Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? New Living Translation Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill? English Standard Version Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, Berean Standard Bible Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? King James Bible Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? New King James Version Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge? New American Standard Bible “Do you know about the hovering of the clouds, The wonders of One who is perfect in knowledge, NASB 1995 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge, NASB 1977 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge, Legacy Standard Bible Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge, Amplified Bible “Do you know about the layers of thick clouds [and how they are balanced and poised in the heavens], The wonderful works of Him who is perfect in knowledge, Christian Standard Bible Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonderful works of him who has perfect knowledge? Holman Christian Standard Bible Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonderful works of Him who has perfect knowledge? American Standard Version Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Contemporary English Version of God who knows all things? Or how he hangs the clouds in empty space? English Revised Version Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? GOD'S WORD® Translation Do you know how the clouds drift (these are the miracles of the one who knows everything), Good News Translation Do you know how clouds float in the sky, the work of God's amazing skill? International Standard Version Do you understand his wondrous work of balancing the clouds, the one whose knowledge is perfect, NET Bible Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge? New Heart English Bible Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Webster's Bible Translation Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDo you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? World English Bible Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDo you know the balancings of a cloud? The wonders of the Perfect in knowledge? Young's Literal Translation Dost thou know the balancings of a cloud? The wonders of the Perfect in knowledge? Smith's Literal Translation Shalt thou know upon the poisings of the cloud, the wonders of the complete of knowledges? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleKnowest thou the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect knowledges? Catholic Public Domain Version Do you know the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect sciences? New American Bible Do you know how the clouds are banked, the marvels of him who is perfect in knowledge? New Revised Standard Version Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDo you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Do you know the going forth of clouds and the wonders of him who is without defect in knowledge? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge? Brenton Septuagint Translation And he knows the divisions of the clouds, and the signal overthrows of the ungodly. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty…15Do you know how God dispatches the clouds or makes the lightning flash? 16Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? 17You whose clothes get hot when the land lies hushed under the south wind,… Cross References Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. Proverbs 3:19-20 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. / By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew. Jeremiah 10:12-13 The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. / 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. Romans 11:33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! Colossians 2:2-3 that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Psalm 104:24 How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Daniel 2:20-22 and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:9-10 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. / His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, Proverbs 8:22-31 The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. ... Treasury of Scripture Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? the balancings Job 26:8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? Psalm 104:2,3 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: … perfect Job 36:4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee. Psalm 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Jump to Previous Cloud Clouds Hang Layers Perfect Poised Thick Wisdom Wonders Wondrous Workings WorksJump to Next Cloud Clouds Hang Layers Perfect Poised Thick Wisdom Wonders Wondrous Workings WorksJob 37 1. God is to be feared because of his great works15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them Do you understand how the clouds float This phrase challenges human understanding of natural phenomena, emphasizing the limitations of human knowledge compared to God's omniscience. In the ancient Near Eastern context, clouds were often seen as symbols of divine presence and power, as seen in Exodus 13:21, where God leads the Israelites with a pillar of cloud. The floating of clouds can also be seen as a metaphor for God's sovereignty and the mystery of His creation, as described in Psalm 104:3, where God is depicted as laying the beams of His chambers on the waters and making the clouds His chariot. those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. The book of Job explores his suffering and the discussions between him and his friends about the nature of God and human suffering. 2. Elihu A younger friend of Job who speaks in chapters 32-37. He offers a perspective on God's majesty and justice, emphasizing God's wisdom and power. 3. God's Creation The verse references the natural world, specifically the clouds, as a testament to God's wisdom and power. 4. The Heavens The sky and clouds are used as symbols of God's creation and His incomprehensible knowledge. 