After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

JOB 37:4KJV
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Job 37:4 (KJV)

What does Job 37:4 mean?

Job 37:4 describes God’s power and majesty using the image of thunder: after lightning flashes, a mighty voice roars, and God thunders with a voice that shows His greatness. The verse emphasizes that nothing can hold back or delay His thunderous voice once it is heard.

In this verse, Elihu is speaking to Job and his friends, drawing their attention to the awe-inspiring natural displays that point to God’s authority. Elihu uses the storm as a picture of God’s overwhelming presence and power, suggesting that God’s actions are unstoppable and command attention. The verse fits into Elihu’s larger speech about God’s greatness and the limits of human understanding.

The Hebrew behind Job 37:4

  • "Voice" (קוֹל, qôl): This word often means both a literal sound and a powerful proclamation. Here, it highlights the thunder as a direct expression of God’s presence.
  • "Roareth" (שָׁאַג, sha'ag): This word is used for the roaring of a lion or thunder, emphasizing the frightening and commanding nature of the sound.
  • "Excellency" (גָּאוֹן, ga'own): This word means majesty or pride, underlining that the thunder is not just loud but a display of God’s splendor and greatness.
  • "Stay" (עָצַר, 'atsar): This word means to hold back or restrain. The verse stresses that nothing can prevent God’s voice from being heard once He chooses to speak.

Why Job 37:4 matters

  • Job 37:4 helps clear up the idea that natural events like storms are random; Elihu presents them as purposeful acts that reveal God’s character.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s power is beyond human control or interference, a key theme in the book as Job and his friends wrestle with understanding suffering and divine action.
  • By focusing on God’s unstoppable voice, the verse prepares the reader for God’s own appearance in the following chapters, where God speaks out of the storm.

Where else these words appear

“stay” Hebrew H6117 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 27:36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
  • Jeremiah 9:4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.
  • Hosea 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

“thundereth” Hebrew H7481 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
  • Psalms 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

“roareth” Hebrew H7580 · used in 17 verses

  • Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
  • Isaiah 5:29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.
  • Hosea 11:10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

“excellency” Hebrew H1347 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • Ezekiel 24:21 Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.