King James Version

What Does Job 37:6 Mean?

Job 37:6 in the King James Version says “For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. likew...” — study this verse from Job chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. likewise: Heb. and to the shower of rain, and to the showers of rain of his strength”

Job 37:6 · KJV

Strength

Context

4

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

5

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

6

For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. likewise: Heb. and to the shower of rain, and to the showers of rain of his strength

7

He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

8

Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth (le-sheleg 'emor heyeh-'arets, לַשֶּׁלֶג אֱמֹר הֱיֶה־אָרֶץ)—The imperative 'emor ('say' or 'be') personalizes God's command to inanimate creation. Snow and rain don't mechanically fall—they obey divine orders. The great rain of his strength (geshem 'oz, גֶּשֶׁם עֹז) literally means 'rain of might,' depicting torrential downpours as demonstrations of divine power.

This verse presents weather as God's direct speech-act, anticipating New Testament theology where Christ commands wind and waves (Mark 4:39). Creation responds to God's imperative word just as it did in Genesis 1: 'Let there be...' The same Hebrew verb hayah (הָיָה, 'be') that creates existence now commands weather patterns.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, precipitation was attributed to competing deities in elaborate mythologies. Elihu's monotheistic meteorology insists on singular divine sovereignty—YHWH alone commands snow and rain. This was revolutionary in a world where farmers prayed to multiple weather gods.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's personal address to snow and rain reveal about His relationship with creation versus deistic detachment?
  2. How does viewing weather as divine speech rather than random chance reshape your response to seasons of drought or abundance?
  3. Where else in Scripture does God command nature with a word, and what does this say about Christ's nature miracles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כִּ֤י1 of 10
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לַשֶּׁ֨לַג׀2 of 10

“to the snow”

H7950

snow (probably from its whiteness)

יֹאמַ֗ר3 of 10

“For he saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֱוֵ֫א4 of 10

“Be thou”

H1933

to be (in the sense of existence)

אָ֥רֶץ5 of 10

“on the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְ֝גֶ֗שֶׁם6 of 10

“rain”

H1653

a shower

מִטְר֥וֹת7 of 10

“and to the great”

H4306

rain

וְ֝גֶ֗שֶׁם8 of 10

“rain”

H1653

a shower

מִטְר֥וֹת9 of 10

“and to the great”

H4306

rain

עֻזּֽוֹ׃10 of 10

“of his strength”

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 37:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 37:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 38:22Job 36:27Psalms 147:16-18Ezekiel 13:13Ezra 10:13Ezra 10:9

Test Your Knowledge

Job 37 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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