and covers the depths of the sea.
This part of the verse speaks to God's dominion over the seas, a common theme in biblical literature. The "depths of the sea" can symbolize chaos and the unknown, as seen in Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters. God's ability to cover the sea signifies His control over chaos and His ability to bring order. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sea was often viewed as a place of danger and mystery, and God's mastery over it would have been a powerful image of His sovereignty. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who demonstrated His authority over the sea in the New Testament, calming the storm in Mark 4:39, thus revealing His divine nature and power.

• Elihu invites Job (and us) to pause and look. This is more than a casual glance; it is a deliberate act of noticing, the way Job 37:14 says, “Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”

• Scripture often calls God’s people to “see” His deeds—Psalm 46:8, “Come, behold the works of the LORD.” The invitation carries a gentle command: open your eyes to the evidence of God’s power that is already on display.

• Lightning is not random; God “scatters” it. Job 37:3 notes that He “sends it forth under the whole heaven.” Each bolt is placed at His discretion.

• Psalm 135:7 underscores the same truth: “He makes lightning for the rain.” The storm is paint on a canvas, and God holds the brush.

• The image corrects any thought that nature runs on autopilot. Every flash demonstrates His sovereign, purposeful activity.

• Lightning radiates from the region where God’s presence is pictured. Psalm 18:12 describes “hailstones and coals of fire” from the brightness around Him.

• Habakkuk 3:4 adds, “His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from His hand.” The storm, then, is not distant; it is a personal expression of the Creator who is near and active.

• This location “around Him” reassures believers: the same God who surrounds Himself with power also surrounds His people with protection (Psalm 34:7).

• The verb “covers” suggests a blanket or garment. Just as God wraps Himself in light (Psalm 104:2), He can spread water and darkness over creation at will.

• Job 26:9 says He “covers the face of His throne and spreads His cloud over it,” blending majesty and mystery. The covering hand of God can conceal as well as reveal, depending on His purpose.

• Lightning in the skies connects to the deepest oceans below. God rules the full vertical span of creation—from highest heaven to lowest abyss.

• Psalm 77:16: “The waters saw You, O God… the depths trembled.” Even the hidden trenches answer to His authority.

• Jonah 1:4 shows this dominion in action: God hurled a great wind on the sea, stirring waves that reached into its depths.

• For Job, who has questioned why suffering runs so deep, the verse is a reminder that God’s reach goes deeper still.

Job 36:30 paints a sweeping picture: the Lord commands the lightning above, blankets creation with cloud and water, and reigns over the farthest ocean depths. Elihu calls Job to look, recognize, and rest in the God whose power is both spectacular and sovereign. The storm outside Job’s window—and the storm inside his life—are under the same flawless control.

And covereth the bottom of the sea.--Literally, it hath covered the roots of the sea: i.e., it, the lightning, or He, God, hath covered those clouds which are composed of the roots of the sea, that is, the drops of water which are exhaled from the sea.