Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. New Living Translation He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target. English Standard Version He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. Berean Standard Bible He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. King James Bible With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. New King James Version He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike. New American Standard Bible “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the target. NASB 1995 “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. NASB 1977 “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. Legacy Standard Bible He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. Amplified Bible “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. Christian Standard Bible He covers his hands with lightning and commands it to hit its mark. Holman Christian Standard Bible He covers His hands with lightning and commands it to hit its mark. American Standard Version He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark. Contemporary English Version Each flash of lightning is one of his arrows striking its target, English Revised Version He covereth his hands with the lightning; and giveth it a charge that it strike the mark. GOD'S WORD® Translation He fills his hands with lightning and orders it to hit the target. Good News Translation He seizes the lightning with his hands and commands it to hit the mark. International Standard Version His hands are covered with lightning that he commands to strike his designated target. NET Bible With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target. New Heart English Bible He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. Webster's Bible Translation With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the intervening cloud. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. World English Bible He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBy two palms He has covered the light, "" And lays a charge over it in meeting, Young's Literal Translation By two palms He hath covered the light, And layeth a charge over it in meeting, Smith's Literal Translation With the hands be covered the light; and he commanded concerning it with a mark. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come again. Catholic Public Domain Version Within his hands, he hides the light, and he commands it to come forth again. New American Bible In his hands he holds the lightning, and he commands it to strike the mark. New Revised Standard Version He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe covers the light with the clouds, and then it shines upon them again that they may greet it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And with the hands he will cover the light, and he will go forth upon them that they may meet with him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He covereth His hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark. Brenton Septuagint Translation He has hidden the light in his hands, and given charge concerning it to the interposing cloud. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elihu Declares God's Justice and Power…31For by these He judges the nations and provides food in abundance. 32 He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. 33The thunder declares His presence; even the cattle regard the rising storm.… Cross References Psalm 104:32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder. Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Psalm 147:8 who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. Jeremiah 10:13 When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses. Psalm 135:7 He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses. Isaiah 45:12 It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host. Psalm 18:14 He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them. Psalm 77:17 The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. Psalm 97:4 His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones. Psalm 29:3-4 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. / The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. Psalm 68:33-34 to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds. / Ascribe the power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose strength is in the skies. Isaiah 55:10 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Acts 14:17 Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” Treasury of Scripture With clouds he covers the light; and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between. Job 26:9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. Exodus 10:21-23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt… Psalm 18:11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. Jump to Previous Betwixt Charge Cloud Clouds Commandeth Commands Covered Covereth Covers Fills Hands Lightning Mark Meeting Palms Sending Shine StrikeJump to Next Betwixt Charge Cloud Clouds Commandeth Commands Covered Covereth Covers Fills Hands Lightning Mark Meeting Palms Sending Shine StrikeJob 36 1. Elihu shows how God is just in his ways16. How Job's sins hinder God's blessings 24. God's works are to be magnified He fills His hands with lightning This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign control over nature. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lightning was often associated with divine power and judgment. The imagery of God filling His hands with lightning suggests His authority and ability to wield natural forces at His will. This can be connected to other biblical passages such as Psalm 18:14, where God sends out His arrows and scatters the enemies, and Zechariah 9:14, where God is depicted as appearing over His people with lightning. The control over lightning also reflects God's omnipotence, a theme prevalent throughout the Book of Job, as Job and his friends grapple with understanding God's power and justice. and commands it to strike its mark Persons / Places / Events 1. ElihuA young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a perspective on God's justice and power. Elihu's speeches are found in Job 32-37. 2. Job A righteous man who suffers immense trials and seeks understanding of his suffering. 3. God The Almighty Creator, whose power and wisdom are beyond human comprehension. In this verse, His control over nature is emphasized. 4. Lightning A natural phenomenon used metaphorically to illustrate God's power and precision in executing His will. