Job 37 is the 37th chapter of the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1] The book is anonymous; most scholars believe it was written around 6th century BCE. This chapter records the speech of Elihu, which belongs to the "Verdicts" section of the book, comprising –42:6.
The original text is written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 24 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008). Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls including 4Q99 (4QJob; 175–60 BCE) with extant verses 1–5, 14–15.[2] [3]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B;
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The structure of the book is as follows:
Within the structure, chapter 37 is grouped into the Verdict section with the following outline:
The section containing Elihu's speeches serves as a bridge between the Dialogue (chapters 3–31) and the speeches of YHWH (chapters 38–41). There is an introduction in the prose form (Job 32:1–5), describing Elihu's identity and circumstances that cause him to speak (starting in Job 32:6). The whole speech section can be formally divided into four monologues, each starting with a similar formula (Job 32:6; 34:1; 35:1; 36:1). Elihu's first monologue is preceded by an apologia (justification) for speaking (Job 32:6–22) and a transitionary part which introduces Elihu's main arguments (Job 33:1–7) before the speech formally commences (Job 33:8–33).
In the first three speeches Elihu cites and then disputes specific Job's charges in the preceding dialogue:
| Job's charges | Elihu's response | |
|---|---|---|
| Job 33:8–11 | Job 33:12–30 | |
| Job 34:5–9 | Job 34:10–33 | |
| Job 35:2–3 | Job 35:4–13 |
The fourth (and final) speech of Elihu comprises chapters 36–37, in which Elihu stops refuting Job's charges, but states his conclusions and verdict:
This section contains the continuation of Elihu's hymn of praise to God as Creator (Job 36:22–25; 26–29, 30–33; 37:1–5, 6–13). The storm imagery to animately describe God's work in nature anticipates God's appearance in the whirlwind (Job 38).
[Elihu said:] "God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things that we cannot comprehend."[4]
This affirms that God is perfect in knowledge (cf. ; 37:16).
In the last part of his last speech, Elihu calls Job to perceive God's great works (verses 14–20) and closing with a more general summary of God's greatness (verses 21–24). The introduction of the coming of God (verses 21–22) anticipates the appearance of God (the image of light following the storm) and the correlation between God's power and justice (verse 23) prepares for God's speeches.
[Elihu said:] "Do you know the balancings of the clouds,
the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,"[6]
. Michael D. Coogan . The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 . Coogan . Michael David . Marc Zvi . Brettler . Carol Ann . Newsom . Pheme . Perkins . Augmented 3rd . Oxford University Press . 2007 . 9780195288810 .
. Henry Hampton Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary . 24th (revised). Zondervan Publishing House . 1965 . 0-310-25720-4.