the formidable elements of the natural world are under the direct, intentional command of Yahweh, not a result of competing deities or chance. The specific term hegyono ("sound," often translated as "musing" or "deep utterance") highlights that the manifestation of God's power in nature is not just raw force, but also an expression of His profound wisdom and deliberate will, reflecting His thoughts and purposes. This prepares the hearer not just for a demonstration of power but for a revelation of divine thought, foreshadowing God's extensive questioning of Job in later chapters regarding the wisdom of creation.

Job 37 2 Commentary

Job 37:2 encapsulates Elihu's core message: humanity must listen intently and perceive the majesty of God displayed in the natural world. He directs attention away from Job's personal grievances towards the awe-inspiring reality of God's power as evidenced by thunder and storms. This is not mere weather observation but an invitation to hear the divine narrative embedded within creation. The emphasis on "His voice" and the sound from "His mouth" asserts God's intentionality and direct involvement in every aspect of the cosmos. For Elihu, the rumbling thunder is God's profound, contemplative utterance—a clear signal of His presence, power, and wisdom. This divine sound serves as a prelude to the true Voice of God in Job 38, calling all to humility and reverence before an unsearchable God.

Practical usage:

• To acknowledge God's presence in natural phenomena, turning moments like a thunderstorm into an opportunity for worship and reflection on His power.
• To cultivate a habit of listening beyond superficial noise for deeper spiritual messages and divine revelation in daily life.