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NatureThis verse illustrates God's absolute control over the natural world. Just as He commands the lightning, He governs all aspects of creation with precision and purpose. Divine Precision and Purpose The imagery of God commanding lightning to strike its mark reminds us that nothing in creation is random. God's actions are intentional and purposeful, even when we do not understand them. Trust in God's Power Recognizing God's power over nature should lead us to trust Him in our lives. If He can direct lightning, He can certainly guide our paths and circumstances. God's Justice and Judgment Lightning, often associated with judgment, serves as a reminder of God's justice. He will execute His will with accuracy, ensuring that justice is served. Humility Before God's Wisdom Elihu's speech encourages humility, acknowledging that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. We should approach Him with reverence and awe. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 36:32?2. How does Job 36:32 illustrate God's control over creation and nature? 3. What can we learn about God's power from "commands it to strike its mark"? 4. How does Job 36:32 connect with God's sovereignty in Genesis 1:1? 5. How can we trust God's guidance in our lives, as shown in Job 36:32? 6. How should understanding God's control in Job 36:32 affect our daily decisions? 7. What does Job 36:32 reveal about God's control over nature and the universe? 8. How does Job 36:32 challenge our understanding of divine intervention in human affairs? 9. In what ways does Job 36:32 illustrate God's power and authority? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 36? 11. What does the Bible say about the Angel of Death? 12. In Job 36:31-33, how does the idea that God uses storms for both judgment and provision reconcile with natural disasters that indiscriminately affect believers and unbelievers alike? 13. How does Job 28:25's statement about God 'weighing the wind' square with earlier biblical passages that treat weather as solely divine intervention? 14. Job 1:16-19 - Are there natural or scientific explanations for the rapid succession of disasters that befell Job, or is this account purely symbolic? What Does Job 36:32 Mean He fills His hands• The verse opens with God’s personal involvement: “In His hand are the depths of the earth” (Psalm 95:4). • Hands picture both intimacy and capability; He does not delegate power blindly. • Isaiah 40:12 reminds us He “measured the waters in the hollow of His hand”; every detail of creation rests securely there. • Because His hands hold creation, they also hold His people—“No one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). • Job’s sufferings are framed by this truth: the same hands that formed the universe are overseeing every event in Job’s life. with lightning • Lightning is raw, breathtaking energy. God equips Himself with it just as effortlessly as we pick up a tool. • “He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven” (Job 37:3), showing its global reach. • Psalm 135:7 says He “makes lightning for the rain,” tying bolts of fire to refreshing showers and hinting at both judgment and blessing. • Zechariah 9:14 likens His arrow to lightning, underscoring suddenness and precision. and commands it • Lightning does not roam randomly; it moves at His word. • God asks Job, “Can you send forth lightning bolts so that they go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?” (Job 38:35). The implied answer is no—only God can. • Even the weather obeys: “powerful wind fulfilling His word” (Psalm 148:8). • When Jesus calmed the sea, His authority over creation was on full display (Mark 4:39), echoing the same command power noted here. to strike its mark • Every flash has a destination picked by God. Nothing is accidental. • “His thunder announces the coming storm” (Job 37:2-13), directing rain for “punishment or for His land or for mercy.” The strike always serves a purpose. • “The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire” (Psalm 29:7); His voice and His lightning are equally precise. • Like His word that “will accomplish what I please” (Isaiah 55:11), lightning fulfills a targeted mission—judgment, warning, cleansing, or awe. summary Job 36:32 paints a vivid portrait of God’s absolute sovereignty: He personally takes lightning in hand, wields it as He wills, and never misses His intended target. The verse reassures believers that the same God who governs the fiercest forces of nature is faithfully, intentionally guiding every detail of our lives. (32) With clouds.--The word here rendered "clouds" really means hands, and there seems to be no good reason why it should be otherwise understood. The verse will then read, "He covereth the lightning with His hands, and giveth it a charge that it strike the mark;" or, according to some, "giveth it a charge against the assailant." The figure is that of a man hurling a stone or bolt, and taking aim; and a very fine one the image is. The Authorised Version cannot be right with its five inserted words.Verse 32. - With clouds he covereth the light; rather, he covereth both his hands with light, i.e. with the lightning. So Vul was represented in Assyrian and Zeus in Greek mythology, as filling their hands with thunderbolts, and hurling them upon their foes in their wrath. And commandeth it not to shine, etc. This rendering is wholly indefensible. Translate, And layeth command upon it that it strike the mark (compare the Revised Version).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He fillsכִּסָּה־ (kis·sāh-) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover His hands כַּפַּ֥יִם (kap·pa·yim) Noun - fd Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan with lightning א֑וֹר (’ō·wr) Noun - common singular Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary and commands וַיְצַ֖ו (way·ṣaw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order it עָלֶ֣יהָ (‘ā·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against to strike its mark. בְמַפְגִּֽיעַ׃ (ḇə·map̄·gî·a‘) Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6293: To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity Links Job 36:32 NIVJob 36:32 NLT Job 36:32 ESV Job 36:32 NASB Job 36:32 KJV Job 36:32 BibleApps.com Job 36:32 Biblia Paralela Job 36:32 Chinese Bible Job 36:32 French Bible Job 36:32 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 36:32 He covers his hands with the lightning (Jb) |
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