Job 37 6

Job 37:6 kjv

For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

Job 37:6 nkjv

For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.

Job 37:6 niv

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Job 37:6 esv

For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,' likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.

Job 37:6 nlt

"He directs the snow to fall on the earth
and tells the rain to pour down.

Job 37 verses

Job 37 6 Meaning

Job 37:6 proclaims God's absolute and authoritative command over the elements of nature, specifically snow and rain. It asserts that at His word, snow falls upon the earth, and rain, in all its forms—from light showers to powerful, heavy downpours—is unleashed. This verse highlights God's complete sovereignty and irresistible power demonstrated through His control over the very forces of weather that are essential for life yet also capable of great impact.

Job 37 6 Context

Job 37:6 is part of Elihu's final speech to Job and his friends, which spans chapters 32-37. In this section, Elihu continues to expound on God's majesty, wisdom, and inscrutable power, particularly as displayed through natural phenomena. He describes the grandeur of thunderstorms, lightning, and weather patterns (Job 37:1-5), building towards the assertion of God's absolute control over such elements. This verse specifically shifts from the intense power of the storm to the essential and powerful manifestations of snow and rain, emphasizing God's command over both the extraordinary and the ordinary aspects of nature's processes. Elihu’s aim is to humble Job, urging him to revere God’s immeasurable power and sovereignty, which are far beyond human comprehension or challenge. Historically and culturally, societies of the ancient Near East, dependent on weather for survival, often attributed these natural forces to various pagan deities. Elihu’s declaration unequivocally places all control and power in the hands of the One True God, Yahweh, thus serving as a strong polemic against polytheistic beliefs and a powerful affirmation of God's unique and ultimate authority.

Job 37 6 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction connects the current statement to Elihu's previous declarations about God's overwhelming power and glory in the heavens, offering an explanation or further illustration of His command over the elements.
• to the snow (לַשֶּׁלֶג - lashsheleg): Sheleg refers to snow, a less common but profoundly impactful phenomenon in much of the biblical land. Its specific mention, alongside rain, demonstrates that God's control extends to all forms of precipitation, including those that are visually striking and possess unique properties.
• He says (יֹאמַר - yomar): Derived from amar (to say, speak), this term signifies a direct, authoritative, and creative command. God doesn't merely predict or permit; He declares something to happen, and it happens. This highlights the inherent power and efficacy of God's Word, contrasting with the impotent pronouncements of false gods.
• 'Fall on the earth' / 'Be on the earth' (הֱוֵא־אָרֶץ - heveh aretz): The imperative heveh (be) emphasizes immediate and absolute obedience. Snow does not possess inherent agency; it falls because God commands it to "be on the earth" (aretz), affirming His ultimate rule over all creation and its natural processes.
• and to the shower / and to the rain (וְגֶשֶׁם - vegeshem): Geshem refers to rain in general. The repetition in the original Hebrew suggests a distinction between types of rain, highlighting God's control over the entire spectrum of precipitation.
• 'Be a mighty rain' / 'to the great rain of his strength' (מָטָר וְגֶשֶׁם מִטְרוֹת עֹז - matar vegeshem mitrot oz): The Hebrew uses two terms for rain, matar (perhaps gentle rain/drizzle, sometimes interpreted as "small rain" in older translations) and geshem mitrot oz ("rain of mighty rains," or "rain of his strength"). This phrase beautifully conveys God's precise control over the intensity and nature of rain—from soft, refreshing showers to powerful, torrents—all governed by His irresistible "strength" (oz). This detailed description underlines His absolute mastery and the immense power embedded within His divine will.

Job 37 6 Bonus section

• The passage prepares the way for the Lord's own speech in chapters 38-41, which directly challenges Job with questions about creation and the natural world, reiterating that God's wisdom and power are far beyond human comprehension.
• This verse counters ancient Near Eastern myths that attributed weather phenomena to numerous, often conflicting, deities or to an impersonal, chaotic natural order. Elihu firmly anchors all weather events in the singular, purposeful command of the one true God, highlighting His active and intentional involvement in His creation.
• The progression from thunder/lightning (Job 37:1-5) to snow and various types of rain (Job 37:6) illustrates God's comprehensive dominion, encompassing both awe-inspiring storms and life-sustaining precipitation, signifying that nothing in the atmosphere is outside His direct management.

Job 37 6 Commentary

Elihu's discourse culminates in Job 37 with a profound presentation of God's irresistible power, which finds its full expression in His sovereign control over natural phenomena. This verse serves as a potent example: God's word is not mere instruction; it is the force that brings things into being and sets them in motion. He says to the snow, and it falls; He says to the rain, and it becomes a mighty torrent. This demonstrates an immediate and complete submission of creation to its Creator. The implication is that if God holds such absolute command over the wild and powerful forces of weather, how much more does He sovereignly govern the lives of humanity. It diminishes any human claim to understanding or controlling such grand forces, thus humbling humanity before divine omnipotence and compelling awe and submission. The practical application is to live in profound reverence for the God who sustains all things by His word, trusting in His providence over all circumstances, knowing that His power governs even the snow and the rain.