Job 38:35
New International Version
Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

New Living Translation
Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct?

English Standard Version
Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?

Berean Standard Bible
Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

King James Bible
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

New King James Version
Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, And say to you, ‘Here we are!’?

New American Standard Bible
“Can you send flashes of lightning, so that they may go And say to you, ‘Here we are’?

NASB 1995
“Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, ‘Here we are’?

NASB 1977
“Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, ‘Here we are’?

Legacy Standard Bible
Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, ‘Here we are’?

Amplified Bible
“Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, ‘Here we are’?

Christian Standard Bible
Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Do they report to you, “Here we are”?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Do they report to you: “Here we are"?

American Standard Version
Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go, And say unto thee, Here we are?

Contemporary English Version
or will lightning flash at your command?

English Revised Version
Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Can you send lightning flashes so that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'?

Good News Translation
And if you command the lightning to flash, will it come to you and say, "At your service"?

International Standard Version
Can you command the lightning, so that it goes forth and calls to you, 'Look at us!'

Majority Standard Bible
Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

NET Bible
Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Will they say to you, 'Here we are'?

New Heart English Bible
Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, 'Here we are?'

Webster's Bible Translation
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say to thee, Here we are?

World English Bible
Can you send out lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do you send out lightnings, and they go "" And say to you, Behold us?

Young's Literal Translation
Dost thou send out lightnings, and they go And say unto thee, 'Behold us?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Shalt thou send lightnings, and shall they go and shall they say to thee, Behold us?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Canst thou send lightnings, and will they go, and will they return and say to thee : Here we are?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Can you send forth lightning bolts, and will they go, and on returning, say to you: “Here we are?”

New American Bible
Can you send forth the lightnings on their way, so that they say to you, “Here we are”?

New Revised Standard Version
Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Can you send forth the lightnings, that they may go, and say to you. Here we are?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Are you sending lightnings and they go and say to you: ‘Here we are!’?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go, And say unto thee: 'Here we are'?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And wilt thou send lightnings, and they shall go? and shall they say to thee, What is thy pleasure?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Challenges Job
34Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you? 35Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? 36Who has put wisdom in the heart or given understanding to the mind?…

Cross References
Psalm 147:15
He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.

Psalm 104:3
laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind.

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 18:13-14
The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded—hailstones and coals of fire. / He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them.

Isaiah 55:11
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.

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.

Jeremiah 51:16
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.

Exodus 9:23
So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt.

1 Samuel 12:17-18
Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.” / So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

2 Samuel 22:14-15
The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. / He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them.

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!”

John 12:28-29
Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” / The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him.

Acts 9:3-4
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”


Treasury of Scripture

Can you send lightning, that they may go and say to you, Here we are?

Canst

Exodus 9:23-25,29
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt…

Leviticus 10:2
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

Numbers 11:1
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Here we are.

1 Samuel 22:12
And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 65:1
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

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Job 38
1. God challenges Job to answer
4. God, by his mighty works, convinces Job of ignorance
31. and weakness














Can you send
This phrase challenges human ability and authority, contrasting it with God's omnipotence. The Hebrew root for "send" is "שָׁלַח" (shalach), which implies dispatching or commissioning with purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sending lightning was a divine prerogative, emphasizing God's control over nature. This rhetorical question underscores human limitations and invites reflection on the divine order and sovereignty.

the lightning bolts
The Hebrew word for "lightning" is "בָּרָק" (baraq), often associated with divine power and presence. Lightning in the ancient world was seen as a manifestation of divine intervention or communication. Archaeological findings, such as ancient inscriptions and iconography, depict deities wielding lightning, reinforcing the idea of divine authority over natural phenomena. In the biblical narrative, lightning symbolizes God's might and the awe-inspiring aspects of His creation.

on their way?
This phrase suggests a journey or mission, implying intentionality and direction. The Hebrew concept of a "way" or "path" often denotes a course of action or destiny. In the context of Job, it highlights the ordered and purposeful nature of God's creation, contrasting with human inability to command or direct such forces. It serves as a reminder of the divine orchestration behind the natural world.

Do they report to you
The notion of lightning reporting to a human is an absurdity, emphasizing the vast chasm between human and divine authority. The Hebrew root "עָנָה" (anah) for "report" conveys the idea of responding or answering, often used in contexts of accountability or submission. This rhetorical question underscores the theme of divine governance, where even the elements of nature are subject to God's command, not man's.

‘Here we are’?
This phrase personifies the lightning, suggesting readiness and obedience to a command. The Hebrew "הִנֵּנִי" (hineni) is a term of availability and willingness, often used in scriptural contexts where individuals respond to God's call. This personification serves to highlight the immediacy and responsiveness of creation to God's will, contrasting with human limitations. It inspires awe and reverence for the Creator, who commands with authority and purpose.

Verse 35. - Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Hers we are? If Job cannot command the clouds, much less can he send (or rather, send forth) lightnings - these marvellous and terrible evidences of almighty power. Even now, with all our command of electricity, our savants would, from the best electrical ms-chine, find it difficult to produce the effects which often result from a single flash of lightning.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Can you send
הַֽתְשַׁלַּ֣ח (haṯ·šal·laḥ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the lightning bolts
בְּרָקִ֣ים (bə·rā·qîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1300: Lightning, a gleam, a flashing sword

on their way?
וְיֵלֵ֑כוּ (wə·yê·lê·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

Do they report
וְיֹאמְר֖וּ (wə·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to you,
לְךָ֣ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

‘Here we are’?
הִנֵּֽנוּ׃ (hin·nê·nū)
Interjection | first person common plural
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!


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OT Poetry: Job 38:35 Can you send forth lightnings that they (Jb)
Job 38:34
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