Job 37:10
New International Version
The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.

New Living Translation
God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.

English Standard Version
By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.

Berean Standard Bible
By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen.

King James Bible
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

New King James Version
By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen.

New American Standard Bible
“From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

NASB 1995
“From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

NASB 1977
“From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

Legacy Standard Bible
From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

Amplified Bible
“Ice is made by the breath of God, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

Christian Standard Bible
Ice is formed by the breath of God, and watery expanses are frozen.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ice is formed by the breath of God, and watery expanses are frozen.

American Standard Version
By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Contemporary English Version
and the breath of God freezes streams and rivers.

English Revised Version
By the breath of God ice is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God's breath produces ice, and the seas freeze over.

Good News Translation
The breath of God freezes the waters, and turns them to solid ice.

International Standard Version
From the breath of God ice is produced, and a wide body of water is frozen.

Majority Standard Bible
By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen.

NET Bible
The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid.

New Heart English Bible
By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.

Webster's Bible Translation
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

World English Bible
By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From the breath of God is frost given, "" And the breadth of waters is constricted,

Young's Literal Translation
From the breath of God is frost given, And the breadth of waters is straitened,

Smith's Literal Translation
From the breath of God ice will be given, and the breadth of the waters in being straitened.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When God bloweth there cometh frost, and again the waters are poured out abundantly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
As God breathes out, frost forms, and the waters are poured forth very widely again.

New American Bible
With his breath God brings the frost, and the broad waters congeal.

New Revised Standard Version
By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
By the breath of God ice is given; and he causes abundant water to pour down.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And from the breath of God will be given ice crystal, and a multitude of waters going down
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
By the breath of God ice is given, And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And from the breath of the Mighty One he will send frost; and he guides the water in whatever way he pleases.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty
9The tempest comes from its chamber, and the cold from the driving north winds. 10By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen. 11He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them.…

Cross References
Psalm 147:17-18
He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast? / He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.

Job 38:29-30
From whose womb does the ice emerge? Who gives birth to the frost from heaven, / when the waters become hard as stone and the surface of the deep is frozen?

Isaiah 40:7
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.

Psalm 33:6-7
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. / He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses.

Genesis 8:22
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”

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 148:8
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,

Isaiah 55:10-11
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, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Amos 4:7
“I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered.

Psalm 104:32
He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.

Isaiah 44:27
who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’

Genesis 1:9
And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so.

Matthew 8:26-27
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:24-25
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”


Treasury of Scripture

By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Job 38:29,30
Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? …

Psalm 78:47
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

Psalm 147:16-18
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes…

Jump to Previous
Breadth Breath Broad Expanse Fast Frost Frozen Ice Produces Shut Straitened Waters Wide
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Breadth Breath Broad Expanse Fast Frost Frozen Ice Produces Shut Straitened Waters Wide
Job 37
1. God is to be feared because of his great works
15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them














By the breath of God
This phrase emphasizes the power and sovereignty of God in creation. The "breath of God" is a metaphor for His divine command and authority, reminiscent of Genesis 1, where God speaks creation into existence. It also echoes the idea of God's Spirit or "breath" giving life, as seen in Genesis 2:7 when God breathes life into Adam. This highlights God's control over nature and His ability to bring about change in the natural world.

the ice is formed
Ice formation is a natural process that demonstrates God's control over the elements. In the ancient Near East, where the climate was predominantly arid and warm, ice would have been a powerful symbol of God's ability to alter the environment. This phrase can be seen as a reminder of God's provision and the changing seasons, which are under His command. It also reflects the idea that God can bring about conditions that are beyond human control or understanding.

and the watery expanses are frozen.
This part of the verse illustrates God's dominion over the waters, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. In the biblical context, water often symbolizes chaos and disorder, as seen in Genesis 1:2. God's ability to freeze the watery expanses signifies His power to bring order and stability. This can be connected to other biblical events, such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, where God demonstrates His control over the waters to deliver His people. The freezing of water can also be seen as a metaphor for God's judgment, as in the story of the Flood in Genesis 6-9, where water is used as an instrument of divine justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, Job is the central figure in the Book of Job. He undergoes severe trials and suffering, which lead to profound discussions about God's nature and human suffering.

2. Elihu
A young man who speaks to Job and his friends in chapters 32-37. Elihu offers a perspective on God's majesty and justice, emphasizing God's power and wisdom in creation.

3. God's Creation
The verse highlights God's control over nature, specifically the formation of ice and the freezing of waters, demonstrating His sovereignty over the natural world.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Nature
God's control over the elements reminds us of His ultimate authority and power. Just as He forms ice with His breath, He governs all aspects of creation.

The Majesty of God
The imagery of ice and frozen waters points to the majesty and awe-inspiring nature of God. Reflecting on His creation can lead us to worship and reverence.

Trust in God's Control
Understanding that God controls even the smallest details of nature can encourage us to trust Him with the details of our lives, knowing He is capable and caring.

The Power of God's Word
Just as God's breath forms ice, His word is powerful and effective. We can rely on His promises and commands, knowing they will accomplish His purposes.

Reflection on God's Creation
Observing the natural world can deepen our appreciation for God's creativity and power, leading us to praise Him for His handiwork.(10) The breadth of the waters is straitened.--Firm, like a molten mass.

Verse 10. - By the breath of God frost is given (comp. Psalm 147:16-18). "The breath of God," which is a metaphor for the will of God, causes alike both frost and thaw. And the breadth of the waters is straitened; or, congealed. A broad expanse of water is suddenly turned by frost into a stiff and solid mass.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
By the breath
מִנִּשְׁמַת־ (min·niš·maṯ-)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5397: A puff, wind, angry, vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect, an animal

of God
אֵ֥ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

the ice
קָ֑רַח (qā·raḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7140: Ice, hail, rock crystal

is formed
יִתֶּן־ (yit·ten-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

and the watery
מַ֣יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

expanses
וְרֹ֖חַב (wə·rō·ḥaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7341: Breadth, width

are frozen.
בְּמוּצָֽק׃ (bə·mū·ṣāq)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4164: Narrowness, distress


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OT Poetry: Job 37:10 By the breath of God ice (Jb)
Job 37:9
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