King James Version

What Does Job 38:37 Mean?

Job 38:37 in the King James Version says “Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, stay: Heb. cause to lie down” — study this verse from Job chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, stay: Heb. cause to lie down”

Job 38:37 · KJV

Wisdom

Context

35

Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Here: Heb. Behold us?

36

Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

37

Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, stay: Heb. cause to lie down

38

When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? groweth: or, is turned into mire: Heb. is poured

39

Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, the appetite: Heb. the life

Read Job 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's questions about clouds emphasize both knowledge and power. 'Number the clouds in wisdom' (saphar shechaqim, סָפַר שְׁחָקִים) asks who possesses sufficient understanding to count and categorize atmospheric phenomena. 'Stay the bottles of heaven' (shakab niblei, שָׁכַב נִבְלֵי) uses imagery of tipping or pouring water containers—who can tip the heavenly reservoirs to release rain? The term 'bottles' (nebelim, נְבֵלִים) can also mean clouds or water-skins, emphasizing containment and controlled release. This verse reveals God's meticulous governance—He doesn't merely unleash weather randomly but numbers each cloud and measures each rainfall precisely. The 'wisdom' required transcends mere counting to include understanding the purpose and timing of each cloud formation. This points to divine providence where nothing is random or wasteful; every drop of rain serves God's sovereign purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient peoples observed clouds for weather prediction but had no understanding of atmospheric physics or meteorology. Rain was mysterious, sometimes appearing from clear skies and sometimes withholding despite cloudy conditions. God's questions highlight human ignorance of these essential life-sustaining processes, emphasizing dependence on divine provision rather than human manipulation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's precise control over weather phenomena inform your understanding of His providence in your circumstances?
  2. What areas of your life seem as unpredictable as weather, and how does this verse speak to that uncertainty?
  3. In what ways do you seek to 'number' or control what only God's wisdom can comprehend?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
מִֽי1 of 8
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יְסַפֵּ֣ר2 of 8

“Who can number”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

שְׁחָקִ֣ים3 of 8

“the clouds”

H7834

a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament

בְּחָכְמָ֑ה4 of 8

“in wisdom”

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְנִבְלֵ֥י5 of 8

“the bottles”

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם6 of 8

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

מִ֣י7 of 8
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַשְׁכִּֽיב׃8 of 8

“or who can stay”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

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 38:37 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 38:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 147:4Genesis 9:15Genesis 15:5Genesis 8:1

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