5. The Wonders of God The verse highlights the marvels of God's creation, pointing to His perfect knowledge and the mysteries beyond human understanding. Teaching Points God's Perfect KnowledgeGod's understanding is complete and perfect, far beyond human comprehension. We are reminded to trust in His wisdom, even when we do not understand our circumstances. The Majesty of Creation The natural world, including the clouds, serves as a testament to God's creative power. Observing creation can lead us to worship and reverence for God. Humility Before God Recognizing our limited understanding compared to God's perfect knowledge should lead us to humility. We are called to submit to His will and trust in His plans. Faith in the Unknown Just as we cannot fully understand how clouds float, there are many aspects of life and God's plan that remain mysteries. Faith involves trusting God despite these unknowns. Reflecting on God's Wonders Taking time to reflect on the wonders of God's creation can strengthen our faith and remind us of His presence and power in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 37:16?2. How does Job 37:16 highlight God's omniscience and our need for humility? 3. What does "perfect in knowledge" reveal about God's character and attributes? 4. How can understanding God's wisdom in Job 37:16 strengthen our faith today? 5. How does Job 37:16 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 about trusting God? 6. How can we apply Job 37:16 to trust God's plans in difficult times? 7. How does Job 37:16 describe God's omniscience and control over creation? 8. What does Job 37:16 reveal about the nature of divine wisdom? 9. How does Job 37:16 challenge human understanding of the natural world? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 37? 11. What defines a generalist's approach to knowledge? 12. Does Job 38:22's reference to 'storehouses of snow' suggest a misunderstanding of meteorology? 13. In Job 22:12-14, Eliphaz suggests God may not see everything; how does this align with other scriptures asserting God's omniscience? 14. What defines the concept of Open Theism? What Does Job 37:16 Mean Do you understandElihu begins with a gentle but piercing question. He invites Job—and us—to measure our own understanding against God’s. Scripture often uses questions to expose human limitation (Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”; Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”). By asking “Do you understand,” the verse reminds us that even the wisest believer possesses only a fragment of divine insight. Key takeaways • Questions highlight humility, not humiliation • Recognizing our limits prepares us to receive God’s revelation (Proverbs 3:5–6) • Faith grows when we acknowledge the gap between creature and Creator how the clouds float Elihu selects clouds—everyday yet majestic—as an object lesson. Modern science still marvels at how tons of water vapor remain suspended. Scripture points to God as the engineer of weather: “He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them” (Job 37:11); “He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight” (Job 26:8). The physical phenomenon becomes a living parable of God’s sustaining power. Consider • Clouds witness to God’s ongoing providence (Psalm 104:13) • Their ordered movement refutes any claim of a chaotic, purposeless universe (Genesis 8:22) • If God governs vapor, He certainly governs human affairs (Matthew 6:30) those wonders Elihu calls clouds “wonders,” inviting awe. Scripture uses the same language for God’s miraculous acts: the Exodus (Psalm 106:7), the Incarnation (Isaiah 9:6), and redemption (Psalm 98:1). Everyday wonders keep our hearts tuned to the extraordinary acts of God. Practical reflection • Cultivate thanksgiving for “ordinary” miracles (James 1:17) • Let creation’s wonders fuel worship, not idle curiosity (Psalm 19:1) • Marveling at nature trains us to trust God in trials (Romans 1:20) of Him who is perfect in knowledge The verse ends by anchoring all observation in God’s character. “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). God’s omniscience frames the entire book of Job: nothing escapes Him, including Job’s suffering, integrity, and future restoration (Job 42:2). Unlike human knowledge—partial and error-prone—God’s knowledge is flawless, comprehensive, and benevolent. Implications • When answers elude us, God’s perfect knowledge is enough (Isaiah 55:8–9) • Trust, not total explanation, is the believer’s rightful response (Proverbs 30:5) • The doctrine of divine omniscience assures that justice will ultimately prevail (Ecclesiastes 12:14) summary Job 37:16 gently exposes human limitation, celebrates God’s sustaining power displayed in the clouds, calls us to marvel at everyday wonders, and exalts the Lord whose knowledge is perfect. By acknowledging what we do not understand, we are freed to trust the One who understands all things—and who governs both the heavens above and the trials below with flawless wisdom. (16) The balancings of the clouds.--How they are poised and suspended in the sky. "Ye clouds, that far above me float and pause."--Coleridge.Verse 16. - Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds? i.e. "how they are poised and suspended in the sky" (Stanley Loathes). The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge (comp. Job 36:5).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Do you understandהֲ֭תֵדַע (hă·ṯê·ḏa‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know how עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the clouds עָ֑ב (‘āḇ) Noun - common singular Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse float, מִפְלְשֵׂי־ (mip̄·lə·śê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4657: A swaying, poising those wonders מִ֝פְלְא֗וֹת (mip̄·lə·’ō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 4652: A wondrous work of Him who is perfect תְּמִ֣ים (tə·mîm) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth in knowledge? דֵּעִֽים׃ (dê·‘îm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1843: Knowledge, opinion Links Job 37:16 NIVJob 37:16 NLT Job 37:16 ESV Job 37:16 NASB Job 37:16 KJV Job 37:16 BibleApps.com Job 37:16 Biblia Paralela Job 37:16 Chinese Bible Job 37:16 French Bible Job 37:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 37:16 Do you know the workings (Jb) |